PLDC - The Iranian Football Federation has announced the national team squad for its upcoming friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica, scheduled for March 27 and March 31, 2026.
One of the biggest surprises in the list is the absence of Sardar Azmoun, one of Iran’s top football stars and a regular pick under each of the national team’s last four head coaches.
In recent days, Iranian state-affiliated media heavily criticized Azmoun after photos surfaced showing him meeting the Ruler of Dubai.
Earlier, Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that Azmoun had been removed from the national team. The outlet also threatened him with the confiscation of his property. State media described Azmoun’s Instagram stories as an act of “betrayal to the nation” and launched further attacks against him.
