Sardar Azmoun’s absence from Shabab Al-Ahli’s recent match against Al-Jazira in the ADNOC Pro League has reignited concerns over the severity of his injury and how long he may remain sidelined. The Iranian striker’s condition was visibly serious—he even attended his team’s championship celebrations using a cane, raising further questions about his recovery timeline.

With Iran’s final two World Cup qualifiers against Qatar (June 5) and North Korea (June 10) fast approaching, Azmoun’s availability for Team Melli under head coach Amir Ghalenoei is now in serious doubt. Emirati media reports suggest the injury could keep him out for at least six weeks, effectively ruling him out of the upcoming fixtures.

Azmoun’s potential absence poses a significant challenge for Ghalenoei, given the striker’s pivotal role in Iran’s attack. Although Team Melli has already secured early qualification for the 2026 World Cup, improving their FIFA ranking remains a key objective for the coaching staff. Additionally, maintaining squad cohesion and sharpness ahead of major tournaments is crucial, and losing a player of Azmoun’s caliber disrupts those plans.

However, his absence could also present an opportunity for other forwards to step up and prove their worth in the national team setup. As Iran prepares for its upcoming matches, all eyes will be on how Ghalenoei adjusts his tactics to compensate for the potential loss of one of his star players.