The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has indicated that the Iran women’s national football team may remain in Malaysia for a longer period as the confederation explores safe options for the squad following the conclusion of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. - AFC pic, March 11, 2026
Iran women’s football team may stay longer in Malaysia as AFC seeks safe options
The Asian Football Confederation says the Iran women’s national team could remain in Malaysia temporarily while authorities explore safe arrangements, after concerns over the players’ safety following the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia
Sandru Narayanan
Updated 6 seconds ago
11 March, 2026
4:40 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has indicated that the Iran women’s national football team may remain in Malaysia for a longer period as the confederation explores safe options for the squad following the conclusion of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
Speaking to Scoop, AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor John said the governing body is currently ensuring that the players and officials are properly taken care of while discussions continue regarding their next steps.
He said the team’s arrival in Malaysia was arranged at short notice after it became clear that the squad could not immediately return to Iran.
“We managed to organise the arrangements at the last minute to ensure the team had a safe place to stay. For now, their welfare and safety are our priority,” he said.
Windsor added that the AFC will bear the team’s accommodation and related costs while it explores further arrangements within the region.
“There is a possibility that they may remain in Malaysia longer if necessary. At the same time, we are also in discussions with several countries in Asia to see if any are able to host the team temporarily until it is safe for them to travel home,” he said.
He stressed that the AFC will continue to provide support to the players and officials while their onward travel plans are being finalised.
“AFC will continue to prioritise the welfare and safety of the players and officials, and we urge the media to respect the privacy of the team members,” he added.
However, Windsor declined to disclose the name or location of the hotel where the team is staying, citing security concerns.
“Sorry, for security reasons, I cannot reveal the hotel location,” he said.
Videos showing the team’s arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) circulated widely on social media earlier today.
According to the Embassy of Iran in Malaysia, 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 situation follows reports that seven members of the squad have sought asylum in Australia, citing fears of persecution if they return to Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match on March 3.
According to reports quoting Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke, the players have been relocated to a safe location by Australian police.
Burke was also reported as saying that the remaining members of the team would be welcome to stay in Australia should they choose to do so.
The Iranian team had originally planned to return home after the tournament, but concerns about their safety surfaced after the squad did not sing the national anthem prior to their match against South Korea.
The move drew criticism from several commentators in Iran, with one conservative analyst reportedly labelling the players “traitors in wartime” and calling for severe punishment.
According to the Embassy of Malaysia in Tehran, Iranian passport holders travelling to Malaysia using their national passports do not require a visa for visits of up to 14 days. – March 11, 2026
Iran women’s football team may stay longer in Malaysia as AFC seeks safe options
The Asian Football Confederation says the Iran women’s national team could remain in Malaysia temporarily while authorities explore safe arrangements, after concerns over the players’ safety following the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia
Sandru Narayanan
Updated 6 seconds ago
11 March, 2026
4:40 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has indicated that the Iran women’s national football team may remain in Malaysia for a longer period as the confederation explores safe options for the squad following the conclusion of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.
Speaking to Scoop, AFC secretary-general Datuk Seri Windsor John said the governing body is currently ensuring that the players and officials are properly taken care of while discussions continue regarding their next steps.
He said the team’s arrival in Malaysia was arranged at short notice after it became clear that the squad could not immediately return to Iran.
“We managed to organise the arrangements at the last minute to ensure the team had a safe place to stay. For now, their welfare and safety are our priority,” he said.
Windsor added that the AFC will bear the team’s accommodation and related costs while it explores further arrangements within the region.
“There is a possibility that they may remain in Malaysia longer if necessary. At the same time, we are also in discussions with several countries in Asia to see if any are able to host the team temporarily until it is safe for them to travel home,” he said.
He stressed that the AFC will continue to provide support to the players and officials while their onward travel plans are being finalised.
“AFC will continue to prioritise the welfare and safety of the players and officials, and we urge the media to respect the privacy of the team members,” he added.
However, Windsor declined to disclose the name or location of the hotel where the team is staying, citing security concerns.
“Sorry, for security reasons, I cannot reveal the hotel location,” he said.
Videos showing the team’s arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) circulated widely on social media earlier today.
According to the Embassy of Iran in Malaysia, 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 situation follows reports that seven members of the squad have sought asylum in Australia, citing fears of persecution if they return to Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match on March 3.
According to reports quoting Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke, the players have been relocated to a safe location by Australian police.
Burke was also reported as saying that the remaining members of the team would be welcome to stay in Australia should they choose to do so.
The Iranian team had originally planned to return home after the tournament, but concerns about their safety surfaced after the squad did not sing the national anthem prior to their match against South Korea.
The move drew criticism from several commentators in Iran, with one conservative analyst reportedly labelling the players “traitors in wartime” and calling for severe punishment.
According to the Embassy of Malaysia in Tehran, Iranian passport holders travelling to Malaysia using their national passports do not require a visa for visits of up to 14 days. – March 11, 2026
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