In a post on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Australian authorities not to send the players back to Iran, warning that doing so could put their lives at risk. He called on the Australian prime minister to grant them asylum and said the United States would be willing to accept them if Australia does not.
His comments came after reports from Australia’s Gold Coast that five members of the Iran women’s national team left their hotel and separated from the team during the tournament.
According to the reports, the players — Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, and Mona Hamoudi — have requested asylum after leaving the team camp.
Sources added that the five athletes are currently in a safe location while their situation is being reviewed.
The developments have drawn international attention as questions continue about the players’ future and the response from Australian authorities.
Reports also suggest that concerns about the players’ safety increased after comments made by a television host in Iran. The presenter said members of the Iran women’s national soccer team should be treated like “traitors” for not singing the national anthem before a match. Following those remarks, worries grew about the players’ security if they were forced to return to Iran.
