All articles tagged with #womens football
Iran’s women’s national football team was welcomed with a hero’s reception in Tehran after returning from Australia, where several players had sought asylum during the Asian Cup. Five initially pursued asylum but later returned; two squad members remain in Australia. Activists accuse authorities of pressuring players’ families, while the ceremony highlighted loyalty to the homeland amid broader political tensions.
Two more Iranian women’s footballers and a staff member reportedly withdrew their asylum requests in Australia, adding to the earlier withdrawals as the team prepared to return to Iran; Australia’s Home Affairs Minister confirmed the developments, following safety concerns after players refused to sing Iran’s national anthem at the Asian Cup, with broader tensions and calls from FIFPRO to protect the players.
Three more members of Iran's women's football delegation who had been granted humanitarian visas in Australia have decided to return to Iran, leaving three of the original seven defectors still in Australia. The players named are Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi and Zahra Sarbali. Australian officials said they provided safe options and respected personal choices amid concerns about repercussions in Iran after earlier anthem protests.
Australia granted humanitarian visas to two more members of Iran’s women’s football team, bringing the total asylum recipients in the group to seven, due to safety concerns if they return to Iran after they refused to sing the national anthem. The visas are temporary (12 months) with a path to permanent residency. The departure occurred amid protests by Iranian Australians, as Tehran urged the players to return and regional tensions rise during the US–Israel war on Iran.
Iran’s women’s football team sang their national anthem before their final Women’s Asian Cup match in Australia after previously remaining silent amid safety fears tied to the war; they were eliminated from the tournament with a 2-0 loss to the Philippines, and a Change.org petition urged Australia to offer refuge to the players amid concerns for their families, as officials and human-rights advocates highlighted the broader context of Iran’s crackdown on dissent.
Iran's women's national team refused to sing the national anthem before their Asian Cup opener against South Korea in Australia, standing silently as South Korea won 3-0; the players and coach did not comment on the war or Ayatollah Khamenei, with Iran to face host Australia and the Philippines in Group A amidst the ongoing regional conflict.
Arsenal Women defeated Corinthians 3-2 to win the FIFA Women's Champions Cup, sparking celebrations shared by players on Instagram and wide praise on X as the club highlights a selection of standout social-media reactions.
The 2025/26 UEFA Women's Champions League knockout phase draw was held on December 18 in Nyon, Switzerland, determining matchups from the play-offs to the final, with top teams like Barcelona and Lyon directly in the quarter-finals and others competing in play-offs. Matches are scheduled from February to May, with two-legged ties leading to the final in Oslo.
Arsenal's recent winless streak, including a 2-1 loss to Lyon in the Women's Champions League, is seen as a temporary 'blip' caused by errors and lack of consistency, but it raises concerns about their form and defensive issues, prompting a need for quick improvement to stay competitive.
Manchester United is close to signing free agent Fridolina Rolfö, who recently left Barcelona after a successful four-year stint, adding a versatile international player to their women's team as they prepare for the Champions League.
England won the Euro 2025 women's football championship in a dramatic penalty shootout against Spain after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time, securing back-to-back titles with Chloe Kelly scoring the decisive penalty amid a game marked by injuries and intense competition.
Nigeria won their 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations title with a dramatic second-half comeback against Morocco, overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 3-2 in Rabat, securing their record-extending victory and the first trophy under the new tournament format.
Keira Walsh expressed hope that Spain can enjoy the Euro 2025 final without the controversy that overshadowed the 2023 World Cup, highlighting respect between the teams and the importance of focusing on football. England and Spain reached the final through tough matches, with Walsh emphasizing the importance of belief and determination in their success.
Spain and Germany face off in the Women's Euro 2025 semifinals, with Spain led by Esther González and Germany overcoming France in a dramatic quarterfinal, as they compete for a spot in the final against England.
Germany and Spain are set to face off in the Women’s Euro 2025 semi-final, with Spain considered the favorites due to their unbeaten record and higher skill level, while Germany aims to leverage resilience and recent victories to advance to the final against England. The match features team changes and strategic challenges, with key players and coaches emphasizing the importance of effort and mental strength.