Iran omit Azmoun from World Cup squad

Sardar Azmoun has been left out of Iran's World Cup squad, amid reports of a perceived act of disloyalty to the country's government.

The forward, who plays for Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, is reported, external to have upset his country's rulers.

In the midst of Iran's conflict with the US and Israel, Azmoun is believed to have angered his government by deciding in March to post a photo of himself with UAE ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Facilities in the UAE have been attacked by Iran during the conflict.

Azmoun, who has 57 goals in 91 appearances for his country, did not make the preliminary squad and Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has again not picked him for a tournament for which his country's participation had been in doubt.

The US is hosting the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, with the competition starting on 11 June.

Iran have moved their base for the tournament to Mexico, whose president, Claudia Sheinbaum, claimed the US was unwilling to host them.

Iran scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June - both in Los Angeles - and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh have been included in the squad.

Taremi, 33, plays for Olympiakos, and former ​Brighton winger Jahanbakhsh plays for Dender in the Belgian Pro League.

(all Iran-based unless stipulated):

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Hosseini

Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi, Milad Mohammadi, Ali Nemati, Shojae Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Danial Eiri, Ramin Rezaeian, Saleh Hardani

Midfielders: Saman Ghoddos (Kalba, UAE), Saeid Ezatolahi (Shahab al-Ahli, UAE), Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wahda, UAE), Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Amirmohammad Razzaghinia, Mohammad Mohebi (Rostov, Rus), Mehdi Torabi, Mehdi Ghayedi (Al-Nasr, UAE), Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Aria Yousefi

Forwards: Mehdi Taremi (Olympiakos, Gre), Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Ali Alipour, Shahriyar Moghanlou (Kalba, UAE), Dennis Eckert (known in Iran as Dennis Dargahi, Standard Liege, Bel)