Iran have left Sardar Azmoun out of their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with reports suggesting the striker fell out of favour following what the country's authorities viewed as an act of disloyalty.

Azmoun, who plays for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, is said to have angered Iran's government in March when he posted a photograph of himself alongside UAE ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The move attracted controversy because Iran has attacked facilities in the UAE during its ongoing conflict with the US and Israel.

The forward did not feature in Iran's preliminary squad, and coach Amir Ghalenoei has again overlooked him for the tournament. Azmoun holds a remarkable record for his country — 57 goals in 91 appearances — making his exclusion all the more striking.

Taremi and Jahanbakhsh included

While Azmoun misses out, Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh have earned their places in the squad. Taremi, 33, currently plays for Olympiakos in Greece, while Jahanbakhsh — a former Brighton winger — is at Dender in the Belgian Pro League.

Iran's unusual World Cup arrangements

Iran's participation in the World Cup had been in doubt for some time, given the strained diplomatic relationship between the country and the United States, which is co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico. The competition kicks off on 11 June.

Iran have since relocated their base to Mexico, after Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the US was unwilling to welcome the team. Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June — both matches in Los Angeles — before taking on Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

Full Iran squad

All players Iran-based unless stated.

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Hosseini

Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi, Milad Mohammadi, Ali Nemati, Shojae Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Danial Eiri, Ramin Rezaeian, Saleh Hardani

Midfielders: Saman Ghoddos (Kalba, UAE), Saeid Ezatolahi (Shahab al-Ahli, UAE), Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wahda, UAE), Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Amirmohammad Razzaghinia, Mohammad Mohebi (Rostov, Russia), Mehdi Torabi, Mehdi Ghayedi (Al-Nasr, UAE), Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Aria Yousefi

Forwards: Mehdi Taremi (Olympiakos, Greece), Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Ali Alipour, Shahriyar Moghanlou (Kalba, UAE), Dennis Eckert (known in Iran as Dennis Dargahi, Standard Liege, Belgium)