One of Iran’s top soccer players, Sardar Azmoun, has reportedly been removed from the national team over what Iranian media described as an act of disloyalty to the government, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming World Cup.
Iran’s involvement in the June 11–July 19 tournament, co-hosted by United States’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The post came amid heightened tensions, as Iran has launched rocket and drone attacks on the UAE following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to a report by Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an “informed source within the national team” confirmed Azmoun’s expulsion from the squad.
Although Azmoun later deleted the images, he faced public criticism on state television. Football commentator Mohammad Misaghi condemned his actions as disloyal.
“It’s unfortunate that you don’t have enough sense to understand what kind of behavior is appropriate at a given time,” Misaghi said. “We should not mince words with such people. They should be told that they are not worthy of wearing the national team jersey. We have no patience for this sulking and childish behavior. National team players should be people who proudly belt out the national anthem and deserve to wear the Iran jersey.”
The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Azmoun, 31, is one of Iran’s most high-profile footballers, having played abroad for Zenit Saint Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Roma, and representing Iran in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
An unsourced report on Novad News suggested that an order had been issued to seize the assets of Azmoun, along with UAE-based teammate Mehdi Ghayedi and former international Soroush Rafiei.
Misaghi’s criticism came as images circulated of a ceremony welcoming the Iranian women’s national team back from Australia. Seven members of that squad sought asylum in Australia after being labeled “wartime traitors” by state TV for not singing the national anthem during a Women’s Asian Cup match, though five later returned to Iran.
As part of World Cup preparations, Iran’s men are scheduled to play friendlies in Antalya, Turkey, against Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica on March 31.
