Iran striker Sardar Azmoun, who was unexpectedly omitted from the squad for the 2026 World Cup, delivered an emotional message on social media expressing his love for his country and wishing the team well in the upcoming tournament.
"I want to speak from the bottom of my heart about things many may not know, or about certain misunderstandings that might have led some to judge me too hastily," the 31-year-old wrote.
Azmoun, Iran's second-highest all-time scorer, was omitted from the preliminary squad named by coach Amir Ghalenoei for the tournament last Saturday. State news agency IRNA reported that Azmoun was injured, but earlier reports from March claimed he had been expelled from the national team for posting a photo of himself with Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
With 57 goals in 91 caps, Azmoun represented Iran at the last two World Cups. The allegations of "disloyalty" in Iranian media appeared to weigh heavily on him, and he addressed them directly in his post on Wednesday.
"I always played for the national team with pride. When we won, I was proud of myself and my teammates. When we lost, I was sadder than anyone else, just like you," Azmoun wrote.
"I love football, and I love the kind, deserving people of my country, Iran. The people whose kindness and unwavering support always energise me." Azmoun, who belongs to Iran's Turkmen ethnic minority, revealed that as a teenager he had received "a very big financial offer" to play for another country.
"My answer was: 'I am the son of Iran, and I want to play for my people and make them happy,'" he wrote. "I made a promise to myself that every time I play for Iran, I will give my all to bring joy to football lovers — especially the children in remote towns and villages who always celebrate our victories."
Azmoun concluded his message by wishing the team success at the World Cup. "I wish success and pride to the players, the coaching staff, and especially Amir Khan (referring to coach Amir Ghalenoei), at the World Cup," he wrote. "Go out there and make it happen, my friends, make the hearts of the Iranian people happy."
Iran is currently training in Turkey before flying to their base in the United States in early June. They will face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles, before finishing their group stage against Egypt five days later in Seattle.
