Family Kidnap Claims Emerge as Iranian Soccer Players Return

Former Iranian soccer player Shiva Amini said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had placed ‘intense and systematic pressure’ on families of the group.

Iran captain Zahra Ghanbari (c) seen following the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group A match between Iran and Philippines on the Gold Coast, Australia, on March 8, 2026. AAP Image/Dave Hunt

The captain of the Iranian women’s soccer team followed her players in leaving Australia and withdrawing asylum claims because their families are being targeted by the regime, a diaspora community group says.

Zahra Ghanbari became the fifth member of the team to change her mind after accepting an offer to stay in the country at the end of the Women’s Asian Cup.