AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026: Iran suffers opening loss to Korea as domestic war looms over campaign

Zahra Ghanbari and her Iran women’s national football team stood as the national anthem played at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Monday, a far cry from the war that started this weekend with a major attack by Israel and the United States.

Before the opening defeat to the South Korea women’s national football team, Iranian head coach Marziyeh Jafari refused to comment on the military attacks or the death of her country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The mood was largely somber during the national anthem, although there were some smiles in honor of a small group of supporters in the red, white and green national colors at Gold Coast Stadium. Then it was about football.

South Korea were runners-up at the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup, winning 3-0 despite the Iranians’ tenacious defense anchored by goalkeeper Maryam Yektaei.

The South Koreans scored 20 shots in the first half, but led only 1-0 at halftime through Choe Yu-ri’s goal in the 37th minute. She dived for the rebound when Jang Sel-gi’s angled left-foot shot deflected off the post.

Kim Hye-ri converted from the penalty spot in the 59th minute and Ko Yoo-jin completed the scoring with a well-timed header in the 75th.

Ghanbari, the captain, left the field after a collision late in regulation. Iran had only 21% possession and only three shots on target, compared to 32 for South Korea.

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Iran will play host to the Australian women’s team at the same venue on the Gold Coast on Thursday.

A tournament record 44,379 people attended the opening match in Perth on Sunday, where hometown star Sam Kerr scored in Australia’s 1-0 win over the Philippine national women’s football team.

After that victory, Kerr acknowledged the difficult circumstances for the Iranian team.

«They are young girls and young footballers. We will treat our match against Iran like any other match, show the utmost respect for the team and prepare well,» Kerr told the tournament broadcaster.

Published on March 2, 2026