Trump urges Australia to grant asylum to Iranian women’s soccer team or send them to US

International, Middle East, North America, Politics, Sports

Washington, D.C., US — March 9, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Australian authorities not to force the Iranian women’s national soccer team to return to Tehran after the players refused to sing the national anthem during a recent match, as war rages back home.

In a statement on his Truth Social account, Trump warned that sending the team back would be a grave mistake. “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,” he wrote.

Trump urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant the players asylum, while declaring America’s readiness to accept them if Australia declines.

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The Iranian women’s team faces serious risks in Tehran after their silent protest. State media has branded them “wartime traitors,” raising fears of persecution, imprisonment, or worse. Several players have already sought asylum in Australia, while international voices continue to press for their protection.

Iranian state television and conservative commentators have accused the players of treason, intensifying concerns about their safety should they be forced to return.