KUALA LUMPUR – The Iranian Embassy in Malaysia has confirmed that the remaining members of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s women’s national football team, who were competing in the Asian Cup in Australia, arrived in Kuala Lumpur this morning amid mounting controversy surrounding the squad.
Footage of the team’s arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) began circulating widely on social media earlier today.
In a brief response to Scoop, the embassy said the players are expected to return to Iran once flights become available and the country’s airspace reopens.
“They intend to return to their homeland,” the embassy said when contacted.
“The arrangements for their onward journey depend on the availability of suitable flights and the reopening of Iran’s airspace. Once these conditions are met, the players are expected to proceed with their return to Iran.”
The development follows reports that seven other members of the Iranian squad have sought asylum in Australia, claiming they fear persecution if they return home after refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match of the tournament on March 3.
According to media reports quoting Australia’s Immigration Minister, Tony Burke, the players who applied for asylum were taken to a secure location under the protection of Australian police.
Burke was also reported as saying that the remaining players had been informed they would be welcome to remain in Australia should they wish to do so.
The team had initially been scheduled to return to Iran after completing their campaign in the tournament.
However, concerns over the players’ safety began to surface after the squad declined to sing the national anthem before their match against South Korea.
The gesture quickly sparked intense debate and criticism within Iran.
Some conservative commentators reportedly accused the players of betraying the nation during a time of conflict, with one commentator labelling the team “traitors in wartime” and calling for severe punishment.
Amid the growing controversy, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, urged the players to return home, assuring them they had nothing to fear.
“Do not be concerned. Iran is waiting for you with open arms,” he wrote in a post on the social media platform X.
Separate reports later indicated that the players went on to sing and salute the national anthem during their remaining two matches in the tournament. – March 11, 2026