Iran's national football team has announced a 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, with coach Amir Ghalenoei opting for experienced players like Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Notably absent from the squad is Sardar Azmoun, a decision that has drawn attention given his impressive record of 57 goals in 91 international appearances.

Azmoun's Omission

Despite calls from Iran's Vice President, Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh, for Azmoun's inclusion, the forward was not selected for the final squad. This marks the second consecutive time Azmoun has been left out, having also missed the squad in March. Reports suggest that his exclusion stems from a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, which led to his expulsion from the national team.

Squad Details and World Cup Plans

The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran's squad will be based in Tijuana, Mexico, after FIFA approved a request to relocate their training camp from Arizona. The team is set to play all three of their group matches in the United States, facing New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, and Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

With Taremi, who plays for Olympiacos, and Jahanbakhsh leading the attack, Iran aims to make a strong showing in the tournament despite the challenges they have faced regarding travel and security arrangements.