VIDEO BELOW

A piece of video footage is making the rounds after a group of Iranian women’s soccer players made a daring break for freedom while competing overseas.

According to a report on Fox & Friends, several members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team decided they would rather seek freedom in Australia than return to life under the regime in Iran.

Their decision came after a powerful act of defiance during the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, held on Australia’s Gold Coast. At their opening match, some of the players refused to sing the Iranian national anthem—a silent but unmistakable protest against the government in Tehran.

Fox News correspondent Bryan Llenas revealed that Fox obtained video capturing the instant Iranian team officials realized several players had slipped away.

The footage—reportedly filmed by an activist confronting a man believed to be linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—shows frantic movement inside a hotel stairwell. As men and women rush down the stairs toward the parking level, the activist shouts from behind the camera:

“This is Australia motherf**ker!” Moments later he continues: “Yeah IRGC… you better run!”

One of the individuals in the group attempts to shield himself from the camera. “Stop! Stop! Stop!” one of the men yelled as he lifted his hand in a vague attempt to block the camera.

Llenas described the scene on air: “Fox News has obtained new video capturing the moment after the Iranian women’s soccer team staff, security and handlers realized five of their players had just escaped their hotel for asylum in Australia. The video was shot by an activist confronting a man they believe to be affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).”

“These Iranian handlers were running in the stairwell of the hotel to try to get to the parking garage, but the door was locked.” Authorities in Australia quickly intervened. According to the report, Australian Federal Police moved the athletes to a secure location and granted them humanitarian visas. Five players ultimately received protection, while another player and a team staff member also chose to remain in the country. One of those women later reconsidered after speaking with teammates and ultimately returned home.

The remainder of the team continued their travel route through Malaysia before heading back to Iran. The effort to help the athletes defect was led by Iranian activist and Australian political figure Tina Kordrostami, who claims the women were subjected to intimidation and pressure. According to Kordrostami, Iranian authorities were monitoring the players closely.

“These women got back on the plane for their family. They know their family is at risk. They know that they are not safe. They also know that they’re going to potentially lose any notion of a future in football. They probably will be facing severe persecution as well,” Kordrostami said.

She warned that some athletes were forced to return because of threats against loved ones back home.

State media in Iran reportedly lashed out at the athletes, branding them “war traitors” for refusing to honor the national anthem during the opening match.

The protest itself was meant to send a message about the treatment of women inside the country.

Yet Kordrostami argued the players’ courage has not received the recognition it deserves—particularly from Western activists who often claim to champion women’s rights. “A lot of women in the West, as well. they are choosing to remain silent on Iran, the women in Iran. For a lot of them, it’s about not wanting to be Islamophobic even though women in Iran have said time and time again it’s not about religion, it’s about coercion, it’s about being forced,” Kordrostami pointed out.

For these athletes, the decision to walk away from the team may cost them their careers, their safety, and even their families’ well-being.

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