Trump Reveals Call With Australia PM On Desperate Iran Women’s Soccer Team Crisis

President Donald Trump intervened on behalf of the Iranian women’s national soccer team following reports that the players had been branded “wartime traitors” by Iranian state media.

The president revealed on Monday that he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on behalf of the Iranian women’s soccer team, detailing the delicate situation for the young women.

“I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,” the president shared. “Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return. In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia!”

Just hours before the call, Trump had weighed in, insisting that the Iranian women’s soccer team be granted asylum in Australia.

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president immediately followed up that post by sharing further details on the threats leveled against the women who dared to protest the despotic regime. He captioned the Truth Social post, “ASYLUM!”

Less than two hours later, Trump had Albanese on the phone.

The 26-member squad, currently in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup, sparked controversy during their opening match against South Korea by remaining silent during the national anthem. The act, widely viewed as a protest against the Islamic Republic, has triggered a vitriolic response from Tehran.

3 days ago, Iran’s Women’s Soccer Team protested the Islamic Regime by refusing to sing the national anthem.

2 days ago, Iranian state media branded the women “wartime traitors.”

Today, the women were desperately begging for help from inside the team bus. They are being… pic.twitter.com/bZgZ5XGo5B

— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) March 9, 2026

Mohammad Reza Shahbazi, a presenter on state-controlled television, called for the players to face “stronger consequences” for their “shameless betrayal.” Under Iran’s penal code, charges of treason can carry the death penalty. Concerns for the players’ safety have been further amplified by the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28.

FIFPro, the global soccer players’ union, has formally called on FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to ensure the team’s protection. “These statements significantly heighten concerns for the players’ safety should they return to Iran,” the union said in a statement.

FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has released the following statement calling on AFC and FIFA to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Iran's Women's National Team players. pic.twitter.com/5izRBHvkOg

— FIFPRO Asia/Oceania (@FIFPROAsiaOce) March 6, 2026

On the ground in Australia, the team is reportedly under intense surveillance. Human rights advocate and former Socceroos captain Craig Foster said it is “clear they are being silenced and coerced,” noting that regime-connected “minders” are embedded with the squad, restricting their movement and phone use.

While the players remained silent during their first match, they were filmed singing the anthem loudly during subsequent games against Australia and the Philippines. Local councilor Tina Kordrostami, who has been in contact with some players, said the shift was a result of extreme intimidation. “They are all terrified, particularly for the safety of their family members back home,” she said.

The Australian government has maintained a cautious diplomatic stance. Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed solidarity with Iranian women but declined to comment on whether the government has had direct contact with the players or if they will be offered asylum. “We know this regime has brutally murdered many of its own people,” Wong told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “I don’t want to get into commentary about the Iranian women’s team [that might] put them or their families… in any greater danger.”

The team’s tournament concluded Sunday night on the Gold Coast. While some advocates have suggested Australia provide emergency humanitarian visas — similar to those granted to the Afghan women’s team in 2021 — sources close to the squad indicate many players fear that seeking asylum would lead to the imprisonment or execution of their relatives in Iran.