Former Iran forward Sardar Azmoun, excluded from the national squad for the upcoming World Cup in what is believed to be a political decision, has publicly voiced his support for his teammates. The 31-year-old, who played at the last two World Cups, posted a message on Instagram on Tuesday, writing in Farsi: “Wishing you all the best, guys. It’s true that I’m not there with you, but you are my friends and there is no reason not to wish you success.”
Azmoun, who has 57 goals in 91 appearances for Iran, has not been selected since March, when he posted a photograph on social media that angered Iranian authorities during the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. The image, later deleted, showed him with the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The United Arab Emirates has normalised ties with Israel since 2020 and has been targeted by Iranian drones in the regional conflict.
Iran’s home-based players arrived in Turkey on Monday for an extended training camp before travelling to the United States in early June. They will play three group-stage games in Inglewood, California, and Seattle. The national league has been shut down since February due to the war, leaving players without competitive matches.
Iranian officials have faced logistical and political challenges in entering the US. A meeting with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in March and a follow-up in Istanbul on Saturday yielded no guarantees about visas. The US administration has promised exemptions for athletes and coaches but not other officials. Iran’s delegation is expected to arrive in Tucson, Arizona, between 5-10 June.
Iran’s opening game is against New Zealand on 15 June at the Los Angeles Rams’ stadium, followed by Belgium. They finish group play against Egypt on 26 June in Seattle, which coincides with the city’s LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations—a point of objection for both the Iranian and Egyptian federations. Iranian officials have also requested that FIFA ban flags dating before the 1979 Islamic Revolution from stadiums.
