Iran's World Cup preparations have taken a hit. Winger Ali Gholizadeh is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his left knee during a club match for Lech Poznan in Poland. The 31-year-old will undergo surgery and months of rehab, the club confirmed.
Gholizadeh was expected to start on the right flank for Team Melli in the tournament.
Beyond the injury, Iran's participation remains clouded by the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Domestic league play has been suspended since late February due to airstrikes. Home-based players have been limited to drills and intra-squad matches at a training camp in Tehran.
In a sign of the nation's mood, midfielder Mohammad Mehdi Mohebi attended a pro-government night demonstration last Wednesday, promising to dedicate any World Cup goal to the victims of a March missile strike on a girls' school that killed 156 civilians.
Meanwhile, reports suggest mediation talks are underway to resolve the dispute with star striker Sardar Azmoun. The 31-year-old, who has 57 goals in 91 internationals, was left out of recent friendlies after reportedly being expelled for posting a photo of himself with Dubai's ruler, a figure linked to the conflict.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed Iran will play their three group fixtures in the United States as scheduled: against New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26.