Tehran, Iran. Iranian media reported that striker Sardar Azmoun has been expelled from Iran’s national football team over what was described as an act of disloyalty to the government, making his participation in the World Cup unlikely.
Expulsion report and World Cup context
Iran’s participation in the World Cup is also described as uncertain amid the ongoing conflict with the United States, who are co-hosting the June 11-July 19 tournament with Mexico and Canada. If the team plays its opening-round group matches, it would be weakened by Azmoun’s absence.
Azmoun has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals since debuting as a teenager in 2014 and plays club football in the United Arab Emirates for Shabab Al-Ahli.
Instagram post and reaction
According to Iranian media, Azmoun drew the authorities’ anger after posting a picture on Instagram of a meeting with Dubai’s ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Azmoun later removed the pictures.
Iran has launched rocket and drone attacks on the UAE following air strikes by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Fars News Agency report and state TV comments
A report by Fars News Agency, which has links to the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited “an informed source within the national team” as saying Azmoun had been expelled from the squad.
On Thursday, Azmoun was criticised on state TV, with football pundit Mohammad Misaghi calling the striker’s actions an act of disloyalty. Misaghi said: “It’s unfortunate that you don’t have enough sense to understand what kind of behaviour is appropriate at a given time,” and added that such people “are not worthy of wearing the national team jersey.”
Misaghi also said: “We have no patience for this sulking and childish behaviour. National team players should be people who proudly belt out the national anthem and deserve to wear the Iran jersey.”
How do you think Azmoun’s reported expulsion could affect Iran’s prospects at the World Cup?
