3 More Members of Iranian Soccer Team Decide to Return Home After Being Granted Asylum in Australia

Four of seven Iranian women’s soccer team members who had accepted asylum in Australia have since left the country.

Iran players pose for a team photo ahead of the Women's Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, on March 8, 2026. Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP

Three members of Iran’s women’s soccer team who had sought asylum in Australia have elected to return to their home country this weekend, the Australian government has announced.

“Overnight, three members of the Iranian Women’s Football Team made the decision to join the rest of the team on their journey back to Iran,” Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced in a statement on March 15.