Sardar Azmoun Excluded from Iran's World Cup Squad

Famous forward Sardar Azmoun has not been included in the final squad of the Iranian national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held on the green pitches of the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The experienced striker's name did not appear in the official 26-player list published on the national team's official social media accounts.

Azmoun, well-known for his productive performances in prominent Russian clubs such as Rubin Kazan, Rostov, and Zenit Saint Petersburg, has not been called up to Iran's main team since March 2025. He was not even included in the provisional extended squad announced ahead of the World Cup.

According to speculations by international media outlets, non-sporting reasons, such as the social media sharing of photographs taken with official representatives of the United Arab Emirates, lie behind this unexpected decision.

Meanwhile, Azmoun noted on his social media pages that Iran remains "his heart and pride" and wished the national team success in the world championship.

The FIFA World Cup will be organized from June 11 to July 19 of this year. Competing in Group G of the tournament, the Iranian national team will face New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26 within the framework of the group stage.