Iran national football team facts for kids
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Nickname(s) |
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Association | Football Federation Republic of Iran | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sub-confederation | CAFA (Central Asia) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Juan Carlos Osorio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Captain | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Javad Nekounam (149) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Ali Daei (108) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home stadium | Azadi Stadium | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FIFA code | IRN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current | 22 ![]() |
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Highest | 15 (August 2005) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 122 (May 1996) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elo ranking | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current | 21 ![]() |
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Highest | 16 (11 April 2005, 24 January 2019) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 77 (11 November 1945 ( After World War 2 )) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First international | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Kabul, Afghanistan; 25 August 1941) |
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Biggest win | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Tabriz, Iran; 24 November 2000) |
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Biggest defeat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Istanbul, Turkey; 28 May 1950) ![]() ![]() (Tokyo, Japan; 28 May 1958) ![]() ![]() (Nuremberg, West Germany; 27 August 1972) |
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World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 7 (first in 1978) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asian Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 16 (first in 1968) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (1968, 1972, 1976) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Olympic Games | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 4 (first in 1964) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Quarter-finals (1976) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Afro-Asian, AFC-OFC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 1978) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Best result | Champions (2003) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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The Iran national football team, also known as Team Melli (meaning "The National Team"), plays for Iran in international men's football. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) manages the team.
Iran has won the AFC Asian Cup three times in a row: in 1968, 1972, and 1976. They also won three Asian Games gold medals in 1974, 1990, and 1998. At the Summer Olympics, their best result was reaching the quarter-finals in 1976.
The team has played in the FIFA World Cup seven times (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026). They have not yet made it past the group stage. However, they have won three World Cup matches: against the United States in 1998, Morocco in 2018, and Wales in 2022. Iran has also won four WAFF Championships and one CAFA Nations Cup. In 2003, they won the AFC–OFC Challenge Cup.
Contents
Team History and Achievements
Early Football Years
The Iranian Football Federation started in 1920. In 1926, a team from Tehran played the first away match for an Iranian team in the Soviet Union. This team was a early version of the national team.
Team Melli played its first official match on August 23, 1941. They won 1–0 against British India in Kabul. Iran's first FIFA international match was on August 25, 1941, against Afghanistan.

Iran won the AFC Asian Cup three times in a row (1968, 1972, 1976). This was a golden age for the team. In 1978, Iran played in its first FIFA World Cup after beating Australia. They lost two games but drew 1–1 with Scotland. This was their first World Cup point.
Football in the 1980s and 1990s
After the Iranian Revolution, football faced some challenges. During the 1980s, Iran did not play in World Cup competitions due to the Iran–Iraq War. The team even refused to play in the 1986 World Cup qualifiers.
Despite missing World Cups in 1990 and 1994, new talented players emerged. This helped Iran achieve third place in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. They had big wins, like 3–0 against Saudi Arabia and 6–2 against South Korea.
World Cup Appearances (1998-2006)
Iran qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup after a tough playoff against Australia. They drew 3–3 overall and advanced because of the away goals rule.
At the 1998 World Cup, Iran lost their first game 1–0 to Yugoslavia. They then made history by winning their first World Cup match, beating the United States 2–1. Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia scored for Iran. Before the match, players from both teams exchanged gifts and flowers. Iran lost 2–0 to Germany in their last group game. They finished third in their group.
Iran did not qualify for the 2002 World Cup, losing to the Republic of Ireland. In 2004, Iran finished third in the AFC Asian Cup. They beat South Korea 4–3 in the quarter-finals.
On June 8, 2005, Iran qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. They were one of the first teams to qualify. In the World Cup, Iran lost to Mexico (3–1) and Portugal (2–0). They drew 1–1 with Angola in their final game and were eliminated.
Recent Years (2007-Present)
In November 2006, FIFA briefly suspended Iran from international football. This was due to government involvement in the football association. The ban was lifted quickly.
Iran reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, losing to South Korea on penalties. They did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

In 2011, Carlos Queiroz became Iran's coach. Under him, Iran qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. They won their group in the final qualification round. Queiroz brought in players from other countries with Iranian backgrounds.
At the 2014 World Cup, Iran drew 0–0 with Nigeria. They lost 1–0 to Argentina with a late goal from Lionel Messi. Iran was eliminated after losing 3–1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Iran qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They won their first match 1–0 against Morocco. They then lost 1–0 to Spain. Their last game was a 1–1 draw against Portugal. Iran earned four points, their best World Cup performance so far.

In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Iran won their group. They beat Yemen 5–0 and Vietnam 2–0. They drew with Iraq. Iran reached the semi-finals but lost 3–0 to Japan.
Iran qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They were the highest-ranked Asian team. In their first match, Iran lost 6–2 to England. In their next game, Iran defeated Wales 2–0. This was their first World Cup win against a European team. In their final group match, Iran lost 1–0 to the United States and was knocked out.
Iran qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on March 25, 2025, after a 2–2 draw against Uzbekistan.
Team Identity
Nicknames
The Iranian national team has several nicknames. The most common is "Team Melli", which means "The National Team" in Persian. Other nicknames include "Persian Stars" and "The Iranian Lions." A newer nickname is Youzpalangan, meaning "The Cheetahs," because of the Asiatic cheetah on their 2014 World Cup jersey.
Team Kits
Iran's home kit is usually white. Their away kit is red. Sometimes, they use green shirts with white shorts and red socks.
Kit supplier | Period |
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1978 |
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1980 |
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1981–1993 |
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1993–1998 |
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1998–2000 |
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2000–2003 |
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2003–2006 |
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2006–2007 |
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2007–2008 |
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2008–2009 |
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2009–2012 |
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2012–2016 |
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2016 |
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2016–2019 |
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2019–2022 |
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2022–present |
Sponsorship
In 2014, Iran added the endangered Asiatic cheetah to their World Cup kits. This was to help raise awareness for cheetah conservation.
Rivalries
Iran has football rivalries with neighboring countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Matches against these teams are often very exciting. They also have strong rivalries with East Asian teams like South Korea and Japan.
Home Stadiums
Since 1972, Iran's main home stadium has been Tehran's Azadi Stadium. It can hold over 78,000 fans. It is one of the largest stadiums in Asia. In October 2019, some Iranian women were allowed to attend a match at Azadi Stadium for the first time in many years. However, in March 2022, women were again prevented from entering for a World Cup qualifier.
Other stadiums where Iran has played international games include Amjadieh Stadium (their national stadium from 1942 to 1972), Bagh Shomal, Yadegar Emam Stadium in Tabriz, and others in Tehran, Karaj, Shiraz, and Mashhad.
Match Results
Here are some recent and upcoming matches for the Iran national football team.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024 Matches
5 September 2026 World Cup qualification | Iran ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Fuladshahr, Iran |
19:30 UTC+3:30 |
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Stadium: Fuladshahr Stadium Attendance: 12,077 Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan) |
10 September 2026 World Cup qualification | United Arab Emirates ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates |
20:00 UTC+4 | Stadium: Hazza bin Zayed Stadium Attendance: 17,826 Referee: Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea) |
10 October 2026 World Cup qualification | Uzbekistan ![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
19:00 UTC+5 | Stadium: Milliy Stadium Attendance: 33,829 Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia) |
15 October 2026 World Cup qualification | Iran ![]() |
4–1 | ![]() |
Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
19:30 UTC+3:30 |
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Stadium: Rashid Stadium Attendance: 7,890 Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan) |
14 November 2026 World Cup qualification | North Korea ![]() |
2–3 | ![]() |
Vientiane, Laos |
19:00 UTC+7 |
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Stadium: New Laos National Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan) |
19 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Kyrgyzstan ![]() |
2–3 | ![]() |
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |
20:00 UTC+6 |
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Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Attendance: 10,021 Referee: Ma Ning (China) |
2025 Matches
20 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Iran ![]() |
2–0 | ![]() |
Tehran, Iran |
19:30 UTC+3:30 |
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Stadium: Azadi Stadium Attendance: 20,469 Referee: Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea) |
25 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Iran ![]() |
2–2 | ![]() |
Tehran, Iran |
19:30 UTC+3:30 |
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Stadium: Azadi Stadium Attendance: 36,702 Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman) |
5 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Qatar ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Doha, Qatar |
21:15 UTC+3 | Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 8,925 Referee: Mohammed Al-Hoaish (Saudi Arabia) |
10 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Iran ![]() |
3–0 | ![]() |
Tehran, Iran |
19:30 UTC+3:30 |
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Stadium: Azadi Stadium Attendance: 16,803 Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia) |
29 August 2025 CAFA Nations Cup | Iran ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Hisor, Tajikistan |
Stadium: Hisor Central Stadium |
4 September 2025 CAFA Nations Cup | Tajikistan ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Hisor, Tajikistan |
Stadium: Hisor Central Stadium |
- FIFA International match days 2023-2030
Team Staff
Position | Name |
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Head Coach | ![]() |
Assistant Coach(es) | ![]() |
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Goalkeeping Coach | ![]() |
Fitness Coach | ![]() |
Physiotherapist | ![]() |
Team Doctor | ![]() |
Masseurs | ![]() |
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Team Supervisor | ![]() |
Team Management | ![]() |
Current Players
These players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June 2025. Caps and goals are updated as of June 10, 2025, after the match against North Korea.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Alireza Beiranvand | 21 September 1992 | 80 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | GK | Payam Niazmand | 6 April 1995 | 9 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | GK | Hossein Hosseini | 30 June 1992 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Sadegh Moharrami | 1 April 1996 | 30 | 1 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Amin Hazbavi | 6 May 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Saleh Hardani | 26 December 1998 | 14 | 1 | ![]() |
8 | DF | Morteza Pouraliganji | 19 April 1992 | 54 | 3 | ![]() |
11 | DF | Ali Nemati | 7 February 1996 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
19 | DF | Aref Aghasi | 2 January 1997 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
21 | DF | Omid Noorafkan | 9 April 1997 | 30 | 1 | ![]() |
23 | DF | Aria Yousefi | 22 April 2002 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
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3 | MF | Mohammad Ghorbani | 21 May 2001 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
6 | MF | Saeid Ezatolahi | 1 October 1996 | 77 | 1 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad | 26 June 2003 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
13 | MF | Amirmohammad Razzaghinia | 11 April 2006 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Saman Ghoddos | 6 September 1993 | 59 | 3 | ![]() |
15 | MF | Rouzbeh Cheshmi | 24 July 1993 | 37 | 3 | ![]() |
17 | MF | Mehdi Hashemnejad | 27 October 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
20 | MF | Mohammad Mehdi Mohebi | 10 February 2000 | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
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9 | FW | Mehdi Taremi | 18 July 1992 | 94 | 55 | ![]() |
10 | FW | Shahriyar Moghanlou | 21 December 1994 | 16 | 2 | ![]() |
16 | FW | Ali Alipour | 11 November 1995 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
18 | FW | Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh | 30 October 2000 | 7 | 1 | ![]() |
Recent Call-ups
These players have been called up in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Mohamad Khalifeh | 19 August 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Parsa Jafari | 9 July 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Mohammad Reza Akhbari | 15 February 1993 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Arsha Shakouri | 1 October 2006 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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DF | Shojae Khalilzadeh | 14 May 1989 | 50 | 2 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Milad Mohammadi | 29 September 1993 | 70 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Majid Hosseini | 20 June 1996 | 28 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Yaghoub Barage | 26 January 2006 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Mohammad Mehdi Zare | 25 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Hossein Kanaanizadegan | 23 March 1994 | 59 | 6 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Danial Eiri | 26 October 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Mohammad Daneshgar | 24 January 1994 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Abolfazl Jalali | 26 June 1998 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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MF | Mohammad Karimi | 20 June 1996 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Mehdi Torabi WD | 10 September 1994 | 51 | 7 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Mehdi Ghayedi INJ | 5 December 1998 | 27 | 9 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Mohammad Askari | 7 February 2006 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Aref Haji Eydi | 6 April 1999 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Mohammad Hossein Sadeghi | 28 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | 11 August 1993 | 91 | 17 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ali Gholizadeh | 10 March 1996 | 42 | 6 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Mohammad Mohebi | 20 December 1998 | 28 | 10 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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FW | Sardar Azmoun | 1 January 1995 | 91 | 57 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Saeid Saharkhizan | 26 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Allahyar Sayyadmanesh | 29 June 2001 | 8 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Javad Aghaeipour | 6 December 1999 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
INJ Withdrew due to injury |
Player Records
These statistics include only official matches recognized by FIFA. Players in bold are still active with Iran.
Most Games Played
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Javad Nekounam | 149 | 38 | 2000–2015 |
2 | Ali Daei | 148 | 108 | 1993–2006 |
3 | Ehsan Hajsafi | 142 | 7 | 2008–2024 |
4 | Ali Karimi | 127 | 38 | 1998–2012 |
5 | Jalal Hosseini | 115 | 8 | 2007–2018 |
6 | Mehdi Mahdavikia | 110 | 13 | 1996–2009 |
7 | Karim Ansarifard | 104 | 30 | 2009–2024 |
8 | Andranik Teymourian | 101 | 9 | 2005–2016 |
9 | Mehdi Taremi | 94 | 55 | 2015–present |
10 | Sardar Azmoun | 91 | 57 | 2014–present |
Alireza Jahanbakhsh | 91 | 17 | 2013–present |
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ali Daei (list) | 108 | 148 | 0.73 | 1993–2006 |
2 | Sardar Azmoun | 57 | 91 | 0.63 | 2014–present |
3 | Mehdi Taremi | 55 | 94 | 0.59 | 2015–present |
4 | Karim Bagheri | 50 | 87 | 0.57 | 1993–2010 |
5 | Ali Karimi | 38 | 127 | 0.3 | 1998–2012 |
Javad Nekounam | 38 | 149 | 0.26 | 2000–2015 | |
7 | Karim Ansarifard | 30 | 104 | 0.29 | 2009–2024 |
8 | Gholam Hossein Mazloumi | 19 | 40 | 0.48 | 1969–1977 |
9 | Farshad Pious | 18 | 34 | 0.53 | 1984–1994 |
10 | Reza Ghoochannejhad | 17 | 44 | 0.39 | 2012–2018 |
Alireza Jahanbakhsh | 17 | 91 | 0.19 | 2013–present |
Most Capped Goalkeepers
Rank | Player | Caps | Career |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Alireza Beiranvand | 80 | 2015–present |
2 | Mehdi Rahmati | 76 | 2004–2012 |
3 | Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh | 73 | 1987–1998 |
4 | Ebrahim Mirzapour | 70 | 2001–2011 |
5 | Nasser Hejazi | 62 | 1968–1980 |
6 | Behzad Gholampour | 27 | 1990–1999 |
7 | Aziz Asli | 24 | 1962–1968 |
8 | Alireza Haghighi | 23 | 2012–2018 |
9 | Mansour Rashidi | 20 | 1972–1985 |
Parviz Boroumand | 1998–2001 |
Team Captains
# | Reign | Player | Career | Total | As Captain | Tournaments | ||
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Caps | Goals | Caps | Goals | |||||
1 | 1965–1967 | Mohammad Ranjbar | 1959–1967 | 23 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
2 | 1967–1970 | Hassan Habibi | 1958–1970 | 31 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1968 AFC Asian Cup |
3 | 1970–1972 | Mostafa Arab | 1959–1972 | 48 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 1972 AFC Asian Cup |
4 | 1972–1977 | Parviz Ghelichkhani | 1964–1977 | 64 | 12 | 26 | 7 | 1976 AFC Asian Cup |
5 | 1977–1980 | Ali Parvin | 1970–1980 | 76 | 13 | 31 | 2 | 1978 FIFA World Cup |
6 | 1980 | Nasser Hejazi | 1968–1980 | 62 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1980 AFC Asian Cup |
7 | 1980–1984 | Mehdi Dinvarzadeh | 1977–1984 | 26 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
8 | 1984–87 1989–91 |
Mohammad Panjali | 1978–1991 | 45 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 1984 AFC Asian Cup |
9 | 1987–89 1991–93 |
Sirous Ghayeghran | 1986–1993 | 43 | 6 | 22 | 3 | 1988 AFC Asian Cup 1992 AFC Asian Cup |
10 | 1993 | Hamid Derakhshan | 1980–1993 | 41 | 9 | 12 | 3 | |
11 | 1993–1994 | Farshad Pious | 1984–1994 | 35 | 19 | 4 | 1 | |
12 | 1996 | Mojtaba Moharrami | 1988–1996 | 37 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1996 AFC Asian Cup |
13 | 1996–1998 | Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh | 1988–1998 | 78 | 0 | 38 | 0 | 1998 FIFA World Cup |
14 | 1998–1999 | Nader Mohammadkhani | 1988–1999 | 64 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 1998 FIFA World Cup |
15 | 1999–2000 | Javad Zarincheh | 1987–2000 | 80 | 1 | 8 | 0 | |
16 | 2000–2006 | Ali Daei | 1993–2006 | 148 | 108 | 80 | 44 | 2000 AFC Asian Cup 2004 AFC Asian Cup 2006 FIFA World Cup |
17 | 2006–2009 | Mehdi Mahdavikia | 1996–2009 | 111 | 13 | 17 | 1 | 2007 AFC Asian Cup |
18 | 2009–2015 | Javad Nekounam | 2000–2015 | 149 | 38 | 56 | 18 | 2011 AFC Asian Cup 2014 FIFA World Cup 2015 AFC Asian Cup |
19 | 2015–2016 | Andranik Teymourian | 2005–2016 | 101 | 9 | 9 | 1 | |
20 | 2016–2019 | Masoud Shojaei | 2004–2019 | 87 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup 2019 AFC Asian Cup |
21 | 2019–2024 | Ehsan Hajsafi | 2008–2024 | 142 | 7 | 43 | 3 | 2022 FIFA World Cup 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
22 | 2024– | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | 2013– | 91 | 17 | 6 | 0 |
FIFA World Rankings

From December 2014 to May 2018, Iran was the highest-ranked team in Asia. This was the longest time any Asian team held that spot.
- Highest FIFA ranking: 15 (July 2005)
- Lowest FIFA ranking: 122 (May 1996)
- Best mover: +65 (July 1996)
- Worst mover: –43 (October 1995)
Last update was on January 1, 2022.
Best Ranking Worst Ranking Best Mover Worst Mover
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||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Year | Games Played |
Won | Drawn | Lost | Best | Worst | |||
Rank | Move | Rank | Move | |||||||
24 | 2022 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 20 | ![]() |
24 | ![]() |
|
21 | 2021 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 21 | ![]() |
31 | ![]() |
|
29 | 2020 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 29 | ![]() |
33 | ![]() |
|
33 | 2019 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 20 | ![]() |
33 | ![]() |
|
29 | 2018 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 28 | ![]() |
37 | ![]() |
|
32 | 2017 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 23 | ![]() |
43 | ![]() |
|
29 | 2016 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 27 | ![]() |
44 | ![]() |
|
45 | 2015 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 38 | ![]() |
51 | ![]() |
|
51 | 2014 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 34 | ![]() |
56 | ![]() |
|
33 | 2013 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 33 | ![]() |
67 | ![]() |
|
59 | 2012 | 14 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 44 | ![]() |
59 | ![]() |
|
45 | 2011 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 42 | ![]() |
65 | ![]() |
|
66 | 2010 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 57 | ![]() |
67 | ![]() |
|
64 | 2009 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 42 | ![]() |
64 | ![]() |
|
43 | 2008 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 37 | ![]() |
51 | ![]() |
|
41 | 2007 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 32 | ![]() |
47 | ![]() |
|
38 | 2006 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 19 | ![]() |
47 | ![]() |
|
19 | 2005 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 15 | ![]() |
21 | ![]() |
|
20 | 2004 | 18 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 17 | ![]() |
31 | ![]() |
|
28 | 2003 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 28 | ![]() |
47 | ![]() |
|
33 | 2002 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 29 | ![]() |
34 | ![]() |
|
29 | 2001 | 20 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 29 | ![]() |
51 | ![]() |
|
37 | 2000 | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 37 | ![]() |
53 | ![]() |
|
49 | 1999 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 44 | ![]() |
51 | ![]() |
|
27 | 1998 | 18 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 27 | ![]() |
47 | ![]() |
|
46 | 1997 | 22 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 46 | ![]() |
87 | ![]() |
|
83 | 1996 | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 57 | ![]() |
122 | ![]() |
|
108 | 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 | ![]() |
108 | ![]() |
|
75 | 1994 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 57 | ![]() |
75 | ![]() |
|
59 | 1993 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 54 | ![]() |
59 | ![]() |
Honors and Awards
Intercontinental Titles
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
- Runners-up (1): 1991
- AFC–OFC Challenge Cup
- Champions (1): 2003
Continental Titles
- AFC Asian Cup
- Champions (3): 1968, 1972, 1976
- Third place (6): 1980, 1988, 1996, 2004, 2019, 2023
- Asian Games1
- Gold medal (3): 1974, 1990, 1998
- Silver medal (2): 1951, 1966
Regional Titles
- WAFF Championship
- Champions (4): 2000, 2004, 2007, 2008
- Runners-up (1): 2010
- Third place (1): 2002
- CAFA Championship
- Champions (1): 2023
- West Asian Games
- Gold medal (1): 1997
- Runners-up (1): 2002
- Third place (1): 2005
Friendly Tournament Wins
- ECO Cup
- Winners: 1965, 1970, 1993
- LG Cup
- Winners: 2001, 2002 (Morocco), 2002 (Iran), 2006
- Quaid-e-Azam International Tournament
- Winners: 1982
- Cyrus International Tournament
- Winners: 1971
- Iran International Tournament
- Winners: 1974
Awards
- AFC Asian Cup Fair Play Award: 1996
Summary of Official Honors
These are official senior honors recognized by FIFA or related football groups.
Competition | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
AFC Asian Cup | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
AFC–OFC Challenge Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 4 | 1 | 6 | 11 |
- Notes
- This competition is organized by the OCA and is not officially recognized by FIFA.
More About Iranian Football
- Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran
- Persian Gulf Pro League (Iran's top football league)
- Football in Iran
- Iran national futsal team (indoor football)
- Iran national beach soccer team
- Iran national under-23 football team
- Iran women's national football team
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Irán para niños