Sardar Azmoun (31, Shabab Al Ahli) was left out of the World Cup stage. He was omitted from the national team roster amid political controversy, but he did not stop supporting his teammates.
The Washington Post reported on the 20th (Korea time) that Azmoun, who was left off Iran's national team for political reasons, cheered on his teammates through social media.
The Iran national team moved from Mehrabad International Airport to Antalya, Türkiye, on the 18th local time. The squad will train in Türkiye and then travel to the United States in early next month to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF group stage.
Azmoun shared a post about the team's departure and left a message in Persian. He said, "It is true that I cannot be with you. But you are my friends. Therefore there is no reason for me not to wish for your success."
He added, "Many are trying to bring me down, but the circulating stories are not true. Wishing you the best of luck, friends." Even after his World Cup appearance was canceled, he did not hide his feelings toward his teammates.
Azmoun is a striker who represents Iranian football. He played on the European stage for Zenit Saint Petersburg and Bayer Leverkusen, and with 57 goals in 91 A matches he ranks second in Iran's all-time scoring for the national team. His presence in Iranian football was significant.
He also has a fraught history with South Korean football. Azmoun scored his debut A-match goal in a friendly against Korea in November 2014, leading Iran to a 1-0 victory. He also scored the decisive goal against Korea in the 2018 Russia World Cup Asian final qualifying round. It was a major shock for the Korea national team at the time.
He also has World Cup experience. Azmoun wore Iran's national team uniform at the 2018 Russia World Cup and the 2022 Qatar World Cup. This tournament could have been his last World Cup attempt. However, he was not even named to the preliminary roster, so his third World Cup appearance was canceled.
There is political controversy behind it. In March, when clashes between Iran and the United States were ongoing, Azmoun posted a smiling photo on social media with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates. The photo came out while he was playing for a UAE club, but the reaction inside Iran was cold.
The UAE normalized diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020. From the Iranian authorities' perspective, it was a sensitive scene. As the controversy grew, Azmoun promptly deleted the photo, but it is reported that it led to his removal from the national team and even the seizure of his assets.
Iran is in Group G at this World Cup with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt. A boycott was discussed due to political conflict with the United States, but for now the team is participating in the tournament. However, issues with issuing World Cup visas for players and support staff have reportedly not yet been resolved.
Azmoun was pushed off the pitch. Still, his final message was support rather than resentment. The legendary Iranian striker must watch this World Cup from home.<
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