Iran’s star striker Sardar Azmoun was recalled to the national team Monday, four months after being controversially left out of the World Cup roster.
Azmoun was omitted by coach Amir Ghalenoei in May, reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel.
Ghalenoei has now recalled the Dubai-based forward, who has scored 57 goals in 91 international appearances, to his 26-man roster for friendlies against Uzbekistan on Thursday and Russia five days later.
“To be honest, I don’t know how to put my feelings into words,” Azmoun, 31, wrote on social media. “From 2014 until today, I’ve lived so much in this jersey.
"I came, I went, I was left out, I came back … but never, not even when I wasn’t there, did I ever feel separated from the national team.”
At the World Cup, Iran drew with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt and narrowly missed out on advancing to the knockout stages for the first time in seven appearances.
“ I missed the national team more than I ever showed,” said Azmoun, who was pictured meeting Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, on Sunday.. “Today, when I found out I’d been called up again, my happiness was just like the first time.
“I am not angry with anyone, nor do I have anything to prove. I’m just glad I have the chance again to fight with all my heart for the country I love.”
Iran is preparing for the Asian Cup, which kicks off in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 7.
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FILE - Bologna's goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, bottom, saves the ball from Roma's Sardar Azmoun, top, during an Italian Serie A soccer match at Rome's Olympic Stadium, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Marcus Mariota will start at quarterback for the Washington Commanders this weekend after Jayden Daniels went down with a dislocated left elbow.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he might have an update on Daniels on Thursday or Friday but declined to share a timeline for the quarterback's return to play.
“He had imaging done (on Monday),” Quinn said. “He’ll see specialists early this week, Tuesday and Wednesday. We’ll go through the process from there. ... Until we go through that process, I’d be guessing to give you any (timeline).”
The injury during Sunday's loss at Dallas came on a broken play at the end of the first half. Daniels took a snap under center, and left guard Chris Paul stepped on the quarterback's foot as he backed away from the line of scrimmage. Daniels used his non-throwing arm to brace his fall and perhaps keep the play going, but in doing so he injured the elbow.
“The freak ones like this, it’s hard to explain,” Quinn said. “I loved everything about the first half, how he was playing, what we did. ... Total surprise to see it.”
A similar thing happened last November, when Daniels used his left arm to brace himself and dislocated his elbow against Seattle. He returned from that injury just over a month later, only to aggravate the problem and miss the rest of the season.
Quinn said Monday there was no discussion of Daniels undergoing surgery when he first sustained the injury last year, or of him wearing a protective brace.
“Hindsight is awesome,” Quinn said. “I wish we had it on all things.”
The Commanders now turn to the veteran Mariota, who is set to start Sunday's home opener against Seattle. Quinn said he and general manager Adam Peters have not discussed adding another veteran to the quarterback room. Rookie seventh-round pick Athan Kaliakmanis has served as the emergency No. 3 QB in Washington's first two games.
Mariota made eight starts for Washington in 2025 with Daniels sidelined, going 2-6. The veteran completed 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 37-20 loss to the Cowboys.
“There’s nobody easier to rally around than (Mariota),” Quinn said. “When you ask anybody on our team who some of our greatest leaders are, whether it’s on or off the field, Marcus is somebody that constantly comes up.”
Quinn later said he doesn't anticipate new offensive coordinator David Blough needing to change his system much with Mariota taking over.
“The biggest thing is: What do you want to feature with Marcus that you didn’t with Jayden?” Quinn said. “It won’t be exactly the same, but fortunately there will be a lot of similarities.”
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) reacts after an apparent injury in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Trainers attend to Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) after an apparent injury in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Jessica Tobias)
