Players from the Iran women's national football team refused to riot at a ceremony ahead of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup match after previously standing silently during the anthem.. Before the 2nd round meeting with Australia, the athletes sang the national anthem and saluted the flag of their country, placing their hands on their heads, writes AP.

At the start of the tournament, Iranian football players did not perform the national anthem in the match against South Korea, remaining motionless during the ceremony. The match took place in the Australian Gold Coast.

Before the game with Australia, the athletes changed their behavior: they performed the anthem and saluted the flag of their country.

Team representatives did not make official statements about the reasons for the silence earlier, but observers noted that “the players showed respect for the ceremony” and performed the anthem, although they had previously taken a protest position.

The match itself ended in the defeat of the Iranian team with a score of 0:4. Australian football players controlled the course of the meeting and confidently strengthened their tournament position in the group.

Iranian actions at the anthem ceremony were accompanied by massive discussions in the media and among fans, including actions in support of the Iranian team outside the stadium.