Iran omits star striker Sardar Azmoun from 2026 World Cup squad

Iran's football federation announced that forward Sardar Azmoun, the national team's third‑highest scorer with 57 goals in 91 matches, will not be part of the final 26‑player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The decision, confirmed by head coach Amir Ghalenoei, was presented as a technical choice, but it follows intense political pressure after Azmoun posted an Instagram photo beside UAE ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Iranian officials labelled the image a betrayal and accused the player of collaborating with enemies of the state, amid broader tensions with the United States and Israel. State media and the Revolutionary Guard called him a “traitor,” while some senior officials, including Vice‑President Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh, urged his reinstatement. Azmoun responded on social media, reaffirming his Iranian identity and wishing the team success. His exclusion forces the coach to rely on other forwards such as Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, raising concerns about the team’s attacking options ahead of group‑stage matches in the United States.

The episode highlights the intersection of sport and politics in Iran, where athletes’ public actions are scrutinised for loyalty, and demonstrates how geopolitical disputes can influence national team selections.