Sardar Azmoun left out of preliminary Iran World Cup squad
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Iran's Sardar Azmoun getting tackled by United Arab Emirates' Kouame Kouadio in March 2025.
PHOTO: REUTERS
TEHRAN – Iran’s attacking talisman Sardar Azmoun was a notable absentee from coach Amir Ghalenoei’s preliminary World Cup squad, as the team gear up for the tournament in North America amid diplomatic tensions surrounding their participation.
Ghalenoei did not explain the reason for omitting Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals, but Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that the former Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma striker was left out due to injury.
Azmoun, who plays for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, was also omitted from the Iran squad in March despite being part of the Iran squad in their last two World Cup appearances, with local media reporting that he had been expelled from the national team for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government.
The 31-year-old posted a picture on his Instagram feed in March of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Iran had launched rocket and drone attacks on the UAE, following air strikes by the United States and Israel, which killed the country’s then supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Azmoun made his debut for Team Melli in 2014 at the age of 19. He has played in three editions of the AFC Asian Cup – in 2015, 2019, and 2023.
The 30-man squad was announced on May 16, before Iran head to Turkey to continue their tournament preparations with a training camp. Iran will also play two friendlies in Antalya. They have confirmed one match, against Gambia, on May 29.
Veterans Mehdi Taremi, who plays for Olympiakos, and former Brighton & Hove Albion winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh were included in the squad. The roster will be trimmed to the maximum of 26 for the World Cup.
Their participation in the June 11-July 19 tournament has been in question since the Middle East conflict began in late February.
Iran are scheduled to play all three of their group matches in the US. They will take on New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, and Egypt five days later in Seattle. REUTERS
