Iran women's football team arrive in Turkey on way homeISTANBUL, March 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Iranian women's national footballteam landed at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday after several members of thedelegation withdrew their asylum bids in Australia and decided to returnhome. Footage from Turkish news agency DHA showed the players, wearing Iraniannational team tracksuits, walking through the arrivals area at IstanbulAirport. The players arrived in Turkey via Oman and Kuala Lumpur, having leftAustralia where they were competing in the Asian Cup. "The female football players and technical teams are children of thehomeland, and the people of Iran embrace them," Iranian parliament speakerMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X on Wednesday. Iranian authorities had previously accused Australia of pressuring theplayers to stay.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 18, 2026 10:30 UTC