Link: https://justwomenssports.com/reads/australia-grants-asylum-to-5-iran-womens-national-soccer-team-players/

Five members of the Iran women's national soccer team have defected, with 2026 AFC Asian Cup host nation Australia granting them asylum.

Good on Australia:

“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.

“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.”