New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Monday warned Australia against sending the Iran women’s team back home, stating that it would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake”. Trump has joined calls for granting asylum to the Iranian players amid growing concerns over their safety after they refused to sing their national anthem during their opening match in the ongoing AFC Women’s Asia Cup in Australia.
The Iranian women’s national football team is currently in Gold Coast, Australia, where they took part in the Women’s Asia Cup. Before their opening game against South Africa in the tournament last week, the Iranian players stood silent during their national anthem, in what was perceived as a mark of protest against the Iranian regime.
Their gesture came as Israel and US attacked Iran. Iran were eliminated from the Women’s Asia Cup on Sunday after losing 2-0 to the Philippines. As the team prepares to return home, there has been intense speculation that many players are concerned about their safety back home after being labelled ‘wartime traitors’ for refusing to sing their national anthem.
Fearing extreme punishment back home, five players of the Iranian women’s team have reportedly taken refuge in a safe house in Australia following their elimination from the tournament, as per a report in BBC. They are under the protection of the Australian Federal Police (AFP). There have been growing calls for their exit from Australia to be blocked amid fears of severe punishment for them back home.
US president Trump joined the bandwagon on Monday, urging Australia to provide asylum to the players. The US president said it would be a grave mistake to force the players back home at a time when Iran is engaged in a war with the US and Israel. Trump also offered to give the players asylum in America if Australia refuses to do so.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s 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,” Trump said in a tweet.
“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s 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…” – @POTUS pic.twitter.com/OTIsmVavJR
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 9, 2026