Captain of Iranian women’s soccer team is latest to withdraw asylum bid: ‘Family members are missing’
Airfind news item
By Ronny Reyes
Published on March 15, 2026.
The captain of Iran's women's soccer team, Zahra Ghanbari, has withdrawn her bid for asylum in Australia, making her the latest member to do so amid fears of intimidation from Tehran. The seven members of the team who sought sanctuary in Australia were criticized for refusing to sing their national anthem at the Women's Asian Cup, which occurred just before the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran. The women were branded "traitors" in Iran, their safety being jeopardized if they return home following Tehran's crackdown on dissent. After President Trump offered to take them in the US if Australia didn't grant them asylum, five of the seven women have now returned home to Iran.
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