- REUTERS picAFPGURBULAK BORDER CROSSING, Turkey: The Iranian women's national football team crossed the Turkish border into Iran today, among them several players who withdrew an asylum bid in Australia. Seven members of the delegation had sought sanctuary in Australia last week after being branded "traitors" in Iran for refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening game at the Women's Asian Cup. The team arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday evening from Oman, then flew to the eastern city of Igdir before travelling home overland. Wearing Iranian national team tracksuits, the women could be seen leaving the airport for the Gurbulak-Bazargan crossing about 100 kilometres (60 miles) to the southeast. The players arrived in Turkey via Oman and Kuala Lumpur, having left Australia where they were competing in the Asian Cup.

Source: New Strait Times March 18, 2026 12:58 UTC