Iran’s buildup to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign continues to be embroiled in controversy and facing the ramifications of their conflict with the United States of America. After doubts over whether they would travel to America for the mega event, the Asian nation has made a shocking selection call as Sardar Azmoun was left out of the 26-man squad named by head coach Amir Ghalenoei on Monday (June 1).
Azmoun’s non-selection from a sporting perspective makes no sense, as he is the country’s second-highest goal scorer in history with 57 goals in just 91 matches. Only former world record holder Ali Daei (108) scored more goals for the country.
The selection call has a political background over a social media post made by Sardar Azmoun in March at the height of the US-Iran tussle. The Iranian footballer posted a picture on social media of himself meeting United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the UAE. This led to massive backlash as Iran and the UAE do not share friendly relations. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards called it a ‘cooperation with Iran’s enemies.’
It is worth noting that Azmoun plays for Shabab AlAhli Dubai FC in club football, which is a club based in the UAE and plays in the UAE Pro League.
“I promised myself that every time I played for Iran, I would give everything I had to bring joy to the people who follow football with love – especially the children in the most remote towns and villages who celebrate our victories. No matter where I play football, my identity, my heart, and my pride are Iran,” Azmoun defended himself on social media in another social media post.
Azmoun was also left out of Iran’s squad for the two friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica in the March international break.
The latest controversy comes amid the team still waiting for their US visa. The team has shifted their training base to Mexico. However, all three of their group stage games are scheduled to take place in the USA. Iran are in Group and will open their campaign against New Zealand on June 15 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. They will play Belgium on June 22 at the same venue before playing Egypt in their final game of the first round at Seattle.
In Azmoun’s absence, Mehdi Taremi becomes the team’s talisman. He is Iran’s third-highest goalscorer in history with 56 goals in
Iran Squad For FIFA World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Payam Niazmand
Defenders: Danial Eiri, Ehsan Hajsafi, Saleh Hardani, Hossein Kanaani, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Milad Mohammadi, Ali Nemati, Ramin Rezaeian
Midfielders: Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Saeid Ezatolahi, Mehdi Ghaedi, Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Ghorbani, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammad Mohebi, Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia, Mehdi Torabi, Aria Yousefi
Forwards: Ali Alipour, Dennis Dargahi, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Mehdi Taremi, Shahriar Moghanlou.
