Video of the Iranian women's national soccer team reacting to the national anthem in their first game since the weekend is going viral on social media.
Iran's women's soccer team is playing in the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. The team had a game on the Gold Coast of Australia on Monday. Prior to the game, the national anthem played at the stadium - and Iran's team's reaction went viral.
The Iranian women refused to sing along to the national anthem, in a noticeable change to previous games.
"A defying silence. The Iranian women’s football national team REFUSED to sing the anthem of the Islamic regime. Side note: By the time their next game comes up, they probably don’t even have to wear those hijabs anymore," one fan wrote.
"This is a sharp contrast to the 12 day war when athletes would sing and do the military salute. Nobody is rallying behind the regime’s flag anymore. Its truly over."
The game occurred days after the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in a major strike campaign tasked by President Donald J. Trump.
"This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS," Trump said on Truth Social.
The reaction of the Iranian women's soccer players went viral in a major way online.
The Iran men's team, meanwhile, might not play in World Cup
While the Iranian women are making headlines for their national anthem behavior, the mens' team might not play in the 2026 World Cup in the United States.
“What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Mehdi Taj told sports portal Varzesh3.
Iran was drawn into Group G at the World Cup. Iran is scheduled to play in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 before finishing the first round against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
However, that schedule is now in doubt.