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The exclusion of veteran striker Sardar Azmoun from Iran's provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has ignited a significant debate within the country. Despite being one of Iran's most accomplished footballers, the 31-year-old forward was omitted from the preliminary 30-man roster announced by national team coach Amir Ghalenoei. As Team Melli prepares for its seventh World Cup appearance, the final 26-man squad is expected to be revealed soon, prompting calls for Azmoun's reinstatement from various quarters, including government officials.
Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh, Iran's vice-president for Rural Development Affairs and Disadvantaged Regions, has publicly advocated for Azmoun's return. In a post on X, he emphasized the importance of national unity, stating, "Whoever places the name of Iran above personal grievances is part of our national capital." He urged Ghalenoei to reconsider Azmoun's exclusion, framing the issue as one of national significance rather than merely a sporting decision.
Azmoun's absence has raised eyebrows due to his impressive record, having scored 57 goals in 91 appearances for Team Melli, making him the third-highest goalscorer in Iranian history. His club career has seen him play for notable teams such as Zenit St Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Roma, before joining UAE club Shabab Al-Ahli. Despite his pedigree, Ghalenoei cited "technical reasons" for the striker's omission, as the team gears up for a World Cup campaign that kicks off next month.
The controversy surrounding Azmoun is compounded by his past political statements and actions. He has previously expressed support for protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, which garnered international attention. More recently, a photograph of him with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, drew criticism and raised questions about his loyalty amid ongoing political tensions between Iran and the UAE. This scrutiny has led to his exclusion from recent friendlies, with some pundits questioning his suitability for the national team.
As Iran continues its preparations for the World Cup, the team is currently training in Turkey and includes several experienced players, such as Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Iran has already secured qualification for the expanded 48-team tournament and is set to face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in the group stage. Although Azmoun remains outside the provisional squad, he has expressed his support for the team, wishing them success on social media, stating, "It's true that I'm not there with you, but you are my friends and there is no reason not to wish you success."
