Overview
- Coach Amir Ghalenoei named a 35-man roster for friendlies against Nigeria on March 27 and Costa Rica on March 31 in Antalya, with Azmoun not included.
- Fars News Agency, linked to the IRGC, reported Azmoun had been expelled from the national team, while the FFIRI has offered no confirmation.
- Azmoun, a Shabab Al-Ahli forward with 57 goals in 91 caps, deleted the Instagram photo after state TV pundit Mohammad Misaghi condemned the act as disloyal.
- An unsourced Novad News report claimed authorities ordered asset seizures targeting Azmoun and other UAE-based players, a claim not independently verified.
- Iran’s World Cup participation remains uncertain due to regional hostilities, as the newly announced squad also features a first call-up for Standard Liège striker Dennis Eckert.