TEHRAN — Iranian media reported that star striker Sardar Azmoun has been expelled from the national team after an action authorities reportedly described as a “betrayal,” casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming World Cup.
Azmoun, who currently plays for Shabab Al Ahli Club in the United Arab Emirates, sparked controversy this week after posting a photo on Instagram showing him meeting Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
According to Fars News Agency, a source inside the national team said Azmoun had been removed from the squad.
The striker later deleted the images, but criticism intensified. On Iranian state television, football analyst Mohammad Meithaqi described the player’s actions as “a betrayal.”
Azmoun, 31, is widely considered one of Iran’s most prominent footballers, in a country where the sport enjoys massive popularity.
Throughout his professional career, he has played exclusively outside Iran, representing clubs such as Zenit Saint Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and AS Roma. He also represented Iran national football team in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Media reports on Thursday also suggested that authorities had ordered the seizure of Azmoun’s assets, along with those of fellow national team forward Mehdi Ghaedi, who also resides in the UAE, and former international player Soroush Rafiei.
The controversy highlights the intersection of sport and politics in Iran, where athletes’ public actions can quickly trigger scrutiny from authorities and influence their standing within national institutions.
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