Five defect with Iran's women's soccer team in limbo in Australia - report

Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team reportedly defected following Sunday’s match during the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

The Iranian team has been in Australia since Feb. 28, when U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began. The whereabouts of the remaining team members remain uncertain.

“The safety and security of Iran's women’s national team are FIFA’s priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the AFC and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, regarding the team’s situation,” a FIFA spokesperson told CNN Sports on Monday.

Iranian government media described the defecting players as “wartime traitors,” adding, “Anyone who takes a step against the country under war conditions must be dealt with more severely.”

Following the men’s national team at the 2022 World Cup, the women’s team did not sing Iran’s national anthem at their opening match. For their next two games, however, the team reportedly sang the anthem and gave a military salute under pressure.

President Donald Trump commented on the situation via his Truth Social platform on Monday, noting that he spoke with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return,” Trump wrote.

Trump previously stated that “The U.S. will take them if you won’t,” cautioning against letting the players return to Iran, where he said they “will most likely be killed.”

Iran women’s head coach Marziyeh Jafari, the 2025 AFC Coach of the Year, expressed a personal wish to return home. “Personally, I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family,” she said after Sunday’s match.

-Field Level Media/Reuters