Sardar Azmoun, one of Iran’s most prominent footballers, has reportedly been expelled from the national team after an action described by state media as disloyal, putting his participation in the World Cup in doubt.
Iran’s involvement in the June 11–July 19 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is already being played out against regional tensions. If Team Melli take the field for their opening group matches, they are likely to do so without Azmoun, a leading striker who has scored 57 goals in 91 appearances for Iran since his 2014 debut.
Azmoun, who currently plays for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, drew official criticism after posting an Instagram photo of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Iran has recently carried out rocket and drone strikes on the UAE following U.S. and Israeli air operations. Azmoun removed the images after posting them but continued to face condemnation on state television.
A report from Fars News Agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, quoted an “informed source within the national team” saying Azmoun had been expelled. On state TV, pundit Mohammad Misaghi described the photo as “an act of disloyalty,” saying players must behave appropriately and be worthy of wearing the national jersey. “We have no patience for this sulking and childish behaviour,” he added, insisting national team members should proudly sing the anthem.
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) had not issued an immediate comment.
Azmoun, 31, is one of Iran’s best-known players and has spent much of his club career abroad with Zenit Saint Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Roma before moving to the UAE. He represented Iran at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
An unsourced report from Novad News said an order had been issued to seize assets belonging to Azmoun and two other UAE-based Iranian players, Mehdi Ghayedi and former international Soroush Rafiei.
The criticism of Azmoun coincided with state TV coverage of a homecoming ceremony for Iran’s women’s national team after their trip to Australia. Seven members of that delegation reportedly sought asylum in Australia after being labeled “wartime traitors” on state television for not singing the national anthem before a Women’s Asian Cup match; five of those players later returned to Iran.
Iran’s men are scheduled to play World Cup warm-up friendlies in Antalya, Turkey, against Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica on March 31.
