Iran have announced their 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, with coach Amir Ghalenoei notably omitting prolific striker Sardar Azmoun. The decision comes despite a public plea from Iran's Vice President, Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh, for Azmoun's inclusion.
Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 international appearances, was left out of both the preliminary and final selections. Local media reports suggest he was expelled from the national team in March for an alleged act of disloyalty to the government.
Leading Iran's attack will be 33-year-old Mehdi Taremi, who plays for Olympiacos, alongside former Brighton winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Iran's squad has faced months of uncertainty over travel and security due to ongoing conflict with the US and Israel. They will now base themselves in Tijuana, Mexico, after Fifa approved a relocation from their original training camp in Arizona.
Iran will play all three group matches on American soil, starting against New Zealand on 15 June in Los Angeles, followed by Belgium on 21 June, also in Los Angeles, and Egypt on 26 June in Seattle. Iran have never advanced past the group stage but hope to make history this summer.
