"This is absolutely false information," the Iranian Football Federation said.

The Kurdish human rights group Hengaw had reported his arrest in October.

Daei's former club Bayern Munich were said to have expressed concern and had contacted the German Embassy in Tehran.

It had been reported that Daei had been expressed support for protests in the Iranian city of Saggyz following the death in September of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in police custody after she had been arrested for not wearing the Hijab head dress.

Daei revealed this week that he had turned down an invitation from FIFA to attend the World Cup tournament, due to start in Qatar on Sunday (November 18).

“In these days when most of us are not feeling well, I answered no to the official invitation of FIFA and Qatar Football Federation to attend the World Cup with my wife and daughters, to be with you in my homeland and express my sympathy,” Daei posted on social media platform Instagram.

"I would like to announce all the families who lost their loved ones in these days. Hoping for bright days for Iran and Iranians."

Daei, who captained Iran from 2001 to 2006, was chosen to participate in the World Cup draw in Doha earlier this year. 

He scored 109 International goals in 148 appearances, a record only passed last year by Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Former Dutch star Clarence Seedorf described Daei as a "spiritual leader," in a message of support.

"I admire your courage, kindness and leadership," Seedorf wrote.

"Peace is what I wish can be reached as soon as possible,"

The messages came as Iran coach Carlos Queiroz insisted that Iranian players remain free to protest during the World Cup providing that they conform to tournament regulations.

"The players are free to protest as they would if they were from any other country, as long as it conforms with the World Cup regulations and is in the spirit of the game," Queiroz said at a news conference in Doha.

"But you can also express yourself on the field in the game of football and the players have only one thing on their mind and that is to fight to qualify for the second round."

Queiroz, in charge of Iran for a third successive FIFA World Cup campaign, admitted the team must focus on their opening Group B match against England at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday (November 19). 

In the other group matches they are due to play Wales and the United States.

Queiroz has set the team the target of reaching the second round of the tournament for the first time.

"You can also express yourself on the field in the game of football and the players have only one thing on their mind and that is to fight to qualify for the second round,"he said.

"They don’t only want to be part of history but also to make history."

Iran had failed to progress beyond the opening round of matches on five previous appearances in the World Cup finals dating back to Argetnina 1978.

"If we bring joy and pleasure to the people, then we have done our job as footballers and that’s the most important issue for me as national team coach," Queiroz said.

Former Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam,who played in the Germany 2006 and Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup tournaments, has also turned down an invitation to attend the tournament.

There have been widespread protests in Iran since September following the death of Amini.

Iranian Human Rights Activists News Agency have claimed that 344 people have been killed and 15,280 arrested during protests in the two months since her death.

The Iranian team covered their badges during two warm up internationals played in September but have been criticised for meeting the country's leadership before departing for the tournament this week.

State President Ebrahmi Raisi was presented with an Iranian team shirt during the visit.