Iran’s women opened their Asian Cup campaign with a 3-0 loss to South Korea, but attention shifted before kickoff as the players stood silent during the anthem.
The gesture came against the backdrop of war that erupted back in their home country over the weekend following a major U.S.-Israeli air campaign and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran women's soccer team stands silent during anthem as war rages back home
Head coach Marziyeh Jafari declined to comment on the security situation or political developments, stressing that the team is focused solely on the tournament.
This is not the first time Iranian soccer has been linked to protest. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, members of the men’s national team declined to sing the anthem before their opening match against England, amid nationwide demonstrations at home.
The atmosphere during the anthem ceremony in Australia was subdued. While a few players smiled toward supporters in the stands, most stood with serious expressions and did not sing — a gesture that drew notice from spectators and international media. Several Iranian flags from the pre-1979 revolution era were visible in the crowd.
On the field, the gap in quality was clear. South Korea, the 2022 runner-up, controlled the match from the outset and secured a 3-0 victory.
One of Iran’s primary goals in the tournament is to qualify for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a target that will require at least a quarterfinal appearance. Its next match is scheduled for Thursday against host Australia at the same stadium.
Australia star Sam Kerr addressed the complex circumstances surrounding the opponent, saying, “They are young players. We will approach the game with respect and come prepared.”