This handout photograph taken and released on March 17, 2026, by Turkish news agency DHA (Demiroren News Agency) shows Members of Iran's women's football team arriving at the Istanbul airport in Istanbul. AFP
Footage from Turkish news agency DHA showed the players, wearing Iranian national team tracksuits, walking through the arrivals area at Istanbul Airport.
The players arrived in Turkey via Oman and Kuala Lumpur, having left Australia, where they were competing in the Asian Cup.
"I am missing my family," one of them told AFP on Monday at Kuala Lumpur Airport.
According to DHA, the players left Istanbul Airport under police escort and headed to a hotel in the city.
They will return to Iran on Wednesday, the Turkish private news agency reported.
Seven members of the delegation had sought sanctuary in Australia last week after they were branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem at their opening Women's Asian Cup game.
Only two remain in Australia after the others changed their minds.
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