GOLD COAST: Football leaders on Sunday offered “all their support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup after the United States and Israel launched massive attacks on their countries.
The 26-man Iranian team arrived on the Gold Coast days before Saturday’s strikes, which assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Washington and Tel Aviv sought to overthrow the Islamic Republic.
They are scheduled to open their tournament on Monday against South Korea.
The Asian Football Confederation said in a statement that it “continues to closely monitor recent developments in the Middle East during this difficult period.”
“The AFC’s first priority remains the well-being and safety of all players, coaches, officials and supporters,” the text adds.
“In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iranian women’s national team and Gold Coast officials and offer our full support and assistance.”
Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari held a pre-match press conference on Sunday but stuck to football, saying the tournament was an opportunity to show “the potential of Iranian women”.
“After the league season in Iran, we came together for three training camps, before coming to Australia where we had a few successful sessions. So I hope tomorrow we can show you a good game,” she said.
The 12-team tournament, which begins on Sunday, will be one of the biggest ever for many Iranian players.
They made a historic debut at the last Asian Cup in India in 2022 and suffered heavy defeats against China and Taiwan, but it made them national heroes in a country where women’s rights are severely restricted.
“In India in 2022 the group was a little easier, now in 2026 we come with more experience but the group is more difficult,” Jafari said of a group that also includes hosts Australia and the Philippines.
“But we (still) want to show in these games the potential of Iranian women.”
Iran showed courage to navigate a tough qualifying campaign for Australia that culminated with a victory over favorite Jordan to seal a second straight appearance.
Skipper Zahra Ghanbari said she was dreaming big.
“I think this tournament is great with great teams, but we really want to qualify for the World Cup,” said the 33-year-old.
“We know it will be tough games, but we have a tough mentality and we want to do our best.”
The top six will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
