Iranian footballers granted Australian citizenship after anthem protest

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were sworn in as Australian citizens in Brisbane on 6 August 2026, five months after seeking asylum. The pair, branded traitors at home, had refused to sing Iran's national anthem at the Women's Asian Cup in March. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke oversaw the ceremony. Brisbane Roar welcomed them for training days after their asylum claim.