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Iranian national soccer team

Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, left, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, right, former members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, appear on 60 Minutes Australia, in a video uploaded to YouTube on September 6, 2026. (Screenshot)
September 7, 2026, 1:07 pm
Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was anti-regime protest
Team provided no explanation, and some took silence as mourning amid war; two players who stayed in Australia say it was solidarity with slain demonstrators after Iran’s crackdown
By Rod McGuirk
Fatemeh Pasandideh, left, and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, former members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, stand with Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, after receiving their citizenship in Brisbane, Australia, August 5, 2026. (Department of Home Affairs via AP)
August 6, 2026, 6:54 pm
Ex-Iranian women soccer players ‘proud’ to become Australian after claiming asylum
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh get citizenship after seeking protection in March, when they were cast as traitors by regime for refusing to sing anthem at Asian Cup
By AFP
Iran's team stands for their national anthem during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, June 26, 2026. (Manu Fernandez/AP)
June 28, 2026, 8:00 am
Iran narrowly knocked out of World Cup after tumultuous contest on and off field
Last minute 3-3 draw between Austria and Algeria causes elimination of Iranian soccer squad; team had complained of travel restrictions, visa denials and quick exits from US after matches
By JIM VERTUNO
Cape Verde's forward #26 Helio Varela celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group H football match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 21, 2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP)
June 22, 2026, 10:53 am
Maccabi Tel Aviv star scores equalizer in historic Cape Verde draw with Uruguay
Helio Varela’s 2nd-half score brings tiny African island nation within touching distance of knockout rounds; Iran draws with Belgium, Egypt bests NZ for first-ever World Cup win
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Fans cheer after the World Cup Group G soccer match between Iran and New Zealand in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, June 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
June 16, 2026, 9:13 am
Iranian team draws boos, cheers at US World Cup debut as politics overshadows sports
Team secures 2-2 draw against New Zealand in LA, home to world’s largest Iranian diaspora, less than 24 hours after deal inked with Washington to end months of war
By Hatem Maher
People carry a giant pre-revolutionary Iranian flag during a protest in reaction to FIFA's ban on the flag inside World Cup stadiums, June 7, 2026, in Inglewood, California (AP Photo/Benjamin Hanson)
June 15, 2026, 9:25 am
Torn Iranian Americans plan protests, watch parties for team’s World Cup opener
Many are upset over FIFA rule barring pre-revolution lion-and-sun flag from stadiums; one fan says tournament doesn’t represent the people of Iran: ‘This is Team Islamic Republic’
By Amy Taxin
A man wearing a shirt bearing Iran's national soccer team logo blows a plastic trumpet during a pro-government gathering in support of Iran's World Cup team at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
June 7, 2026, 8:44 am
War and economic hardship dampen World Cup excitement in Iran
Iranians say it’s difficult to get excited about a soccer tournament in a year that has seen so much suffering, especially when it’s being hosted by a country they are at war with
By Majid Sourati and Ahmad Parhizi
Iran's national soccer team players stand onstage as they are greeted by a crowd during a pro-government gathering before their departure for training and friendly matches in Turkey ahead of the World Cup at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026. (AP/Vahid Salemi)
June 5, 2026, 10:05 pm
US grants Iranian soccer players visas for World Cup, 10 days before first match
Team set to land in Mexico on Sunday, where it’ll be based amid state of war with US, will play first game against New Zealand on June 15
By Reuters
Iran's national soccer team players stand onstage as they are greeted by a crowd during a pro-government gathering before their departure for training and friendly matches in Turkey ahead of the World Cup at Islamic Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran, May 13, 2026. (AP/Vahid Salemi)
May 24, 2026, 1:00 am
Iranian soccer team moves World Cup base camp from US to Mexico
Iranian Football Federation president says relocation from Arizona to Tijuana resolves potential visa issues amid Middle East tensions; team will enter US for matches through Mexico
By AP
Iran's Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri smiles prior to a friendly soccer match between Turkey and Iran, in Istanbul, May 28, 2018. (AP Photo)
May 20, 2026, 8:33 pm
Iran jails former goalie on national team after post bashing slain supreme leader
Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri described Ali Khamenei as ‘only a dark and passing chapter’ in history; Iranian media says he was detained after trying to illegally leave country
By AFP
FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaking during the 2026 Semafor World Economy conference in Washington, DC, on April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)
April 16, 2026, 11:09 am
FIFA head says Iran will ‘for sure’ participate in soccer World Cup in US
‘Iran has to come, they represent their people,’ Gianni Infantino says, while Trump has previously suggested Iranian players might not be safe on American soil
By AFP and ToI Staff
Iran's forward Sardar Azmoun celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match between Iran and Qatar at al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on February 7, 2024 (Karim Jaafar / AFP)
March 28, 2026, 9:44 am
Iran threatens to seize assets of soccer star Sardar Azmoun over photo with UAE leaders
Announcement follows threats from judicial chief that authorities would confiscate property of celebrities viewed as critical of the government
By AP
Iran's forward Sardar Azmoun celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup semi-final football match between Iran and Qatar at al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on February 7, 2024 (Karim Jaafar / AFP)
March 20, 2026, 9:13 am
Iranian soccer star Azmoun kicked off national team for perceived disloyalty – reports
Striker, who plays in UAE, said to have angered authorities with Instagram photo of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler, is now unlikely to participate in World Cup
By Reuters
Iran is illuminated on the screen during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP)
March 10, 2026, 9:55 pm
Iran suggests men’s soccer team will skip World Cup after several in women’s team defect
Mehdi Taj, head of the Iranian Football Federation, claims members of women’s team in Australia were ‘taken hostage’ after they applied for asylum in Australia
By AFP
Iran's Zahra Sarbali, top, and Philippines' Malea Cesar battle for the ball during the Women's Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt/AAP Image via AP)
March 9, 2026, 6:35 pm
Trump calls on Australia to give asylum to Iranian women’s soccer team members
US president says Washington will take in athletes if Canberra doesn’t, amid fears they could be persecuted after declining to sing national anthem before one of their games
By Reuters
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