Iran's female soccer squad arrives back in their homeland following a contentious refugee dispute

Iran's women's football team arrived at Igdir airport on March 18, 2026, as they made their way to Dogubeyazit, following their return from Australia, where several team members had initially sought asylum.

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The team had landed at Istanbul Airport on March 17, 2026, after five members of the delegation withdrew their asylum bids and chose to return home, while two members remained in Australia.

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The Iranian women's football team, whose situation has become entangled in the Middle East conflict, returned to Iran on Wednesday, with a welcome ceremony planned in Tehran, as promised by the authorities.

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Seven members of the delegation had initially sought asylum in Australia after refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening game at the Women's Asian Cup, prompting accusations that Iranian authorities had pressured the women's families.

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US President Donald Trump had praised the women's decision, but five members, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, later changed their minds and decided to return to Iran, amidst allegations of pressure from Iranian authorities.

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The team completed their long journey back to Iran on Wednesday, via Malaysia, Oman, and then Istanbul, before crossing the Gurbulak-Bazargan border into Iran, where they were seen wearing national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.

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Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf welcomed the team's return, stating that they had "disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements".

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A small welcome party greeted the team at the border, with Iranian news agency Mehr publishing images of the team and staff on a stage with a red carpet, where the president of Iran's Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, praised their "manly courage and strength".

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A larger welcoming ceremony has been organized for Thursday at 8:00 PM (1630 GMT) in Valiasr Square, a location where pro-government rallies have taken place in recent weeks, according to Iranian media reports.

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Rights groups have accused Tehran of systematically pressuring athletes abroad by threatening relatives with the seizure of property if they defect or make statements against the Islamic republic, highlighting the risks faced by the team members.

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The Iranian women's team had fallen silent during the national anthem at an Asian Cup match in Australia, which was seen as an act of defiance towards the country's leaders, prompting warnings from human rights activists about potential persecution.

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An Iranian state TV presenter had branded the players "wartime traitors", fuelling fears of persecution or worse if they returned to Iran, leading five players, including captain Ghanbari, to claim asylum in Australia on March 10.

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Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed that the government had engaged in secret talks with the players, who were taken to a safe house after leaving their hotel on the Gold Coast, amidst accusations from Iranian authorities that Australia was pressuring the players to stay.