TONIGHT: Australia v Iran: Playing for a Country at War

The Matildas play tonight and there's so much more to this game than football.

👉🏻 AUSTRALIA vs IRAN - 8PM AEDT, GOLD COAST 👈🏻 (Network 10, 10 Play & Paramount+)

Here's everything you need to know before kick-off 👇

The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026

Twelve nations from across Asia are competing, and the stakes are enormous: the top four semi-finalists automatically qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. It runs until 21 March and games are being hosted home soil across Perth, Gold Coast, and Sydney.

The Matildas are in Group A alongside South Korea, the Philippines, and Iran.

Game 1 was the stuff of dreams.

Sam Kerr, back in green and gold after 851 days (but who was counting? 🤭, scored the only goal in front of 44,379 fans at Perth Stadium to beat the Philippines 1-0.

The crowd was electric, Kerr was emotional, and Australia look sharp, even if coach Joe Montemurro admitted they should've had more to show for it.

Also in the group: South Korea put down a 3-0 statement win over Iran. They are Australia's big Group A test, coming up on 8 March (International Women's Day) in Sydney.

🔥 TONIGHT: AUSTRALIA vs IRAN — 8PM AEDT, GOLD COAST

(Network 10, 10 Play & Paramount+)

On paper, this is the easiest game in the group. Australia are massive favourites - odds around $1.04 to win, with Iran at roughly $26. But the real story tonight has nothing to do with the scoreline.

Iran are playing through a war.

The Iranian women's team arrived in Australia just days before US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

An internet blackout has made it near-impossible for players and staff to contact their families. Coach Marziyeh Jafari said her squad has "so much concern" for their loved ones and are "fully disconnected" from them.

Before their first match against South Korea, the entire Iranian squad stood in silence during their national anthem - a powerful, wordless protest watched by the world. 21-year-old forward Sara Didar fought back tears at yesterday's press conference:

"I really hope it's very good for our country, to have good news ahead, and I hope that my country would be strongly alive."

Despite all of this, they are here and they are playing.

And tonight they'll do it again in front of a packed Gold Coast Stadium, with a huge Iranian-Australian crowd expected to show up and show out for them.

Sam Kerr, for her part, said it simply: "They are young players. We will approach the game with respect and come prepared."

What's at stake?

A win tonight books Australia's quarter-final spot. For Iran, every point matters - they need a top-8 finish in this tournament to qualify for the Women's World Cup in Brazil. They have everything to play for.

Australia are tournament co-favourites at around $2.40, alongside Japan at $2.60. North Korea are the surprise packet at $7.00 if you're feeling bold.

Tune in tonight. It's going to be a big one. 💚💛

Will you be watching? Drop a comment below 👇

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