The football world was caught off guard when Iran's final 26-man squad for the World Cup was released, and Sardar Azmoun's name was conspicuously absent. The Bayer Leverkusen forward, long considered the jewel of Iranian football, was a shock omission from the list that features a heavy contingent of domestic-based players. The news sent ripples through the Iranian fanbase and raised immediate questions about the team's attacking firepower heading into football's grandest stage.
Azmoun, 27, has been a prolific scorer for both club and country over the past half-decade. He rose to prominence at Rubin Kazan and Rostov in Russia before a high-profile move to Zenit Saint Petersburg, where he won four consecutive Russian Premier League titles and finished as the league's top scorer in 2019-20. His subsequent transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in January 2022 was seen as a step up, though injuries and stiff competition limited his minutes in the Bundesliga. Still, his pedigree as a clinical finisher and aerial threat made him untouchable in the minds of most Iran supporters.
For the national team, Azmoun has been nothing short of talismanic. With 44 goals in 73 appearances, he is the nation's third all-time leading scorer and played a pivotal role in Iran's successful World Cup qualification campaign for the 2022 tournament, contributing crucial goals. His partnership with Porto's Mehdi Taremi formed one of Asia's most feared attacking duos, combining pace, power, and lethal finishing. To see either name missing from the final roster would have seemed unimaginable—until Monday's announcement.
The official reason for Azmoun's exclusion has not been disclosed by the Iranian Football Federation or head coach Carlos Queiroz. The omission leaves a significant void in Iran's tactical plan, which had often leaned on Azmoun's hold-up play and ability to create space for runners from midfield. Without him, the team must quickly adapt to a new attacking identity.
In Azmoun's absence, the goalscoring onus will fall heavily on Taremi, who has been in sublime form for FC Porto, scoring regularly in the Primeira Liga and Champions League. The 30-year-old is versatile enough to lead the line or play off a target man, but without Azmoun's physical presence, Iran may be forced to adopt a more fluid, counter-attacking style. Queiroz has also called up Karim Ansarifard, the experienced but less dynamic forward, and younger options like Saeid Sadeghi, who ply their trade domestically, raising eyebrows about the readiness of the home-based contingent given the Iranian league's prolonged suspension since February due to regional instability.
The squad's composition, with 17 players from clubs that haven't seen competitive action in months, is a remarkable gamble. While the domestic stars will be fresh, they lack match sharpness. Azmoun's club rhythm at Leverkusen was already a concern—he managed just one Bundesliga start this season—but his international record suggested he could deliver regardless. The decision to omit him entirely has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike.
History offers little comfort. Iran's World Cup campaigns have rarely been smooth, and squad controversies are not new. In 2014, the exclusion of veteran Javad Nekounam sparked debate, but never had a player of Azmoun's profile and prime age been left out. The move echoes other famous international snubs—Romário in 1998, Roberto Baggio in 1990—though Azmoun's case lacks the public clarity. For a nation that considers this tournament its biggest sporting stage, the outcry on social media was immediate, with hashtags calling for the coach's job trending within hours.
Pundits are divided. Some argue that Queiroz, known for his defensive pragmatism and strict discipline, may have deemed Azmoun's recent form or fitness insufficient. Others believe it's a masterstroke that will free up Taremi to shine as the focal point, with the midfield providing support from deep. Iran's group is no cakewalk: they face England, Wales, and the USA, with the opening match against England on November 21 a daunting prospect. Without their star man, the underdog status is even more pronounced.
From a tactical standpoint, Iran will likely lean into a compact 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with Taremi as the lone striker and wingers like Alireza Jahanbakhsh providing width. The midfield trio, anchored by the experienced Ehsan Hajsafi, must disrupt England's creative players while springing quick transitions. The absence of Azmoun's hold-up play means long balls will become less effective, forcing the team to build through tighter passing—a risky strategy against high-pressing opponents.
For Azmoun himself, this could be a career-defining setback. At 27, the next World Cup in 2026 will see him at 31, still potentially viable, but the missed opportunity on the global shop window could impact his club prospects. Leverkusen may view his omission as a chance to rest and recover, but the psychological blow is undeniable. The nature of his exclusion has left many questions unanswered, and the football world will be watching closely for any developments.
As Iran heads to Qatar, the cloud of this decision will linger. A strong showing without Azmoun could validate Queiroz's boldness; an early exit will make it an unforgivable blunder. The beautiful game thrives on these narratives, and this one carries the weight of a nation's hopes. The only certainty is that when Iran walks out for their first match, all eyes will be on the number 20 jersey—the one that Sardar Azmoun was supposed to wear.
Based on reporting from ESPN.