{"id":2580104,"date":"2026-03-15T22:19:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T02:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-womens-soccer-captain-latest-to-withdraw-asylum-bid\/"},"modified":"2026-03-15T22:20:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T02:20:13","slug":"iran-womens-soccer-captain-latest-to-withdraw-asylum-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iran-womens-soccer-captain-latest-to-withdraw-asylum-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran women\u2019s soccer captain latest to withdraw asylum bid"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Firan-womens-soccer-captain-latest-to-withdraw-asylum-bid%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2580104&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Iranian women\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/u-s-womens-soccer-player-explains-why-team-is-finally-standing-for-national-anthem\/\" title=\"U.S. ...s ... Explains Why ... Is Finally Standing For National Anthem\">national soccer team<\/a> captain Zahra Ghanbari has become the fifth team member to withdraw her asylum bid in Australia. Four other players had already left Australia, as the 26-player squad had traveled to the country for the Women\u2019s Asian Cup in February, arriving before tensions from U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran. six players and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shohei-ohtani-donates-money-from-home-run-derby-to-angels-staff\/\" title=\"Shohei Ohtani Donates Money From Home Run Derby To Angels Staff\">support staff member<\/a> had received humanitarian visas to remain in Australia while the rest of the group flew to Malaysia on March 9; since then, four of these members, besides Ghanbari, have left Australia. Officials and supporters say threats against families and relentless intimidation pushed many to seek asylum, a view echoed by exiled Iranian footballer Shiva Amini. the situation has drawn attention from political figures, with former President Donald Trump praising Australia for taking in the players, and it comes amid broader World Cup discussions scheduled for June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Iranian women&rsquo;s soccer team captain becomes latest member to withdraw asylum bid<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2532032\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The captain of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4492298\/iran-us-hit-another-island-kharg-bombing\/\">Iran<\/a> women&rsquo;s national soccer team became the fifth team member to withdraw her asylum bid in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/australia\" type=\"link\" id=\"washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/australia\">Australia<\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Zahra Ghanbari, 34, is &ldquo;returning to the embrace of the homeland,&rdquo; Iran&rsquo;s IRNA news agency reported.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/magazine\/4489181\/notre-dame-football-coach-lou-holtz-obituary\/\">Lou Holtz, 1937-2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4490446\/olympic-bobsledder-awards-trump-ikkos-medal\/\">Olympic bobsledder awards Trump her &#8216;Order of Ikkos&#8217; medal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4489844\/trump-change-mind-iran-soccer-team-world-cup\/\">Trump changes mind on Iran soccer team&#8217;s participation in World Cup per &#8216;safety&#8217; concerns<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Ghanbari&rsquo;s decision comes after four other team members also left Australia. The team of 26 players went to the country for the Women&rsquo;s Asian Cup in February, arriving before the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.<\/p>\n<p>Six players and a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >support staff member received humanitarian visas<\/a> to stay in Australia while the rest of the group flew to Malaysia on March 9. Since then, four of these members, besides Ghanbari, have left Australia, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/australia-iran-female-soccer-team-f94c5e36be8b5dd309bbcb0db868704e\">according to<\/a> <em>Associated Press<\/em>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FILE &ndash; Iran players pose for a team photo ahead of the Women&rsquo;s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Dave Hunt\/AAPImage via AP,File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;Several of the players decided to go back because the threats against their families became unbearable and the intimidation was relentless,&rdquo; Shiva Amini, an exiled Iranian former soccer player, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Shiva_amini_11\/status\/2033179303177863410\">posted <\/a>on X.<\/p>\n<p>President Donald Trump praised Australia&rsquo;s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for taking the Iranian players in, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4485243\/trump-offers-take-in-iran-womens-soccer-team-australia-asylum\/\">writing on Truth Social, &ldquo;God bless Australia!&rdquo;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4490446\/olympic-bobsledder-awards-trump-ikkos-medal\/\"><strong>OLYMPIC BOBSLEDDER AWARDS TRUMP HER &lsquo;ORDER OF IKKOS&rsquo; MEDAL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Trump initially gave <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4488170\/iran-fifa-team-welcome-world-cup-trump-tehran-opposition\/\">the Iranian men&rsquo;s soccer team the green light<\/a> to compete in the FIFA World Cup this summer, but has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4489844\/trump-change-mind-iran-soccer-team-world-cup\/\">since said it may be unsafe for players<\/a> amid the war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fifa.com\/en\/tournaments\/mens\/worldcup\/canadamexicousa2026\/articles\/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums\">World Cup<\/a> is scheduled to be held this year from June 11 through July 19, with games played across 16 different cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iran team captain withdraws asylum bid, returns home<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2632,"featured_media":2580105,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26073858458410-e1773610561753.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[75849,3823,75407],"class_list":["post-2580104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-asylum-bid","tag-iran","tag-womens-soccer-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26073858458410-e1773610561753.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2632"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2580104"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2580108,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2580104\/revisions\/2580108"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2580105"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2580104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2580104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2580104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}