Iran prepare for Women’s Asian Cup in Australia as bombs drop on homelandAFP, GOLD COAST, AustraliaSoccer officials yesterday offered “full support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after the US and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland. Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days before the strikes on Saturday killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic republic. Iranian women’s national soccer coach Marziyeh Jafari, left, and captain Zahra Ghanbari attend a news conference in Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday. “I believe this tournament is great with great teams, but we really want to qualify for the World Cup,” the 33-year-old said. The top six finishers would qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Source: Taipei Times March 02, 2026 00:42 UTC