Iran's women's national football team refused to sing their country's anthem ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2026 opening fixture against South Korea on Monday. Iran's women's national football team refused to sing their country's anthem | GETTYThe gesture was widely interpreted as a stance against the Islamic regime. The head of Iran's football federation, Mehdi Taj, offered a grim assessment of the country's World Cup prospects in comments to sports portal Varzesh3. Taj said: "What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. A 40-day mourning period is now in effect following Khamenei's death, halting men's national team World Cup preparations, though the women's squad was permitted to compete in Australia.

Source: BBC March 03, 2026 16:34 UTC