Iran’s women’s national football team refused to sing their country’s anthem ahead of their AFC Asian Cup 2026 opening fixture against South Korea on Monday.
At Cbus Super Stadium on Australia’s Gold Coast, in a striking act of defiance, the players stood motionless in formation, arms behind their backs, as the anthem “Mehr-e Khavaran” played over the stadium speakers.
The women gazed forward without expression, whilst apparent jeers could be heard from the spectators.
Footage circulating on social media captured the moment, with some supporters in the stands displaying the pre-Islamic Revolution Iranian flag.
Manager Marziyeh Jafari smiled as she watched her players’ silent protest from the touchline.
The demonstration occurred barely 48 hours following joint American and Israeli military strikes on Tehran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” eliminated numerous senior Iranian leaders alongside Khamenei.
President Donald Trump issued a warning on Sunday regarding any Iranian retaliation, where he said that if Iran were to “hit very hard,” they would face “a force that has never been seen before.”
Iran’s women’s national football team refused to sing their country’s anthem
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GETTY
The gesture was widely interpreted as a stance against the Islamic regime.
South Korea claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory, with Kim Hye-ri and Choe Yu-ri finding the net for the winners.
Despite the defeat, the Iranian players’ bold gesture attracted worldwide attention.
At a press conference on Sunday, Captain Zahra Ghanbari and Jafari faced questions about Khamenei’s death, but the exchange was swiftly shut down.
Footage circulating on social media captured the moment
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REUTERS
Jafari began responding in Farsi before an AFC media representative intervened without providing any translation.
The official said: “OK, I think that’s all for your question. Thank you for asking. Let’s just focus on the game itself,” before moving proceedings along.
The content of Jafari’s answer remains unknown.
Following the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks using missiles and drones against Israel and regional nations hosting American allies or military installations, including Bahrain and Qatar.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in strikes
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REUTERSIranian airstrikes on Sunday killed at least eight Israelis when missiles struck Beit Shemesh, located just miles from Jerusalem.
The head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, offered a grim assessment of the country’s World Cup prospects in comments to sports portal Varzesh3.
Taj said: “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope. The US regime has attacked our homeland, and this is an incident that will not go unanswered.”
A 40-day mourning period is now in effect following Khamenei’s death, halting men’s national team World Cup preparations, though the women’s squad was permitted to compete in Australia.
