From ‘Traitors’ To ‘Daughters’: Iran Welcomes Women's Footballers After Asylum Row | WATCH

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 22:04 IST

Footage of the Iran’s women’s team returning home to cheers after an asylum saga in Australia was posted by state media.

Iran’s women’s national team stepped back onto home soil this week, greeted as heroes, just days after a chaotic asylum saga in Australia.

State media footage showed flowers, cheers, and officials lining up to welcome the squad.

But the symbolism was hard to ignore.

Players were seen walking across American and Israeli flags, a moment that appeared carefully staged and widely circulated.

From Controversy to Celebration

The contrast from just days earlier was stark.

During the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, several players had refused to sing the national anthem–  an act that quickly spiralled into controversy back home.

They were branded “traitors" by state media, triggering fears of repercussions.

Soon after, at least seven members of the delegation sought asylum in Australia, citing concerns over their safety if they returned.

But the situation shifted rapidly. Within days, most reversed their decisions and rejoined the squad for the journey home, travelling via Turkey amid rising geopolitical tensions.

“They Returned With Pride"

Upon the players’ return, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised the players as loyal daughters of the nation.

“Our daughters, despite all the malice of the enemies of this country, have not become disillusioned with themselves; they have not surrendered to the temptations and intimidation of the Iran-haters,"  Ghalibaf said in a social media post.

“They will return with pride to their eternal home, Iran."

Iranian news agency Mehr published images of a small welcome party waving flags on the Iranian side of the border, as well as the team and staff sat on a stage with a red carpet.

“We have all gathered here to say well done and to express our appreciation," the president of Iran’s Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, was quoted as saying. “Although they are women, they showed manly courage and strength," he added.

Midfielder Mohaddeseh Zolfi, speaking to Tasnim News, also pushed back against claims of coercion, insisting, “We feel a sense of security and happiness."

A Split Reality Emerges

Outside Iran, however, a very different story continued to unfold.

Rights groups and former athletes raised concerns that players may have faced pressure, including potential threats to family members, to withdraw their asylum requests.

Experts pointed to past cases where athletes critical of the regime faced severe consequences, making the sudden reversal difficult to view in isolation.

Not everyone returned. Two players — Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh — remained in Australia, training with Brisbane Roar and pursuing a different path.

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