Tasnim - Iranian European based players Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Sardar Azmoun will likely miss the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship.

The Olympics isn’t recognized on the FIFA calendar so clubs are not required to release their players.

AZ Alkmaar winger Jahanbakhsh has already said the club’s officials have told him he is not allowed to participate in the competition.

Also, Rostov striker Sardar Azmoun is not permitted to leave the Russian club.

Iran has been drawn in Group A of the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship, which will be held in Doha, Qatar from January 12 to 30.

The team will open the event with a match against Syria. Host Qatar and China are in the group as well.

The tournament will serve as the 2016 Olympic qualifier.