On June 1, Iran announced a 26‑man World Cup roster that left out star forward Sardar Azmoun. Coach Amir Ghalenoei opted for 17 home‑based players after clubs halted play amid the Middle East conflict. The squad also includes nine overseas players, notably Mehdi Taremi of Olympiacos and 17 fans hope they perform in the upcoming matches.

Azmoun was dropped in March after a controversial social media post angered Iranian officials during the U.S.–Israel war. His Dubai teammate Saeid Ezatolahi earned a spot, while the squad features five UAE clubs, two Belgium teams, and one Russian side. Dennis Dargahi, known as Dennis Eckert Ayensa at Standard Liege, also made the list for Iran.

Iran will train in Antalya, Turkey, before moving to Tijuana, Mexico, after FIFA cleared a shift from Tucson due to U.S. visa complications. Group G matches pit the Pahlavis against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium, Belgium six days later, then Seattle against Egypt. A potential round‑of‑32 clash with the U.S. could occur in Arlington, Texas.

With five domestic players and a mix of overseas talent, Iran’s squad balances experience and regional representation. The omission of Azmoun raises questions about political influence on team selection, while the inclusion of Taremi signals a continued reliance on Greek‑based firepower. The Pahlavis head into the World Cup with a clear, if controversial, lineup ready for action in tournament today.