We've been asking [the Australian government] to work on the players having agency. It's a really challenging situation. There may be players who want to return. There may be some players within the group who would like to seek asylum, or would like to stay in Australia for longer. There may be some who are incredibly concerned about the potential journey home.
Their forward was once suspended when her head scarf slipped off during a goal celebration. Their youngest player is just 18. Another once worked as a personal trainer overseas. These are the women of the Iran football team, who are at the centre of an international diplomatic incident, even as the US and Israel rain missiles down on their family back home.
Back in 2022, when Tony Gustavsson's vaunted performance mode went bust as the Koreans dumped the Matildas out in the last eight. It was a result that, had Australia not been hosting the Women's World Cup the following year, would have seen them miss out on qualification for the global showpiece event.
