Five members of Iran's women's national soccer team, Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari (team captain), Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi, have received humanitarian visas in Australia, allowing them to stay permanently with rights to live, work and study.
The players sought protection after the team's elimination from the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.
Australian Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, confirmed the visas were processed and approved around 01:30 local time, Tuesday, after he met the women at a safe location after Australian Federal Police moved them there from their Gold Coast Hotel on Monday, March 9, 2026.
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Burke said, "They want to be clear they are not political activists. They are athletes who want to be safe."
The decision followed fears of persecution if they returned to Iran.
Iranian media labeled the team 'traitors' after players did not sing the national anthem before their opening match against South Korea amid the ongoing Middle-East conflict.
The team lost 2-0 to the Philippines on Sunday, March 8, 2026, ending their tournament run in Gold Coast, Queensland.
Talks began in earnest on Monday when it became clear five women wanted to stay, as Burke stated he signed off on their applications after meeting them, as reported by BBC.
He added, "I say to the other members of the team, the same opportunity is there. Australia has taken the Iranian women's soccer team into our hearts. These women are tremendously popular in Australia. But we realise they are in a terribly difficult situation with the decisions that they're making."
The remaining team members headed to Gold Coast Airport on Tuesday for a flight to Sydney. Supporters gathered at the airport, some shining torches in support.
The BBC witnessed minders running across the hotel to search for the five players shortly after they left on Monday, but they had already departed with police assistance.
U.S President, Donald Trump spoke to Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, urging asylum for the team.
Albanese confirmed officials worked on the matter, stating help was available if wanted as the humanitarian visa program provides permanent protection to those in need.
It remains unclear what effects this may have on the players' families in Iran.
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