The Iran women’s national soccer team made headlines this week, after Australia granted asylum to five players following their 2026 AFC Asian Cup exit.

“We’re willing to provide assistance to other women in the team, noting that this is a very delicate situation, and it is up to them, but we say to them, if you want our help, help is here, and we will provide that,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters.

The team declined to sing the Iranian national anthem prior to its opening match against South Korea last week, prompting widespread fears for the athletes’ safety after Iran’s state-run media labeled them “traitors.”

Iran exited the ongoing Asian Cup after three group-stage losses on Sunday, as the US and Israel’s growing conflict with the nation coincided with the team’s trip overseas.

Australian police assisted the five Iran soccer players leave their Gold Coast team hotel in Monday’s overnight hours, with Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke initially issuing humanitarian visas to the athletes before the country granted them full asylum hours later.

“I don’t want to begin to imagine how difficult that decision is for each of the individual women, but certainly last night it was joy, it was relief,” said Burke, posting photos with the players to social media. “People were very excited about embarking on a life in Australia.”