Fifth Member of Iranian Soccer Team Reverses Decision on Asylum
Five of the seven members of the Iranian women’s national team who originally sought asylum in Australia after a tournament have changed their minds.
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Asian Cup (Soccer) | Asylum, Right of | Australia | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Soccer | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026)
Three More Iranian Soccer Players Withdraw Bid for Asylum in Australia
Seven members of the national women’s team had sought refuge in the country after they were labeled “traitors” at home. Four of them have since changed their minds.
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Asian Cup (Soccer) | Asylum, Right of | Australia | Gold Coast (Australia) | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | live-detached | National Anthems | Refugees and Displaced Persons | Soccer | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Visas | Women and Girls
Australia Grants Humanitarian Visas to 5 Members of Iranian Women’s Soccer Team
Concern for the safety of the players had grown after Iranian state media criticized them for not singing the national anthem at a game in Australia.
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Asian Cup (Soccer) | Australia | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | National Anthems | Politics and Government | Soccer | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | Women's Rights
Australia Urged to Protect Members of the Iranian Women’s Soccer Team
The athletes, who are set to head home, were called “traitors” by Iran’s state media after they didn’t sing their national anthem during a match in Australia.
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Drones (Pilotless Planes) | Infantino, Gianni | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | International Olympic Committee | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Khamenei, Ali | Middle East | Soccer | Trump, Donald J | United States | United States International Relations | US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) | War and Armed Conflicts | World Cup 2026 (Soccer)
After U.S. Attacks on Iran, FIFA Grapples With How to Handle the World Cup
Soccer’s global governing body is grappling with a World Cup first: a tournament host going to war with a participating nation.
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Gaza Strip | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Middle East | Palestinians | Ramallah (West Bank) | Soccer
For 2 Hours, a Soccer Match Offers Palestinians a Rarity: Joy
The national soccer team made it to the knockout stages of the Arab Cup for the first time, uniting fans from Gaza to the West Bank to Cairo to Arab cities in Israel.
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Discrimination | Egypt | Homosexuality and Bisexuality | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | LGBTQ Pride Month (US) | Seattle (Wash) | Soccer | United States | World Cup 2026 (Soccer)
Seattle’s Plans for a Pride Match at World Cup Infuriates Iran and Egypt
The two countries, which criminalize homosexuality and impose severe punishments for it, were picked to play on a day celebrating L.G.B.T.Q. communities.
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Asian Football Confederation | Infantino, Gianni | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Mohammed bin Salman (1985- ) | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Soccer | World Cup (Soccer) | World Cup 2022 (Soccer) | World Cup 2034 (Soccer)
How Saudi Arabia and Qatar Benefited From Rule Changes to Reach the World Cup
A soccer governing body that both countries have helped bankroll gave them extra rest and home-field advantage to set up World Cup qualification.
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Anti-Semitism | Aston Villa (Soccer Team) | Birmingham (England) | Demonstrations, Protests and Riots | Europe | Fans (Persons) | Freedom of Speech and Expression | Great Britain | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Maccabi Tel Aviv | Palestinians | Race and Ethnicity | Soccer | Starmer, Keir
Starmer Objects as Police Bar Israeli Team’s Fans From U.K. Soccer Game
Confrontation has shadowed Israeli teams’ games in Europe since the start of the Gaza war. Local authorities sought to bar visiting fans at a game in central England next month.
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Egypt | Gaza Strip | Infantino, Gianni | internal-open-access-from-nl | International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) | International Relations | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Politics and Government | Soccer | Trump, Donald J | United States International Relations | United States Politics and Government | World Cup (Soccer) | World Cup 2026 (Soccer)
Why Was the President of FIFA at the Gaza Summit?
Gianni Infantino, the head of soccer’s global governing body, frequently appears alongside President Trump at events outside the realm of sports.