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8h ago

Iran Women’s Team Stays Silent for Anthem at Asian Cup Opener in Australia

Team officials have offered no explanation for the gesture, which came days after U.S.-Israeli strikes reported to have killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran players pose for a team photo ahead of the Women's Asia Cup soccer match between Iran and South Korea on the Gold Coast, Australia, Monday, March 2, 2026.
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Three members of the Iran women's football team line up listening to their national anthem before a game.

Overview

  • Iran’s players stood quietly during Iran’s anthem before facing South Korea at Gold Coast Stadium and lost the match 3-0.
  • Match footage shows head coach Marziyeh Jafari watching the anthem moment while smiling on the touchline.
  • The squad has not stated a reason for the silence, and Iranian teams have previously used anthem silence as protest, including the men at the 2022 World Cup.
  • At a March 1 news conference, Jafari declined to comment on questions about Khamenei’s reported killing, and an AFC representative urged media to focus on the game.
  • The gesture occurred two days after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and during continuing regional violence with reported casualties, and Iran is scheduled to play Australia on Thursday before meeting the Philippines on Sunday.