The Iranian women's football players are returning home one by one.

Captain Zahra Ghanbari abandoned plans to seek asylum in Australia and returned home amid growing concerns that the players' families were facing pressure in Iran.

Iran's women's national team captain, Zahra Ghanbari, has decided to return home.

According to the state news agency IRNA , the 34-year-old striker will fly back to Iran, transiting through Malaysia. Ghanbari is the fifth member of the team to change his mind after initially trying to stay in Australia.

Earlier, players Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi, and Zahra Sarbali also withdrew their asylum applications. The sudden return of several players to Iran has raised concerns that their families back home are being pressured.

Initially, seven members of the women's national team sought asylum with the assistance of Australian police. However, only two remain in Australia. The Australian government had previously agreed to grant humanitarian visas to six players and one coaching staff member.

At the same time, state media outlet IRNA praised the players' decision to return, calling it "a return to the embrace of the Motherland," while Mehr described it as "a patriotic decision."

Previously, the Iranian women's team attracted attention for remaining silent during the national anthem in their opening match against South Korea in the group stage of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup on March 2nd. This action drew criticism from many domestic media outlets, with some even calling them traitors.

Ultimately, the Iranian authorities announced they welcomed the players' decision to return home. The Ministry of Sports affirmed that "the national spirit and patriotism of the Iranian women's team defeated all conspiracies against the team."

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Source: https://znews.vn/cau-thu-nu-iran-lan-luot-tro-ve-nuoc-post1635352.html