Women's Asian Cup 2026: Fears for Iran's women's football team after state TV labels them 'traitors'

There are concerns for the safety of Iran's women's football team, which has been condemned on Iranian state TV.

The players did not sing the national anthem ahead of their match against South Korea on the Gold Coast, in what was seen as a silent protest against the Islamic Republic regime.

Against the Matildas last night they saluted and sang loudly, in what we were told was a clear directive from the regime.

Now, footage has emerged from the state-controlled Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting showing radical conservative presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi calling out the players in response to their silence.

"In times of war, traitors must be dealt with more harshly. Anyone who takes even a single step against the country during wartime must face stronger consequences," he said.

"Take this issue of not singing the national anthem in our women’s football team and that photo that was published.

"This is no longer some symbolic protest or demonstration. In wartime conditions, going there and refusing to sing the national anthem is the height of shamelessness and betrayal.

"Both the people and the authorities should treat them as traitors in a time of war, not as individuals staging some kind of symbolic protest.

"The disgrace of this shameless betrayal should remain on their shoulders, and they must be properly dealt with so that others take a warning from it."

Under the Islamic Republic's penal code corruption or treason can lead to lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty.

Tensions appear to be growing inside the team's camp. Staff members connected to the regime are embedded with the team and it is believed the players are not allowed to move freely or use their phones.

According to sources close to the team, trying to seek asylum in Australia is not an option for most, with their families in Iran threatened and facing punishment if they do not return.

An Iranian Australian source told us they are "experiencing little Islamic Republic of Iran in my neighbourhood", due to the heightened presence of the regime around the team in Australia.

It is uncertain when or how the players will return to Iran, with widespread airspace closures in place over the Middle East since the war erupted over the weekend.

The Iranian women have one game left to play, against the Philippines on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

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