Trump Pressures Australia and PM Gives In: Grants Refuge to Entire National Women's Football Team of Iran, after 5 Defected

Aimee Herd : Mar 9, 2026
The Sun UK

"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. 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!" -President DONALD J. TRUMP, via Truth Social

(Australia) — [Breaking Christian News] The Iranian National Women's Football (Soccer) Team have been granted refuge in Australia, thanks in part to pressure from President Trump, and a handful of courageous team members who had defected from the Islamic regime before being forced to board the bus bound for Iran. (Screengrab image: via Sky News Australia)

According to reports from Tousi TV, five members of the team from Iran found a way to leave their training camp and defect from the clutches of the IRGC, while in Australia for an Asia Cup game.

While other team members were boarding the bus some were reportedly seen using sign language to spell out "Help."

Last Monday, the team had refused to sing along during the playing of the regime's Iranian national anthem, for which they were branded 'wartime traitors'. They were then forced to sing, as well as salute on subsequent nights, according to reports.

The Australian government was reportedly criticized for not giving the entire team asylum in Australia.

News of the situation even reached President Trump, as he commented, "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. The US will take them if you won't." 

Iranian exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi had noted that the five brave women who defected are "now in a safe location." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

After the Australian PM Anthony Albanese changed his mind and allowed the team refuge, President Trump posted on Truth Social:

"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. 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!" -President DONALD J. TRUMP, via Truth Social