Trump Champions Protections for Iranian Women’s Soccer Team

TIME
by Chantelle Lee
March 9, 2026
2 views
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

President Trump advocated for the safety of Iranian women's soccer players, five of whom are now under Australian protection.

AI Summary

President Donald Trump publicly advocated for the safety of the Iranian national women’s soccer team, stating concerns that players could face severe repercussions upon returning to Iran. The President initially urged Australia to grant asylum, then affirmed that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was addressing the situation, with five players already secured. This intervention follows reports that some team members remained silent during their national anthem at the Asian Cup, drawing criticism from Iranian state media. While the team's coach expressed a desire to return, five players have reportedly defected and are under Australian protection. The situation highlights ongoing tensions and concerns for individuals perceived as disloyal by the Iranian government amidst the current wartime environment.

What's Being Done

President Trump publicly advocated for the safety of the Iranian national women’s soccer team, with Australia granting asylum to five players.

Source Coverage Map

7 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

16% coverage
Did Not Cover (36)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP News96AP US News96ProPublica95+31 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Not "unlikely" some Iranian football players pressured to return from Australia
Civil Rights

Not "unlikely" some Iranian football players pressured to return from Australia

Australian police helped two more members of the Iranian women's soccer delegation slip their minders to claim asylum, but one has changed her mind and decided to go back to Iran, according to authorities. Concerns about the players' safety upon their return home ‌grew after Iranian state television labelled the team "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing the national anthem during a women's Asian ⁠Cup match in Australia. FRANCE 24's Grégory Plesse breaks down what happened from Sydney.

AFP / France 24Mar 11
Trump discourages Iranian soccer team from attending the World Cup, citing safety concerns
Global

Trump discourages Iranian soccer team from attending the World Cup, citing safety concerns

Iranian leaders said earlier this week that it's "not possible" for the country to participate in the World Cup.

PBS NewsHourMar 12
3 more members of Iran women's soccer team decline to accept asylum in Australia
Civil Rights

3 more members of Iran women's soccer team decline to accept asylum in Australia

Another three members of the Iran's women's soccer team who accepted refugee visas to stay in Australia have decided to return to their homeland, an Australian government minister said.

CBS NewsMar 14
Three More Members of the Iranian Women’s Soccer Team Decide to Return to Iran - WSJ
Civil Rights

Three More Members of the Iranian Women’s Soccer Team Decide to Return to Iran - WSJ

WSJMar 15
Iran's soccer team cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup, Iranian minister says
Global

Iran's soccer team cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup, Iranian minister says

Iran is set to play three games in the U.S. this June. But amid the U.S.-Israel military campaign that has killed Iran's supreme leader, Iran's sports minister said the team would pull out.

NPRMar 11
Trump administration denounces CNN for airing messages from Iranian leaders - AP News
Politics

Trump administration denounces CNN for airing messages from Iranian leaders - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNRTlsd1VuRXNUUmNBbmRYOWttTndjbi1tNjI4OG15cHJSMGdMQTZGRTltNUk1eFUtM24xbjdlTXNFUXZVMEhURzRGT016WWZCZnN0VmFQcVRaYTFOSkVoZmpVU3p3c0ppNDhaZGxXd0tWWi1iTmNIQjljVmdZVlRXd2MwMzlUS2IzLUpvdmd2cUpzX3ZlOHRpVWdhcklfa3ZnTlNQbmlQQQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump administration denounces CNN for airing messages from Iranian leaders</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 13
Read Next
Judge blocks Trump administration's subpoenas against Fed Chair Powell
Politics

Judge blocks Trump administration's subpoenas against Fed Chair Powell

A federal judge blocked two grand jury subpoenas against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Friday. Chief Judge James Boasberg wrote that "the Government has offered no evidence whatsoever that Powell committed any crime other than displeasing the President."

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources