United States President Donald Trump has publicly called on the Australian government to grant asylum to members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team, warning that forcing them to return home could endanger their lives following their participation in the ongoing Asian Cup in Gold Coast.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, March 10, 2026, Trump wrote:
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iranian Women's National Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don't do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give asylum. The U.S. will take them if you won't. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President Donald J. Trump.”
The plea comes after the Iranian team was eliminated from the tournament on Sunday following a 2–0 loss to the Philippines. The players faced immediate backlash in Iranian state-affiliated media, where they were labeled “traitors” for reportedly refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match — a symbolic act of protest amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
During the team’s departure from the stadium after elimination, one player was filmed inside the team bus performing the internationally recognised SOS distress signal: tucking her thumb into her palm and folding her fingers over it — a gesture widely interpreted as a plea for help.
The incident has heightened concerns for the players’ safety if they return to Iran, where dissent — including symbolic gestures during international competitions — has previously led to arrests, imprisonment, or worse, particularly in the context of the ongoing war and domestic crackdowns.
FIFA issued a statement on Monday confirming it was in “close contact” with Australian authorities regarding the team’s situation, stressing that “the safety and security of the players is our priority.”
Speaking at FIFA’s general assembly in Sydney on Sunday, Beau Busch, president of FIFPRO for Asia/Oceania (the global players’ union), said the union had been unable to reach the Iranian squad directly. He called on FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the Australian government to ensure the players retain full agency over their decisions.
“We've been asking [the Australian government] to work on the players having agency,” Busch said. “It's a really challenging situation. There may be players who want to return. There may be some players within the group who would like to seek asylum or would like to stay in Australia for longer. There may be some who are incredibly concerned about the potential journey home.”
The players reportedly sang the national anthem and performed the salute in their final two matches, but their initial refusal in the opener drew sharp criticism from hardline supporters of the Iranian regime.
The broader regional context has further complicated the situation. The US–Israel military campaign against Iran, which began with strikes on February 28, 2026, has triggered Iranian retaliatory attacks on US bases and facilities in Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. These developments have disrupted regional air travel, visa processing, and logistics, raising concerns about safe passage for teams and delegations.
In related football developments, Iraq coach Graham Arnold suggested alternative arrangements for Iraq’s upcoming World Cup playoff match against Bolivia or Suriname, scheduled for March 31 in Mexico. Speaking to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), Arnold proposed shifting the fixture earlier to allow the winner to remain in North America ahead of the June finals. He also floated the possibility that if Iran withdraws from the World Cup due to the conflict, Iraq could potentially take their place, with the UAE stepping in as a replacement in the playoff bracket.
As the Asian Cup concludes and the Iranian team prepares to depart Australia, international attention remains focused on the players’ safety and freedom of choice. The Australian government has not yet issued an official response to President Trump’s public appeal, while FIFA and AFC continue to monitor the situation closely. The case has reignited global conversations about the intersection of sport, politics, human rights, and athlete protection in times of geopolitical crisis.
