Back to timelineOperation Epic Fury
Mar 2 18:54 ET
WORLD REACTION

Iranian Women's Football Players Silent as National Anthem Plays at 2026 Asian Championship

Video footage from the pre-match ceremony at the 2026 Asian Women's Football Championship shows Iranian national team players and coaching staff standing in silence as the Islamic Republic anthem played before their match against South Korea. None of the players or technical staff members were seen singing along to the anthem. The gesture has drawn attention amid Iran's ongoing military conflict with Israel and the United States.