The Soccer Dispatch

The Soccer Dispatch

🇮🇷 Iran's repressive regime is cause for concern at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup

Revolutionary guards are feared to have travelled to Australia with the team!

Graham Ruthven's avatar
Graham Ruthven
Feb 26, 2026
∙ Paid

Until Wednesday, it wasn’t known if Iran would even show up for their Women’s Asian Cup opener on Sunday.

A picture posted of the Iranian women’s national team at an airport was the first evidence they had travelled Down Under for the tournament. Until then, not even FIFPRO (the global players’ association) knew their whereabouts.

Iran has experienced large-scale anti-government protests for months. Authorities have violently cracked down on the rebellion with some estimating a death toll of more than 30,000. Women have borne the brunt of the response.

This extends to the treatment of the country’s women’s national team which could be exposed at the Women’s Asian Cup.

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Graham Ruthven.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 The Soccer Dispatch · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture