Iran women’s soccer team refuses to sing anthem in protest

The Iranian women’s national soccer team staged a silent protest during their opening match of the Women’s Asian Cup, during their AFC Asian Cup 2026 opener in Australia, refusing to sing their national anthem as it played over the speakers at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. Ahead of their game against South Korea, the Iranian players lined up in their customary formation, but when the national anthem began, neither the players nor head coach Marziyeh Jafari sang, instead staring straight ahead and remaining largely motionless. Iran’s manager, Marziyeh Jafari, was also seen smiling as she looked upon her players’ silence from the sidelines. 

???????? | The Iranian women's football team has just REFUSED to sing the the national anthem of the Islamic Regime.

This is bravery, and I am proud of each and every single one of them.

Soon we will erase this disgusting ill sounding anthem from the… pic.twitter.com/BqaTbZsgr5

— Iran Spectator (@IranSpec) March 3, 2026

South Korea went on to win the match 3-0 as a brace from Kim Hye-ri and another strike from Choe Yu-ri helped them open the campaign with a resounding win. During questioning by media on Sunday, Iran women’s national team captain Zahra Ghanbari, alongside Jafari, was asked about Khamenei’s death. The question was shot down quickly.Jafari answered in Farsi, but an AFC media representative cut off her response without any translation, according to ESPN.