Reuters
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Sardar Azmoun, one of Iran’s top soccer players, has been expelled from the national team for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, Iranian media has reported, making it unlikely he will play any part in the World Cup.
Iran’s participation in the World Cup as a whole is under a cloud because of the ongoing conflict with the United States, who are co-hosting the June 11 to July 19 tournament with Mexico and Canada.
If Team Melli do turn up for their opening-round group matches, they will undoubtedly be weakened by the absence of striker Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals since making his debut as a teenager in 2014.