An Iranian state television presenter has labelled the women’s national soccer team as “wartime traitors” after the players did not sing their ​national anthem before their Asian Cup opener against South Korea ‌in Australia earlier this week.

Iran are playing in the continental tournament even as a military conflict escalates back home after the United States and Israel launched air strikes ​over the weekend, killing the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali ​Khamenei.

Their players stood in silence when Iran’s anthem was played ⁠at the Gold Coast ahead of their 3-0 opening loss ​to South Korea on Monday, though they sang and saluted before a ​4-0 defeat by hosts Australia three days later.

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi said in a video that the players showed a lack of ​patriotism and their actions amounted to the “pinnacle of dishonour” in footage ​circulating widely on social media.

“Let me just say one thing: traitors during wartime ‌must ⁠be dealt with more severely,” Shahbazi said.

“Anyone who takes a step against the country under war conditions must be dealt with more severely. Like this matter of our women’s football team not singing the national ​anthem … these people ​must be dealt ⁠with more severely.”

Reuters has contacted the Asian Football Confederation for comment. Reuters has also contacted the Iranian ​football federation and the team at the Asian Cup ​for ⁠comment.

Ahead of their game against Australia, Iran forward Sara Didar fought back tears and spoke about the war, while coach Marziyeh Jafari said her ⁠players ​were doing their best to focus on the ​tournament despite concern for their families back home.

Iran face the Philippines on Sunday in their ​final group match.

–Reuters

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Nigeria women’s national under-20 football team, Falconets, moved a step closer to the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland after defeating Senegal 2-1 in Diamniadio on Saturday evening to secure a 3-1 aggregate victory.

The two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup runners-up progressed to the final round of the African qualifiers with an assured performance at the Annexe Stade Abdoulaye Wade, building on their 1-0 first-leg win in Abeokuta a week earlier.

Kindness Ifeanyi, who scored the decisive goal in the first leg at the MKO Abiola Stadium, once again proved pivotal. The forward opened the scoring in the 19th minute, powering home a header from a corner kick to silence the home crowd and hand Nigeria early control of the tie.

Precious Oscar extended the advantage in the second half, also rising to convert from a corner delivered by defender Tumininu Adeshina, as the Falconets underlined their aerial dominance and tactical discipline.

Senegal reduced the deficit with about 15 minutes remaining, but the goal proved only a consolation as Nigeria maintained their composure to see out the contest and confirm their place in the final qualifying round.

Awaiting the Falconets in the decisive stage are Malawi’s U-20 girls, who edged past Guinea Bissau in their own fixture to advance. The winner of the final-round clash will secure one of Africa’s four slots at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for Poland in September 2026.

With momentum and experience on their side, the Falconets will now turn their focus to the final hurdle on the road to Poland.

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Nigeria’s U20 girls, the Falconets, will aim to complete the job against hosts Senegal on Saturday despite the absence of injured striker Janet Akekoromowei, head coach Moses Aduku has said ahead of the decisive FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying clash.

Akekoromowei was forced off in the first half of last weekend’s first leg in Abeokuta after sustaining an injury and has been ruled out of the squad that travelled to Dakar on Wednesday morning.

Speaking before departure, Aduku expressed confidence that his team has learned valuable lessons from the first leg and is ready to rise to the challenge away from home.

“We will overcome because we have reviewed the match and taken a lot of lessons on board,” Aduku said. “I commend the girls for regrouping after a tough first half, adjusting tactics and showing character in the second half. We could have won by a larger margin because we created numerous opportunities in that period.

“In Senegal, we must defend resolutely and attack with purpose. We will play with focus and determination.”

The Confederation of African Football has appointed match officials from Morocco for the encounter, which will be played at Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal’s third-largest city, about 70 kilometres from Dakar.

Zakia El Grini will serve as referee, assisted by Karima Khadiri and Ihsane Ennouajeli Nouajli, while Zoulaikha Harmasse will act as fourth official. Oumou Souleymane Kane of Mauritania has been named match commissioner, with Kenya’s Alice Kimani as referee assessor.

Saturday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 5 pm Senegal time (6 pm Nigeria time). The winner on aggregate will advance to the final round of the African qualifiers, with the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals set to take place in Poland in September.

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