Former Iran national football team striker Sardar Azmoun supported his teammates on social media after Iran left him out of its FIFA World Cup 2026 squad. Many people believe political reasons influenced the decision.

Azmoun posted a message on Instagram on Tuesday while Iran’s home-based players trained in Turkey before travelling to the United States for the tournament.

“Wishing you all the best, guys,” Azmoun wrote in Farsi.

“It’s true that I’m not there with you, but you are my friends and there is no reason not to wish you success.”

Azmoun misses squad after social media controversy

Azmoun played in Iran’s last two World Cups. He remains one of the country’s top football stars with 57 goals in 91 international matches. However, Iran has not selected him since March after he shared a controversial photograph on social media. The image reportedly upset Iranian authorities during tensions involving the United States and Israel. The deleted post showed Azmoun with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai.

The United Arab Emirates established diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020. Iran later targeted the country with drones during the regional conflict that began on February 28. Azmoun currently plays for Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai. He denied claims against him in another social media post.

“A lot of people are trying to bring me down, but these things being said aren’t true at all,” he wrote.

Iran trains in Turkey before World Cup

Iran’s domestic players arrived in Antalya, Turkey, on Monday for a long training camp. The team has not played competitive league matches since February because the Iranian league stopped during the conflict.

The players also trained in Antalya earlier this year. During that visit, they met Gianni Infantino to discuss travel and political issues linked to entering the United States.

Iranian football officials later met FIFA representatives in Istanbul on Saturday. However, FIFA did not provide clear guarantees about visas for Iranian officials and staff.

Visa concerns continue before tournament

The administration of Donald Trump said in January that athletes and coaches attending major sporting events would receive exemptions from travel restrictions.

Still, uncertainty remains for other officials travelling with teams. Iran’s delegation plans to arrive in Tucson between June 5 and June 10.

Iran prepares for difficult group matches

Iran opens its World Cup campaign against New Zealand national football team on June 15 at the stadium of the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood. The team will also face Belgium national football team and Egypt national football team in the group stage.

Iran will play Egypt on June 26 in Seattle during the city’s LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations. Reports said both the Iranian and Egyptian football federations objected to those plans.

Iran asks FIFA to restrict old flags

Iranian football officials also asked FIFA to ban Iranian flags used before the 1979 Islamic Revolution from stadiums during the World Cup. FIFA rules normally allow fans to display only the current official national flags of member countries.