Iranian striker Azmoun dropped from team ahead of 2026 World Cup warm-up

Striker Sardar Azmoun was left out of the Iranian squad announced for two World Cup warm-ups after Iranian media reported he had been expelled from the national team for an alleged act of disloyalty to the government.

Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 caps, was the most notable absence from a 35-man squad named by coach Amir Ghalenoei on Friday for friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica in the Turkish city of Antalya.

Azmoun, who plays his club football in the United Arab Emirates for Shabab Al-Ahli, upset Iranian authorities this week by posting a photo on his Instagram feed of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Iran has launched missile and drone strikes on the UAE following airstrikes by the United States and Israel that killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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A report by the Fars News Agency, which has ties to the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, quoted “an informed source within the national team” as saying Azmoun had been expelled from the team.

There was no response to a request for comment on Azmoun’s status from the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI). Iran’s participation in the World Cup is under a cloud due to the ongoing conflict with the United States, which is organizing the tournament from June 11 to July 19 together with Mexico and Canada.

The squad also included a first call-up for German-born striker Dennis Eckert, who plays in Belgium for Standard Liège but has Iranian descent through his father.

Published on March 21, 2026