Trending Now - Iranian Athletes Protest Regime by Skipping National Anthem

WHO:

Iran's women's soccer team

South Korea's women's soccer team

Ali Karimi, former soccer star and current coach

Mitra Hejazipour, French-Iranian chess grandmaster

Marziyeh Jafari, head coach of Iran's women's soccer team

Amy Sayer, Australia midfielder

WHAT:

Iran's women's soccer team refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match of the Asian Cup against South Korea.

The match ended with South Korea winning 3-0.

Ali Karimi celebrated the destruction of Ali Khamenei's palace in a post on X/Twitter.

Mitra Hejazipour made statements on X/Twitter expressing her distaste for Khamenei and mocking his death.

WHERE:

The opening match took place at Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia.

The tournament is being held in Australia.

WHEN:

The match against South Korea occurred on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The tournament runs until March 21, 2026.

Iran's next match is scheduled against the host nation on Thursday, March 5, 2026, and their final group-stage match against the Philippines on Sunday, March 8, 2026.

WHY:

The team's actions were a protest against the Iranian regime amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, specifically Operation Roaring Lion.

The protests were also in response to the death of long-serving leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

HOW:

The players stood silently in a row during the anthem, facing straight ahead.

Statements were made on social media platforms like X/Twitter to express dissent against the regime.

In a powerful display of protest, Iran's women's soccer team stood silently during the national anthem before their opening match against South Korea at the Asian Cup, which took place last Monday at Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia, resulting in a 3-0 loss for Iran. The team's actions were a response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the recent death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with notable figures like former soccer star Ali Karimi and chess grandmaster Mitra Hejazipour expressing their dissent on social media. Iran's next match is set for Thursday against the host nation, and they will face the Philippines on Sunday to complete their group stage.