Seven members of the Iranian women's soccer team sought asylum in Australia during an Asian Cup tournament. The same seven members had declined to sing Iran's national anthem ahead of an Asian Cup game.

Iranian state media reacted critically to the team's decision to decline to sing the national anthem. Rights advocates raised concerns that some team members were returning home under intense government pressure.

Five of the seven members later withdrew their asylum claims. After withdrawing their asylum claims, the five team members joined the rest of the team as they traveled through Malaysia en route to Iran.

Two of the seven team members remained in Australia.