Iran World Cup participation doubt grows after federation chief reacts to women’s players seeking asylum during Asian Cup in Australia

The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, on Tuesday raised fresh doubts about Iran’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, following the defection of several members of the country’s women’s national team during a tournament in Australia.

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Speaking on Iranian state television, Taj questioned whether it would be appropriate for the national team to compete in a tournament scheduled to be hosted by the United States, alongside Mexico and Canada.

“If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to a place like this?” Taj said.

Iran is scheduled to play all three of its group matches in the United States, with two games planned for Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

Participation by the Iranian side has already been clouded by heightened geopolitical tensions following recent military exchanges involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

The controversy intensified on Tuesday during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia when several players from Iran’s women’s team reportedly sought asylum.

According to Australian officials, five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, quietly left the team hotel overnight and approached authorities seeking protection.

Local media later reported that at least two additional players submitted applications to remain in the country.

The development followed criticism in Iran after some players remained silent during the national anthem ahead of their opening match against South Korea women’s national football team.

Iranian state television reportedly described those players as “wartime traitors,” although the entire squad later sang the anthem before subsequent matches.

Iran went on to lose its remaining group fixtures, including a defeat to the Philippines women’s national football team on Sunday that ended the team’s campaign.

Taj insisted the players had demonstrated loyalty to the country.

“Our women’s national team sang the national anthem and gave the military salute,” he said.

The federation chief also blamed the involvement of Donald Trump, alleging that the US leader had publicly encouraged the players to seek refuge abroad.

“The US president himself tweeted that they should become refugees,” Taj said.

He further claimed the players had effectively been taken hostage and accused authorities in Australia of obstructing the Iranian delegation as it attempted to depart the country.

“After the game, unfortunately, the Australian police intervened and removed one or two of the players from the hotel,” Taj said.

Taj also alleged that activists had attempted to block the team’s vehicle as it travelled to the airport.

The tension surrounding the squad was evident during Iran’s final group match on the Gold Coast, where protesters gathered outside the stadium beating drums and chanting slogans including “regime change for Iran,” according to journalists at the scene.

Supporters also surrounded the Iranian team bus, shouting “let them go” and “save our girls.”

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The episode has added a volatile political dimension to international football at a time when Iran’s potential participation in the World Cup is already under scrutiny amid broader diplomatic tensions.