Iran’s 2022 World Cup team list
After suffering a groyne injury in a friendly this week, midfielder Omid Ebrahimi was left off coach Carlos Queiroz’s 25-man list, while injured striker Sardar Azmoun was named to Iran’s World Cup team on Sunday.
In preparation for Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League match against Porto on October 4, 27-year-old Azmoun tore a muscle in his right calf. He has not played since, and his Bundesliga club has stated that he is anticipated to be out for six to eight weeks.
Iran’s 2022 World Cup
Mehdi Taremi has been a standout for Porto this season, tallying 13 goals in 19 games. In Qatar, he will either start alone or with Azmoun, if the Leverkusen striker recovers in time for their Nov. 21 opener against England.
Iran’s final warm-up game will be against Tunisia in Doha, followed by Group B matches against England, Wales, and the United States.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Amir Abedzadeh (Ponferradina), Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan).
Defenders: Ehsan Hajsafi (AEK Athens), Morteza Pouraliganji (Persepolis), Ramin Rezaeian (Sepahan), Milad Mohammadi (AEK Athens), Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Al Ahli), Shojae Khalilzadeh (Al Ahli), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Majid Hosseini (Kayserispor), Abolfazl Jalali (Esteghlal).
Midfielders: Ahmad Noorollahi (Shabab Al Ahli), Saman Ghoddos (Brentford), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis), Saeid Ezatolahi (Vejle), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Feyenoord), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Ali Gholizadeh (Charleroi), Ali Karimi (Kayserispor).
Forwards: Karim Ansarifard (Omonia Nicosia), Sardar Azmoun (Bayer Leverkusen), Mehdi Taremi (Porto).
