•Sardar Azmoun
Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has reportedly been excluded from the national squad for two World Cup warm-up matches, with Iranian media reporting that he was expelled for a perceived act of disloyalty.
The 27-year-old, who has scored 57 goals in 91 international appearances, was the most notable absence from the 35-man squad announced by coach Amir Ghalenoei on Friday for friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica in Antalya, Turkey.
Azmoun, currently playing for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, drew criticism from Iranian authorities after posting a photo on Instagram showing a meeting with Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reports Reuters.
The image came amid heightened tensions between Iran and the UAE following US and Israeli air strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
A report by the Fars News Agency, which has links to the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited “an informed source within the national team” confirming Azmoun’s expulsion. The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) did not respond to requests for comment.
Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, remains under scrutiny due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
CNN also reported that Azmoun later removed the Instagram photos but faced further condemnation on state television.
Soccer pundit Mohammad Misaghi said the striker’s actions reflected a lack of understanding of proper behaviour and questioned his fitness to represent the country.
He said, “It’s unfortunate that you don’t have enough sense to understand what kind of behaviour is appropriate at a given time.
“We should not mince words with such people. They should be told that they are not worthy of wearing the national team jersey.
“We have no patience for this sulking and childish behaviour. National team players should be people who proudly belt out the national anthem and deserve to wear the Iran jersey.”
It also cited an unsourced report on Novad News suggesting that Iranian authorities had ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Azmoun, fellow UAE-based forward Mehdi Ghayedi, and former international Soroush Rafiei.
Misaghi’s comments came as images of the Iranian women’s national team returning from Australia circulated.
Seven members of that delegation had sought asylum after being labelled “wartime traitors” on state television for not singing the national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup, although five later returned to Iran.
