Jakarta, ThedailyID — Iran has officially left star striker Sardar Azmoun out of its final squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, ending weeks of speculation surrounding the forward’s future with the national team.
Azmoun, often nicknamed the “Iranian Messi” by fans and local media, failed to make coach Amir Ghalenoei‘s final 26-man roster despite being one of the most prolific scorers in Iranian football history. He has scored 57 goals in 91 appearances for the national team.
The 31-year-old striker was absent from both Iran’s preliminary and final World Cup squads. His omission quickly became one of the country’s biggest football stories ahead of the tournament.
Local reports linked the decision to controversy surrounding Azmoun’s perceived loyalty to the Iranian government. The issue reportedly intensified after photos emerged showing the player with Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum amid regional political tensions.
Moreover, some reports suggested Iranian authorities viewed the incident as an act of disloyalty. The controversy sparked widespread debate across the country and divided public opinion.
The situation became so significant that Iranian Vice President Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh publicly urged officials to reconsider the decision and recall Azmoun to the national team. However, the request did not change the coaching staff’s position.
Instead, Iran will rely on experienced forwards such as Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh to lead the attack during the tournament.
Azmoun currently plays for Shabab Al Ahli in the United Arab Emirates. Throughout his career, he has also represented clubs including Bayer Leverkusen, AS Roma, and Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Iran will begin its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign without one of its greatest modern forwards, as the team looks to advance beyond the group stage under challenging circumstances both on and off the field.
