AFC immediately takes action regarding the Iran national team due to the situation at home.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) quickly responded as the Iran women's team competes in the 2026 Asian Cup amid unique conditions stemming from the strained situation at home.

On March 1, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed it is closely monitoring the security situation in the Middle East and has implemented support measures for the Iran women's team participating in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup in Australia. Amidst increasing volatility in the region, AFC emphasized that the safety of all participants remains the top priority.

In an official statement, AFC affirmed: "AFC's foremost priority continues to be the welfare, safety, and security of all players, coaches, officials, and fans. In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iran women's team and officials on the Gold Coast (Australia), providing our full support and assistance." This is seen as a timely move to stabilize the team's morale.

The Iran women's team, consisting of 26 members, arrived on the Gold Coast days before unrest erupted at home. The tense developments nearly cut off communication and left the team without direct support from their country as the domestic security situation became complex. Consequently, Iranian football officials proactively requested AFC to enhance assistance for the team during the tournament.

Despite off-field challenges, the Iran women's team coaching staff maintained focus on their sporting objectives. At a pre-match press conference, head coach Marziyeh Jafari emphasized the goal of showcasing Iranian women's football, viewing the tournament as an opportunity to demonstrate "the potential of Iranian women."

The head coach also stated that the team's preparation was thorough before arriving in Australia. She said: "After the season in Iran, we held three training camps before coming to Australia, where we had several effective sessions, so I hope we can deliver a good match." Competitive spirit is maintained despite the exceptional circumstances.

The Iran women's team previously made its debut at the 2022 Women's Asian Cup in India but faced significant challenges against strong opponents. Reflecting on that past journey, head coach Marziyeh Jafari acknowledged: "In India in 2022, the group stage was somewhat easier; now in 2026, we enter with more experience but face a tougher group." In this year's tournament, Iran is grouped with Australia and the Philippines.

The 2026 Women's Asian Cup holds special significance as the top six teams will qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. The tournament also features many of the continent's top teams, including the Vietnam women's national team—one of the contenders for a spot in the world's premier football event.