TEHRAN – Iran national football team defender Shoja Khalilzadeh has been ruled out for four weeks, Qatari club Al Rayyan announced via Twitter.

Khalilzadeh underwent a hernia surgery on Monday and will be sidelined for four weeks.

The 32-year-old defender has played a key role in Iran football team’ success in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.

He will be fit for the match against Iraq in Group A scheduled for Jan. 27 in Tehran.