New Delhi, March 3: In a notable act of defiance, Iran’s women’s football team refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match at the AFC Asian Cup 2026 in Australia.
During the match against South Korea, the Iranian players stood silently, choosing not to participate in the anthem. This decision comes in the wake of recent military tensions and ongoing internal unrest in Iran.
In the stadium, some spectators waved flags from before the Islamic Revolution, while others quietly observed the scene. Head coach Marzieh Jafari declined to comment on the matter, including the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. She emphasized the need for the team to focus on the tournament. The Middle East is currently experiencing severe tensions following Khamenei’s death due to attacks from Israel and the United States.
South Korea won the match 3-0, with Choi Yoo-ri scoring the first goal in the 37th minute. Kim Hae-ri added two more goals in the 59th and 75th minutes, securing the victory for South Korea.
The Iranian team’s next goal is to secure a spot in the Women’s World Cup in Brazil, which requires them to reach at least the quarter-finals. They will face the host nation, Australia, in their next match on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Indian team will kick off their campaign against Vietnam on March 4 in Perth. However, many players found their training jerseys too small. Initially, delays in permits were blamed, but when the kits arrived at the hotel, most players found them ill-fitting.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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