Jahanbakhsh ruled out of Uzbekistan game with injury
Alireza Jahanbakhsh was left out of the Iranian squad for the visit to Tashkent ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan after suffering a “minor hamstring injury” against Hong Kong, Iran team doctor Parhan Khanlari said.
The Feyenoord winger was replaced by Reza Asadi with 15 minutes left on the clock in Thursday’s 4-0 victory at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
Roma striker Sardar Azmoun scored an early double with Mahdi Taremi and Ramin Rezaeian finding the net late in the game as Amir Qalenoei’s men got off to a winning start in Group E of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 showdown in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Jahanbakhsh, who left the Iranian camp for the Netherlands to receive treatment on his injury, will be sidelined for “two weeks”, according to Dr. Khanlari, meaning he will also miss the Eredivisie game against Excelsior on his return to club duty, as well as the Champions League clash with Atletico on Nov. 28 in Rotterdam.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Nourollahi, who was not even on the bench on Thursday, was omitted by Qalenoei from the squad for what was described as “unprofessional behavior” by the Al Wahda midfielder.
Golgohar striker Saeed Saharkhizan as well as Sepahan duo Arya Yousefi and Mohammad Qorbani were also left out of the squad for the game in Tashkent – a final outing for Iran before January’s AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.