One of Iranian soccer’s biggest names has been left off the national team just before the World Cup — and not because of injury or poor form.
Sardar Azmoun was dropped from Iran’s squad in what appears to be a political move against the backdrop of regional tensions and the war with the United States and Israel.
The Iranian soccer federation published its official squad Saturday for the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 31-year-old striker’s name was conspicuously absent from the list — a move some said was not surprising.
According to reports in Iranian media, the decision followed what was described as a “violation of national values” after Azmoun posted an Instagram story in March showing him alongside Dubai ruler and United Arab Emirates Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
In March, the Fars news agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, reported that a source in the national team confirmed Azmoun had been “removed from the squad.” Although the striker later deleted the photos from his account, criticism of him intensified.
Soccer commentator Mohammad Misaghi attacked him during a live broadcast on state television, saying, “It is unfortunate that you do not have enough sense to understand what kind of behavior is appropriate at a time like this. People like that do not deserve to wear the national team shirt.”
According to the report, Revolutionary Guard forces also threatened legal action against Azmoun, as well as seizure orders against his assets in Iran.
Azmoun had shared a photo of himself with UAE leaders during a visit, writing, “I had the pleasure and honor of meeting one of the most successful minds in the world.”
In a Telegram post published by Revolutionary Guard forces, the visit was described as “cooperation with Iran’s enemies.” The post called for legal action against the player and said Azmoun had chosen to remain silent regarding “the attacks by the Americans and the Zionist regime” in the region.
Another report claimed that because of the player’s posts and what it described as his “new betrayal of his homeland,” he was cut from the national team squad and that “all his teammates were notified.”
Azmoun previously played for Rubin Kazan, Rostov and Zenit St. Petersburg, which bought him in February 2019 for 12 million euros. After becoming the Russian league’s top scorer in the 2020-21 season, he signed with Bayer Leverkusen in January 2022 and was loaned to Roma after a season and a half. In July 2024, he joined Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE Pro League.
He has made 91 appearances for Iran’s national team, scoring 57 goals.
Professionally, his absence is a significant blow to Iran, less than a month before the start of the World Cup. Iran was drawn into a difficult group with Egypt, Belgium and New Zealand, and the absence of its biggest star could significantly affect its chances in the tournament.