• •ESPN reports that striker Sardar Azmoun has been left off Iran's national team squad list
• •The absence removes Iran’s most prolific forward from the starting rotation ahead of key qualifiers
• •Officials have not issued a detailed explanation regarding whether the exclusion is due to injury, tactical preference, or internal disciplinary matters

Sardar Azmoun was excluded from Iran’s national squad for the latest 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures, according to reports from ESPN. The striker has served as a centerpiece for the team's attack for years, making his sudden absence a significant shift in coaching strategy. It remains unclear if this decision is permanent or limited to the current window, as team management has provided few details on the reasoning. Whether Iran can maintain its offensive momentum without its primary talisman remains the central question for the upcoming matches.