FIFA is in close contact with the authorities in Australia amid continued uncertainty surrounding the Iranian women’s football team, it was reported today.

The team lost all three group stage matches in the Asian Cup, culminating in a 2-0 defeat to the Philippines on Sunday.

They would normally be expected to leave Australia imminently, but there are concerns the team could face persecution upon their return to Iran after players stood silent during the national anthem prior to their first match.

Conservative commentators in Iran, which is under attack from US and Israeli air strikes, described that behaviour as traitorous to the regime. The team subsequently sang the anthem and saluted in their last two games.

The team remain in Australia for the moment, and a Fifa spokesperson said: “The safety and security of IR Iran’s women’s national team are Fifa’s priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the Asian Football Confederation and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, in relation to the team’s situation.”

The wishes of the individual team members – whether to return home or potentially to seek asylum in Australia – are unclear, and players will also be conscious of the impact of any decision to stay on family members back in Iran.

It was reported today that five players had left the team training camp and successfully sought refuge in Australia. The claim was made by an X account purporting to be the press office for Reza Pahlavi, the eldest son of Iran’s last Shah prior to the 1979 revolution.

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has been contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, the coach of Iraq has called on Fifa to delay the World Cup play-off his side are set to play later this month.

Graham Arnold has suggested playing the match against Bolivia or Suriname the week before the finals kick off in June, with the winning team staying on in North America.

He told the Australian Associated Press (AAP) that would also allow more time for a decision to be taken on Iran’s participation in the World Cup. He suggested if they withdrew, Iraq could take their place and the United Arab Emirates could replace Iraq in the play-offs.

Travel to Mexico for the play-off match, scheduled for March 31, has been complicated for Iraq by the Middle East conflict, with regular flights affected and obtaining visas having become more difficult.