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Sardar Azmoun omitted from Iran's World Cup squad amid controversy

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 16, 2026, 12:00 AM

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

Sardar Azmoun omitted from Iran's World Cup squad amid controversy
Summary

Sardar Azmoun, a key player for Iran, is absent from the 2026 World Cup squad as the team prepares to face New Zealand on June 15. Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei did not select Azmoun, reportedly due to his expulsion from the national team linked to a perceived act of disloyalty. The incident arose from an Instagram post where Azmoun was seen with the UAE vice president, which was controversial given current tensions between Iran and the UAE. Azmoun expressed sadness over his exclusion and indicated he could have contributed to the team during the tournament.

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Key Details
  • •Azmoun has 57 international goals, ranking third for Iran.
  • •Reportedly expelled for a perceived disloyalty to the Iranian government.
  • •Iran's squad arrived in the U.S. on June 14 for the tournament.
  • •The team is set to play their first match against New Zealand.
Latest Updates
  • 12:00 AMYahoo Sports — Where is Sardar Azmoun? Why Iran's best player is not at World Cup
What they're saying
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Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun is not at the 2026 World Cup despite being arguably the best player in the country. Here's why.

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