Iran’s football leadership has signalled that the country’s men’s national team could stay away from the World Cup, following a new controversy involving members of Iran’s women’s squad in Australia.
Mehdi Taj, the head of the Iranian Football Federation, suggested the potential boycott while speaking about the situation facing players from the women’s team who are currently in Australia and have applied for asylum, according to reports.
Taj claimed the women players were “taken hostage” after submitting their asylum requests. His remarks framed the episode as a serious dispute involving the team’s presence overseas and the players’ decision to seek protection in Australia.
The comments come as attention focuses on Iran’s women’s team abroad, where some players have moved to pursue asylum. The federation chief’s language indicates Iranian football authorities consider the matter a major escalation, with possible consequences for the men’s side as well.
No official confirmation was provided in the report regarding any final decision on the men’s team’s participation. However, Taj’s statement suggested the option of not attending the World Cup is being raised in connection with the women’s team case in Australia.
The episode has added to the spotlight on Iranian football governance and the treatment of national teams when travelling internationally. The developments also place renewed focus on the women’s squad, whose members’ asylum applications have now become central to a high profile public dispute.
The report did not include details on how many players sought asylum or the specific circumstances surrounding their stay in Australia beyond Taj’s claim. It also did not cite any response from Australian authorities in connection with the asylum applications.
Further clarification is expected as the situation evolves and as football officials address what Taj described as a hostage like situation involving the women players. Any decision affecting the men’s team’s World Cup participation would likely have significant sporting and diplomatic implications, though the report provided no timeline for when Iran could announce its next steps.