Iran Women sing Anthem after opening Match Silence
After standing in silence during their opening match against South Korea, the Iranian women’s national team sang their national anthem before kick-off against Australia at the Asian Cup.
The team did not explain the gesture publicly, though it was widely interpreted as either mourning or a quiet response to the tensions in the Middle East.
Iran striker Sara Didar became emotional when speaking before the game, saying the team’s thoughts remain with family members back home amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
Despite the shift in pre-match gestures, the result on the pitch proved equally difficult for Iran. Australia secured a 4–0 victory on the Gold Coast.
Head coach Marziyeh Jafari said the team is trying to remain focused on the competition despite the situation unfolding in their home country.
Iran arrived in Australia before the recent military strikes and has avoided public comment on the conflict. The team is scheduled to play all its group matches on the Gold Coast.
After two defeats in Group A, Iran now faces a crucial final group match against the Philippines. The team will need a victory to keep hopes alive of reaching the quarterfinals and maintaining a pathway toward qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
