The 20-year-old wrestler had also been linked with a potential move to Armenia but ultimately chose to compete for the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Masoumi is regarded as one of the world’s most promising super heavyweight wrestlers, having won several titles across various age-group competitions.
His decision could set the stage for a rare all-Iranian showdown under different flags at the 2027 World Championships—and potentially again at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games—where he may face fellow Iranian heavyweight Amir Hossein Zare.