The impossible choice of Iran’s female soccer playersBy Shiva Mokri and Moones Mansoubi / The GuardianWhen we watched the players of the Iranian women’s soccer team stand silently during the national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, it felt personal. The players face another form of pressure: Some would remain in Australia on temporary humanitarian visas, but that choice is not without cost. They might have elderly parents to care for, relatives who depend on them financially, or loved ones whose lives are directly threatened by the Iranian regime. To understand why this moment resonates so strongly, it is impossible to separate it from the wider story of Iranian women. Iranian women have shown incredible courage and resilience.

Source: Taipei Times March 14, 2026 18:10 UTC