Iranian soccer players granted Australian citizenship

Lucinda Garbutt-Young | August 6, 2026

Two players from the Iranian women’s soccer team who sought asylum after competing in Australia have been granted citizenship. 

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh competed with their teammates in the Asian Cup in March. 

All the women and their handlers were offered the opportunity to stay in Australia after safety concerns were raised about the players’ refusal to sing the Iranian national anthem during the tournament. 

Seven team members were granted humanitarian visas, but five withdrew their claims and returned to Iran. 

Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh, the only ones who remained, were sworn in as citizens by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at a ceremony in Brisbane on Thursday.

The occasion was celebrated by the Iranian diaspora. 

“Australia has given me the opportunity to build my life and my future, and I feel, more than ever, that I belong here,” Ms Ramezanisadeh said in a statement. 

“We want to thank the community in Brisbane and across Australia for the support and friendship that has meant so much to us.”

Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Laura John urged the government to extend the same pathway to Iranians formerly in offshore detention who have been living in Australia for several years. 

“Many have close family members, including children and spouses, who are Australian citizens or permanent residents,” she said of roughly 700 people who have lived in the country for more than a decade on short-term visas.