Iran World Cup Squad: Turmoil, Ring Rust, Relocation | OneFootball

When the USA and Israel launched an armed conflict against Iran in late February, preparations for a fourth consecutive World Cup finals quickly slipped down the list of priorities for the Middle East nation.

For a country where soccer is a cultural unifier, war has created a chaotic backdrop to a global tournament that was expected to provide a major source of national pride.

Logistics of War: The Tijuana Pivot

Just ten days ago, FIFA reacted to one logistical nightmare facing the squad. ‘Team Melli’ was granted special dispensation to relocate their training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.

The move followed a standoff where the Iranian FA cited insurmountable visa complications to enter the US. While the official reason focused on paperwork, the subtext was clear: the political friction made a pre-tournament camp on American soil untenable.

Political Fallout: Why Sardar Azmoun Was Axed

The turmoil extends deep into the squad too. Political tensions have spilled over into team selection. Sardar Azmoun, the nation’s prolific star striker with 57 goals in 91 caps, has been controversially axed from the squad despite a public plea for his reinstatement from Iran’s Vice President, Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh.

Azmoun was first cut from the squad for Iran’s World Cup warm-up matches in March, for what Reuters described as a ‘perceived act of disloyalty to the government’.

The Shabab AlAhli Dubai FC forward reportedly drew the ire of Tehran after posting a photo on social media with the ruler of the UAE, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

With the UAE being a nation targeted by Iran during the ongoing conflict, the post appears to have been treated as a political betrayal rather than a sporting interaction.

Selection Headaches and the ‘Ring Rust’ Crisis

The Azmoun controversy is just the start of the selection headache for head coach Amir Ghalenoei. Beyond the political drama, the squad faces a massive physical deficit. His 26-man list includes 17 home-based players who have not played a competitive fixture for their clubs since the war began in February.

Sardar Azmoun has not been included in the Iran World Cup squad. Image: TeamMelliFootball / Instagram

With the domestic league suspended and players unable to compete, these individuals have been training in a vacuum. This leaves questions surrounding their match sharpness required for the world stage.

Relying on the Veterans: Taremi and Jahanbakhsh

To compensate for this ring rust, Iran may have to rely heavily on a small core of Europe-based veterans. The pressure is now on 33-year-old Mehdi Taremi and 32-year-old Alireza Jahanbakhsh to lead the line.

Taremi continues to play at a relatively high level in Greece for Olympiacos, while former Brighton winger Jahanbakhsh plies his trade in the Belgian Pro League with FCV Dender EH.

The Road to California: Group G on US Soil

The team is currently attempting to refocus on the World Cup at a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, before flying out to their tournament base in Mexico on Friday, June 5.

Despite the diplomatic firestorm and the ongoing conflict, Team Melli’s Group G matches remain scheduled for US soil.

They are set to face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The group stage will conclude in Seattle on June 26, where they face Egypt at Lumen Field.

For Ghalenoei and his players, the challenge is now to focus on the football and deliver that moment of national pride, even as the world around them remains in chaos.

Iran Squad for World Cup 2026