Iran national football team: Difference between revisions
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====Qualification==== |
====Qualification==== |
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{{main article|2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)}} |
{{main article|2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)}} |
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On 4 April 2011, former [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] manager [[Carlos Queiroz]] agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal to coach the Iranian national team until the end of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] in [[Brazil]].<ref name="Goal">{{cite news | last = Soccernet | first = Goal | title = Carlos Queiroz agrees deal to become Iran head coach | work = Sport | publisher = Soccernet | date = 4 April 2011 | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/902584/carlos-queiroz-agrees-deal-to-become-iran-coach?cc=5901 | accessdate = 4 April 2011 | location=Dubai}}</ref> Under Queiroz, Iran began their [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|World Cup qualification]] campaign successfully, defeating the [[Maldives national football team|Maldives]] 4–0 in the first leg of their [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round|second round of qualifiers]]. After winning 5–0 on aggregate, Iran advanced to the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round|third round of qualifiers]], where they were drawn with [[Indonesia national football team|Indonesia]], [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]] and [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]]. Iran highlighted their position at the top of [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round#Group E|their group]] by defeating Bahrain 6–0 at home in the [[Azadi Stadium]], as well as inviting former [[Germany national youth football team|German youth international]], [[Ashkan Dejagah]], who scored twice on his debut against Qatar. After a 4–1 win at Indonesia, Iran qualified for the final round of direct qualifiers, the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round|fourth round]]. In the fourth round, Iran was drawn with [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]], [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]], [[Uzbekistan national football team|Uzbekistan]], and [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] in [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round#Group A|their group]]. Queiroz made new [[Iranian diaspora|foreign-based]] additions to his squad, adding players such as [[Reza Ghoochannejhad]] to his team. Iran started their fourth round of Asian qualifiers with a 1–0 win in Uzbekistan. ''Team Melli'' then drew Qatar and lost in Lebanon before defeating South Korea at the Azadi on 16 October with a goal from captain [[Javad Nekounam]]. After a 1–0 loss in [[Tehran]] against Uzbekistan, Iran defeated Qatar 1–0 in [[Doha]] and Lebanon 4–0 at home. In their last qualification match, Iran defeated South Korea 1–0 in [[Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium|Ulsan Munsu]] with a goal from Ghoochannejhad, resulting in their [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualification]] to the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] as group winners with 16 points. Thus, Iran became the third team that Queiroz has managed to qualify for the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], having reached the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 edition]] with [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] and the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 edition]] with [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], leading the latter to a knockout stage finish. Iran continued their winning streak, securing [[2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification|qualification]] to the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup|2015 Asian Cup]] months later as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men/afc-asian-cup-qualifiers/27245-lib-irn-md5-201113.html |title=Asian Cup 2015 (Qs) MD5: Lebanon 1–4 Iran |publisher=[[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] |date=20 November 2013 |accessdate=}}</ref> |
On 4 April 2011, former [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] manager [[Carlos Queiroz]] agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal to coach the Iranian national team until the end of the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] in [[Brazil]].<ref name="Goal">{{cite news | last = Soccernet | first = Goal | title = Carlos Queiroz agrees deal to become Iran head coach | work = Sport | publisher = Soccernet | date = 4 April 2011 | url = http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/902584/carlos-queiroz-agrees-deal-to-become-iran-coach?cc=5901 | accessdate = 4 April 2011 | location=Dubai}}</ref> Under Queiroz, Iran began their [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|World Cup qualification]] campaign successfully, defeating the [[Maldives national football team|Maldives]] 4–0 in the first leg of their [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Second Round|second round of qualifiers]]. After winning 5–0 on aggregate, Iran advanced to the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round|third round of qualifiers]], where they were drawn with [[Indonesia national football team|Indonesia]], [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]] and [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]]. Iran highlighted their position at the top of [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round#Group E|their group]] by defeating Bahrain 6–0 at home in the [[Azadi Stadium]], as well as inviting former [[Germany national youth football team|German youth international]], [[Ashkan Dejagah]], who scored twice on his debut against Qatar. After a 4–1 win at Indonesia, Iran qualified for the final round of direct qualifiers, the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round|fourth round]]. In the fourth round, Iran was drawn with [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]], [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]], [[Uzbekistan national football team|Uzbekistan]], and [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] in [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round#Group A|their group]]. Queiroz made new [[Iranian diaspora|foreign-based]] additions to his squad, adding players such as [[Reza Ghoochannejhad]] to his team. Iran started their fourth round of Asian qualifiers with a 1–0 win in Uzbekistan. ''Team Melli'' then drew Qatar and lost in Lebanon before defeating South Korea at the Azadi on 16 October with a goal from captain [[Javad Nekounam]]. After a 1–0 loss in [[Tehran]] against Uzbekistan, Iran defeated Qatar 1–0 in [[Doha]] and Lebanon 4–0 at home. In their last qualification match, Iran defeated South Korea 1–0 in [[Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium|Ulsan Munsu]] with a goal from Ghoochannejhad, resulting in their [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification|qualification]] to the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] as group winners with 16 points. Thus, Iran became the third team that Queiroz has managed to qualify for the [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]], having reached the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 edition]] with [[South Africa national football team|South Africa]] and the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 edition]] with [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]], leading the latter to a knockout stage finish. Iran continued their winning streak, securing [[2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification|qualification]] to the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup|2015 Asian Cup]] months later as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men/afc-asian-cup-qualifiers/27245-lib-irn-md5-201113.html |title=Asian Cup 2015 (Qs) MD5: Lebanon 1–4 Iran |publisher=[[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]] |date=20 November 2013 |accessdate= |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514040022/http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men/afc-asian-cup-qualifiers/27245-lib-irn-md5-201113.html |archivedate=14 May 2014 |df= }}</ref> |
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====Foreign-based call-ups==== |
====Foreign-based call-ups==== |
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[[File:Iran vs. Argentina match, 2014 FIFA World Cup 15.jpg|thumb|left|Iran vs. [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]]] |
[[File:Iran vs. Argentina match, 2014 FIFA World Cup 15.jpg|thumb|left|Iran vs. [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]]] |
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Iran qualified for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] as [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round#Group A|group winners]] and competed in [[2014 FIFA World Cup Group F|Group F]] alongside [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. The sold out Argentina match tickets were among the eight most purchased for this edition of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.persianfootball.com/news/2014/03/15/iran-argentina-sold-out-tickts-is-among-top-eight-in-brazil/|title=Iran – Argentina sold out is among top eight in Brazil|work=persianfootball.com}}</ref> On 1 June 2014, Queiroz announced his 23-man [[2014 FIFA World Cup squads#Iran|squad]].<ref name="2014wcsquad">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=quieroz-trims-squad-to-24-2351854.html |title=Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24 |date=1 June 2014 |accessdate=1 June 2014 |publisher=FIFA.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601164415/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y%3D2014/m%3D6/news%3Dquieroz-trims-squad-to-24-2351854.html |archivedate= 1 June 2014 |df= }}</ref> Prior to the tournament, they founded the [[Central Asian Football Association]].<ref>[http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/28784-central-zone-gets-thumbs-up-from-tajikistan.html 'Central Zone' gets thumbs up from Tajikistan]</ref> |
Iran qualified for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] as [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round#Group A|group winners]] and competed in [[2014 FIFA World Cup Group F|Group F]] alongside [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], and [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. The sold out Argentina match tickets were among the eight most purchased for this edition of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.persianfootball.com/news/2014/03/15/iran-argentina-sold-out-tickts-is-among-top-eight-in-brazil/|title=Iran – Argentina sold out is among top eight in Brazil|work=persianfootball.com}}</ref> On 1 June 2014, Queiroz announced his 23-man [[2014 FIFA World Cup squads#Iran|squad]].<ref name="2014wcsquad">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=6/news=quieroz-trims-squad-to-24-2351854.html |title=Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24 |date=1 June 2014 |accessdate=1 June 2014 |publisher=FIFA.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601164415/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y%3D2014/m%3D6/news%3Dquieroz-trims-squad-to-24-2351854.html |archivedate= 1 June 2014 |df= }}</ref> Prior to the tournament, they founded the [[Central Asian Football Association]].<ref>[http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/28784-central-zone-gets-thumbs-up-from-tajikistan.html 'Central Zone' gets thumbs up from Tajikistan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612013350/http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/28784-central-zone-gets-thumbs-up-from-tajikistan.html |date=2014-06-12 }}</ref> |
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In the opening match of the tournament on June 16, Iran drew [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] 0–0, making it their first clean sheet of the [[FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2659372/Iran-0-0-Nigeria-Super-Eagles-play-World-Cups-goalless-draw.html|title=Iran 0–0 Nigeria: Super Eagles play out World Cup's first goalless draw|work=Mail Online}}</ref> In their next match, Iran was [[List of 2014 FIFA World Cup controversies#Argentina vs Iran|defeated]] by [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] 1–0 with a late goal from [[Lionel Messi]], and received praise after holding Argentina for 90 minutes while creating some attacking opportunities of their own.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285221|title=BBC Sport – World Cup: Argentina 1–0 Iran|author=David Ornstein|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Iran was eliminated from the tournament in their next game, a 3–1 defeat to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. Iran's lone goal was scored by [[Reza Ghoochannejhad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140625-reza-makes-charlton-history-at-world-cup-1678140.aspx|title=Iran's Rez Ghoochannejhad becomes Charlton's first ever player to score a goal at the World Cup after 3–1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina|author=Olly Groome|work=cafc.co.uk}}</ref> After the tournament, Queiroz declared he would resign as manager of Iran, but later switched and extended his contract until the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/17/uk-soccer-asia-iran-quieroz-idUKKBN0HC04720140917|title=Queiroz ends contract saga by signing Iran deal|work=Reuters UK}}</ref> |
In the opening match of the tournament on June 16, Iran drew [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] 0–0, making it their first clean sheet of the [[FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2659372/Iran-0-0-Nigeria-Super-Eagles-play-World-Cups-goalless-draw.html|title=Iran 0–0 Nigeria: Super Eagles play out World Cup's first goalless draw|work=Mail Online}}</ref> In their next match, Iran was [[List of 2014 FIFA World Cup controversies#Argentina vs Iran|defeated]] by [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] 1–0 with a late goal from [[Lionel Messi]], and received praise after holding Argentina for 90 minutes while creating some attacking opportunities of their own.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285221|title=BBC Sport – World Cup: Argentina 1–0 Iran|author=David Ornstein|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Iran was eliminated from the tournament in their next game, a 3–1 defeat to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team|Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. Iran's lone goal was scored by [[Reza Ghoochannejhad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140625-reza-makes-charlton-history-at-world-cup-1678140.aspx|title=Iran's Rez Ghoochannejhad becomes Charlton's first ever player to score a goal at the World Cup after 3–1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina|author=Olly Groome|work=cafc.co.uk}}</ref> After the tournament, Queiroz declared he would resign as manager of Iran, but later switched and extended his contract until the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/17/uk-soccer-asia-iran-quieroz-idUKKBN0HC04720140917|title=Queiroz ends contract saga by signing Iran deal|work=Reuters UK}}</ref> |
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Iran qualified for the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup]] as [[2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification#Group B|group winners]], where Team Melli were the highest [[FIFA World Rankings|ranked]] [[Seed (sports)|seed]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/uk-soccer-asia-cup-idUKBREA2H04J20140318|title=Hosts Australia top seeds for 2015 Asian Cup |publisher=Reuters|date= |accessdate=18 March 2014}}</ref> Iran faced [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]], [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]] and the [[United Arab Emirates national football team|UAE]] in [[2015 AFC Asian Cup Group C|Group C]]. Queiroz announced his squad on 30 December 2014.<ref name="2015acsquad">{{cite web|url=http://www.afcasiancup.com/news/en/nekounam-headlines-iranian-squad/10ppu97hz8lxf1ik1ux49b1ve0 |title=Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad |date=30 December 2014 |publisher=afcasiancup.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101072926/http://www.afcasiancup.com/news/en/nekounam-headlines-iranian-squad/10ppu97hz8lxf1ik1ux49b1ve0 |archivedate= 1 January 2015 |df= }}</ref> |
Iran qualified for the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup]] as [[2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification#Group B|group winners]], where Team Melli were the highest [[FIFA World Rankings|ranked]] [[Seed (sports)|seed]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/uk-soccer-asia-cup-idUKBREA2H04J20140318|title=Hosts Australia top seeds for 2015 Asian Cup |publisher=Reuters|date= |accessdate=18 March 2014}}</ref> Iran faced [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]], [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]] and the [[United Arab Emirates national football team|UAE]] in [[2015 AFC Asian Cup Group C|Group C]]. Queiroz announced his squad on 30 December 2014.<ref name="2015acsquad">{{cite web|url=http://www.afcasiancup.com/news/en/nekounam-headlines-iranian-squad/10ppu97hz8lxf1ik1ux49b1ve0 |title=Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad |date=30 December 2014 |publisher=afcasiancup.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101072926/http://www.afcasiancup.com/news/en/nekounam-headlines-iranian-squad/10ppu97hz8lxf1ik1ux49b1ve0 |archivedate= 1 January 2015 |df= }}</ref> |
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With the second highest number of fans in the tournament after hosts [[Australia national soccer team|Australia]], the Iranians defeated Bahrain 2–0 with limited preparations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/25960236/iranian-crowd-sets-asian-cup-standard/|title=Iranian crowd sets Asian Cup standard|work=yahoo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/3550/asian-cup/2015/01/11/7862822/queiroz-iran-victimised-by-fifa-sanctions|title=Queiroz: Iran 'victimised' by sanctions - Goal.com|work=Goal.com}}</ref> A defensive minded Iran then defeated [[Persian Gulf]] [[2014 Gulf Cup of Nations|Cup]] champions Qatar 1–0 thanks to a [[Sardar Azmoun]] goal before defeating the UAE by the same scoreline to reach the top of their group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-23/iran-censors-images-of--inappropriate-female-soccer-fans/6043600|title=#teammelli: Social media helps Iranian fans defy censorship of images from Asian Cup matches in Australia|work=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/iran-vs-uae/1466402/report|title=Iran 1 - 0 UAE Match report - 1/19/15 Asian Cup - Goal.com|work=goal.com}}</ref> |
With the second highest number of fans in the tournament after hosts [[Australia national soccer team|Australia]], the Iranians defeated Bahrain 2–0 with limited preparations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/25960236/iranian-crowd-sets-asian-cup-standard/|title=Iranian crowd sets Asian Cup standard|work=yahoo.com|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124082850/https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/25960236/iranian-crowd-sets-asian-cup-standard/|archivedate=2015-01-24|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/3550/asian-cup/2015/01/11/7862822/queiroz-iran-victimised-by-fifa-sanctions|title=Queiroz: Iran 'victimised' by sanctions - Goal.com|work=Goal.com}}</ref> A defensive minded Iran then defeated [[Persian Gulf]] [[2014 Gulf Cup of Nations|Cup]] champions Qatar 1–0 thanks to a [[Sardar Azmoun]] goal before defeating the UAE by the same scoreline to reach the top of their group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-23/iran-censors-images-of--inappropriate-female-soccer-fans/6043600|title=#teammelli: Social media helps Iranian fans defy censorship of images from Asian Cup matches in Australia|work=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/iran-vs-uae/1466402/report|title=Iran 1 - 0 UAE Match report - 1/19/15 Asian Cup - Goal.com|work=goal.com}}</ref> |
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In the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage#Iran vs Iraq|quarter-finals]] Iran faced [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]], who they had beaten weeks prior in a [[Exhibition game#International football|friendly match]]. Having received a controversial [[penalty card#Red card|red card]] in the first half, Iran competed with ten men, managing to score goals late in [[Overtime (association football)|extra time]] to draw the match 3–3. In the ensuing [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]], Iran lost 7–6 in [[Sudden death (sport)#Association football|sudden death]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/afc-asian-cup/former-socceroos-blast-referee-ben-williams-for-embarrasing-sendoff-in-irans-asian-cup-loss-to-iraq-20150124-12xdox.html|title=Former Socceroos blast referee Ben Williams for 'embarrasing' [sic] send-off in Iran's Asian Cup loss to Iraq|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jan/23/asian-cup-iran-fans-protest|title=Iranian women stand united in protest and hope at Asian Cup|author=Joe Gorman|work=the Guardian}}</ref> |
In the [[2015 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage#Iran vs Iraq|quarter-finals]] Iran faced [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]], who they had beaten weeks prior in a [[Exhibition game#International football|friendly match]]. Having received a controversial [[penalty card#Red card|red card]] in the first half, Iran competed with ten men, managing to score goals late in [[Overtime (association football)|extra time]] to draw the match 3–3. In the ensuing [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]], Iran lost 7–6 in [[Sudden death (sport)#Association football|sudden death]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/afc-asian-cup/former-socceroos-blast-referee-ben-williams-for-embarrasing-sendoff-in-irans-asian-cup-loss-to-iraq-20150124-12xdox.html|title=Former Socceroos blast referee Ben Williams for 'embarrasing' [sic] send-off in Iran's Asian Cup loss to Iraq|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jan/23/asian-cup-iran-fans-protest|title=Iranian women stand united in protest and hope at Asian Cup|author=Joe Gorman|work=the Guardian}}</ref> |
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==Nicknames== |
==Nicknames== |
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The Iranian national team has received several nicknames by supporters and media. The most common one used is ''"Team Melli"'', which literally means ''"The National Team"''. Iranians call any national team from any country or sport a ''"Team Melli"'' and because of this it has become common for the national team to be referred to as the ''"Team Melli Iran"'' or, more specifically in the case of the national football team, the ''"Team Melli e Football e Iran"''. Although the Iranian supporters have popularized ''"Team Melli"'', other nicknames for the team include ''"Persian Stars"''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/45657/uae-vs-iran/report |title=UAE 0–3 Iran: Team Melli Cruise Into Quarter-Finals |publisher=Goal.com|date= |accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/57314/iran-vs-russia/report? |title=Iran 1–0 Russia: Khalatbari Strike Sinks The Sbornaya |publisher=Goal.com |date= |accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufwc.co.uk/2012/09/iran-vs-north-korea-prepare-for-the-ufwc-megaclash/ |title=Iran vs North Korea: prepare for the UFWC ‘megaclash’|publisher=UFWC|date=23 Sep 2012|accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref> (entitled since [[2006 FIFA World Cup|the World Cup 2006]]) ''"Shiran e Iran"'',<ref name="khabar">{{cite web|url=http://www.khabarsport.com/detail/3527/ |title= |
The Iranian national team has received several nicknames by supporters and media. The most common one used is ''"Team Melli"'', which literally means ''"The National Team"''. Iranians call any national team from any country or sport a ''"Team Melli"'' and because of this it has become common for the national team to be referred to as the ''"Team Melli Iran"'' or, more specifically in the case of the national football team, the ''"Team Melli e Football e Iran"''. Although the Iranian supporters have popularized ''"Team Melli"'', other nicknames for the team include ''"Persian Stars"''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/45657/uae-vs-iran/report |title=UAE 0–3 Iran: Team Melli Cruise Into Quarter-Finals |publisher=Goal.com|date= |accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/57314/iran-vs-russia/report? |title=Iran 1–0 Russia: Khalatbari Strike Sinks The Sbornaya |publisher=Goal.com |date= |accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufwc.co.uk/2012/09/iran-vs-north-korea-prepare-for-the-ufwc-megaclash/ |title=Iran vs North Korea: prepare for the UFWC ‘megaclash’|publisher=UFWC|date=23 Sep 2012|accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref> (entitled since [[2006 FIFA World Cup|the World Cup 2006]]) ''"Shiran e Iran"'',<ref name="khabar">{{cite web |url=http://www.khabarsport.com/detail/3527/ |title=Elephants surrounded by the lions of Iran (in Persian) |publisher=khabarsport.com |date=15 October 2013 |accessdate=22 October 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20131022101157/http://www.khabarsport.com/detail/3527/ |archivedate=22 October 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref name="varzesh11">{{cite web|url=http://www.varzesh11.com/fa/soccer_news_centre/news/تمجید_سایت_AFC_از_رحمان_احمدی_دروازه_بان_شیران_ایران/2426 |title= The AFC website hailed Rahman Ahmadi the goalkeeper of Iranian lions (in Persian) |publisher=Varzesh11 |date= |accessdate=22 October 2013}}</ref> meaning "The [[Persian Lion|Iranian Lions]]" or "The Lions of Persia",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2012/06/sports-the-lions-of-persia.html |title= The Lions of Persia |publisher=Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) |date= 12 Jun 2012|accessdate=22 October 2013}}</ref> ''"Shirdelan"'', "Lion Hearts" and ''"Princes of Persia"''<ref name="espnfc">{{cite web | url=http://espnfc.com/columns/story/_/id/861355/john-duerden:-asian-cup-history?cc=5901| title=Traditional powers eye return to glory (Princes of Persia become Kings of Asia) |publisher=ESPN |date=6 January 2011 |accessdate=21 October 2013}}</ref><ref name="irandaily">{{cite web | url=http://www.iran-daily.com/1389/10/9/MainPaper/3858/Page/11/MainPaper_3858_11.pdf |title=Princes of Persia Rout Qatar Army |format=PDF |publisher=Iran-daily| accessdate=22 October 2013}}</ref> (used since [[2011 AFC Asian Cup|AFC Asian Cup 2011]])<ref name="presstv">{{cite web |url=http://edition.presstv.ir/detail.fa/157612.html |title=Princes of Persia' to begin 2011 event |publisher=Press TV |accessdate=22 October 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061027/http://edition.presstv.ir/detail.fa/157612.html |archivedate=23 October 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-534561 |title=What a despicable slogan for Iranian soccer team |publisher=CNN iReport| accessdate=22 October 2013}}</ref> have been used in media as well.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} Iran's slogan for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]] was ''Honour of Persia'', selected in an internet poll held by [[FIFA]].<ref name="honourofpersia">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/15/sport/football/world-cup-slogans-football/|title=World Cup 2014: FIFA's bus slogans cause misery and mirth on social media|author=Matt Knight, CNN|date=15 May 2014|work=CNN}}</ref><ref name="fifa.slogans2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/games/be-there-with-hyundai/winning-slogans |title=The Winners |publisher=fifa.com|date= |accessdate=10 June 2014}}</ref> A recently used nickname, due to the presence of the [[Asiatic cheetah]] on the 2014 World Cup jersey, is 'The Cheetahs' from 2014 in Iran called yoozpalangan.<ref name="PersianFootball.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.persianfootball.com/news/2014/02/01/irans-world-cup-kit-unveiled-photos/|title=Iran’s World Cup kits unveiled [PHOTOS] |publisher=PersianFootball.com|date= |accessdate=1 February 2014}}</ref> |
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==Rivalries== |
==Rivalries== |
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|title = <small>[[1971 Cyrus International Tournament|1971 Cyrus Cup]]<ref>[http://www.nividar.com/news/532354e60996a6763f5f2216 تیم ملی ایران با پیراهن آبی]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsport.ir/fa/posts/6684|title=تیم ملی ایران با پیراهن آبی +عکس – دی اسپورت – www.dsport.ir|work=dsport.ir}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://parsinews.ir/news/page/d05fa164c9ad4d848a788f78281ef240|title=پارسینیوز|publisher=}}</ref></small> |
|title = <small>[[1971 Cyrus International Tournament|1971 Cyrus Cup]]<ref>[http://www.nividar.com/news/532354e60996a6763f5f2216 تیم ملی ایران با پیراهن آبی] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20150415043233/http://www.nividar.com/news/532354e60996a6763f5f2216 |date=2015-04-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsport.ir/fa/posts/6684|title=تیم ملی ایران با پیراهن آبی +عکس – دی اسپورت – www.dsport.ir|work=dsport.ir}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://parsinews.ir/news/page/d05fa164c9ad4d848a788f78281ef240|title=پارسینیوز|publisher=}}</ref></small> |
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|4 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1968.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over sport. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|4 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1968.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over sport. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724161357/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1968.htm |archivedate=2011-07-24 |df= }}</ref> |
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|style="text-align:left;"|[[Hassan Habibi (footballer)|Hassan Habibi]] |
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Hassan Habibi (footballer)|Hassan Habibi]] |
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|[[Asian Cup 1968|Iran 1968]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1968|Iran 1968]] |
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|4 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1972.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over sport. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|4 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1972.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over sport. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724161402/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1972.htm |archivedate=2011-07-24 |df= }}</ref> |
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|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mostafa Arab]] |
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mostafa Arab]] |
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|[[Asian Cup 1972|Thailand 1972]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1972|Thailand 1972]] |
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|3 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1976.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|3 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1976.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724181140/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1976.htm |archivedate=2011-07-24 |df= }}</ref> |
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|style="text-align:left;"|[[Parviz Ghelichkhani]] |
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Parviz Ghelichkhani]] |
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|[[Asian Cup 1976|Iran 1976]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1976|Iran 1976]] |
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|5 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1980.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|5 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1980.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724163925/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1980.htm |archivedate=2011-07-24 |df= }}</ref> |
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|style="text-align:left;"|[[Nasser Hejazi]] |
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Nasser Hejazi]] |
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|[[Asian Cup 1980|Kuwait 1980]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1980|Kuwait 1980]] |
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|6 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1984.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|6 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1984.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217040531/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1984.htm |archivedate=2010-02-17 |df= }}</ref> |
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|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mohammad Panjali]] |
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mohammad Panjali]] |
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|[[Asian Cup 1984|Singapore 1984]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1984|Singapore 1984]] |
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|6 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1988.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|6 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1988.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106064044/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1988.htm |archivedate=2010-01-06 |df= }}</ref> |
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| rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|[[Sirous Ghayeghran]] |
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;"|[[Sirous Ghayeghran]] |
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|[[Asian Cup 1988|Qatar 1988]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1988|Qatar 1988]] |
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|3 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1992.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|3 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1992.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105122748/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1992.htm |archivedate=2010-01-05 |df= }}</ref> |
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|[[Asian Cup 1992|Japan 1992]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1992|Japan 1992]] |
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|2 (0)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1996.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07}}</ref> |
|2 (0)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1996.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over ورزشی. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=parssport.ir |date= |accessdate=2010-09-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724181200/http://www.parssport.ir/football/iran/national%20team/games/asian%20cup/asian_cup_1996.htm |archivedate=2011-07-24 |df= }}</ref> |
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|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mojtaba Moharrami]] |
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Mojtaba Moharrami]] |
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|[[Asian Cup 1996|UAE 1996]] |
|[[Asian Cup 1996|UAE 1996]] |
Revision as of 08:07, 16 November 2017
Shirt badge/Association crest | |||
Nickname(s) | Team Melli تیم ملی[1] other nicknames | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | [[[Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran|Football Federation of Iran]]] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) (FFIRI) Fedrāsion-e Futbāll-e Irān | ||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
Sub-confederation | CAFA (Central Asia) | ||
Head coach | Carlos Queiroz | ||
Captain | Ashkan Dejagah | ||
Most caps | Javad Nekounam (151) | ||
Top scorer | Ali Daei (109) | ||
Home stadium | Azadi Stadium (78,116) | ||
FIFA code | IRN | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 34 ![]() | ||
Highest | 15 (August 2005[2]) | ||
Lowest | 122 (May 1996[3]) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Kabul, Afghanistan; 25 August 1941) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Tabriz, Iran; 24 November 2000[4]) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Istanbul, Turkey; 28 May 1950[5]) ![]() ![]() (Tokyo, Japan; 28 May 1958[6]) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 5 (first in 1978) | ||
Best result | Round 1 | ||
Asian Cup | |||
Appearances | 14 (first in 1968) | ||
Best result | Champions: 1968, 1972 and 1976 |
The Iran national football team (Persian: تیم ملی فوتبال ایران, Tīm-e Melli-e Fūtbāl-e Īrān), also known as Team Melli ([] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: no text (help)تیم ملی Tīm-e Melli), represents Iran in international football competitions and is governed by the Iran Football Federation. The national football team of Iran[8] has been the highest-ranked team in Asia since December 2014 and is currently the 24th highest-ranked team in the world according to the latest FIFA World Rankings as of August 2017[update].[9]
Iran is one of the most successful national teams in Asia with three Asian Cup championships (1968, 1972, and 1976). Iran has qualified for the World Cup five times (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, and 2018) but has never advanced past the group stage. Iran's only win in the World Cup has been a 2–1 victory against the United States in 1998.
History
![]() | This article appears to be slanted towards recent events. (June 2016) |
Early years
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Iran1304.jpg/220px-Iran1304.jpg)
The Iranian Football Federation was founded in 1920.[10] In 1926 Tehran XI (selected players from Tehran Club, Toofan F.C. and Armenian Sports Club) traveled across the border to Baku, USSR, this was the first away football match for an Iranian team. This Tehran Select team is the predecessor of Iran's national football team.
The first match that Team Melli played was on 23 August 1941, away at Kabul in a 1–0 win against British India, while Iran's first FIFA international match was on 25 August 1941, away at Afghanistan.[5] Iran won the Asian Cup three consecutive times (1968, 1972, 1976), to which the team has not been able to add since.
1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina
- Additional information: 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and OFC)
- Additional information: 1978 FIFA World Cup – Group 4
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Iran_Football_78WC.jpg/220px-Iran_Football_78WC.jpg)
In 1978, Iran made its first appearance in the World Cup after defeating Australia in Tehran. Iran lost two of three group stage matches against the Netherlands and Peru.[11] Team Melli managed to surprise the footballing community[12] by securing one point in its first ever World Cup appearance against Scotland which saw Iraj Danaeifard cancel out an own goal scored by Andranik Eskandarian for the 1–1 draw.[13]
After the Revolution
After the 1979 Revolution, football was somewhat neglected and cast aside. During the 1980s, the Iranian national team did not feature in World Cup competitions due to the Iran–Iraq War (1980–88) and domestic football suffered the inevitable effects of conflict. The national team withdrew from the Asian qualifiers for the 1982 World Cup, and refused to participate in the qualifiers for the 1986 World Cup because of having to play on neutral ground. The war and political upheavals left Iran without major club competitions until 1989 when the Qods League was established. A year later, the Qods League was renamed the Azadegan League. Despite failing to qualify for either the 1990 or the 1994 World Cups, it was during this period that a number of quality players burst onto the Iranian football scene, laying the foundation for third place in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup (memorable victories in that tournament included a 3–0 victory against Saudi Arabia and an impressive 6–2 victory against South Korea) and their second stab at World Cup glory in 1998.[14]
1998 FIFA World Cup in France
- Additional information: 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC–OFC play-off)
- Additional information: 1998 FIFA World Cup – Group F
In November 1997, Iran qualified for the 1998 World Cup after eliminating Australia in a close playoff series. Both games finished undecided, but Iran managed to qualify due to the away goals rule. Iran held Australia to a 1–1 draw at home, and a 2–2 draw in Melbourne; however, since Iran had scored more away goals, they were able to qualify for the Cup.[15]
At their first game of the Group F at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Iran played well against Yugoslavia, losing narrowly 1–0, only to a free kick goal by Siniša Mihajlović.[14] Iran recorded their first World Cup victory in the second game,[13] beating the United States 2–1, with Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia scoring goals for Iran. The Iran vs USA World Cup match was preheated with much excitement because of each country's political stance after the Iranian revolution and the Iran hostage crisis. However, in an act of defiance against all forms of hatred or politics in sports, both sides presented one another with gifts and flowers and took ceremonial pictures before the match kickoff.[16] Following defeat against Iran, the United States was eliminated from the World Cup.[17]
Iran played against Germany in the third game. The game was lost 2–0. The goals were scored by Oliver Bierhoff and Jürgen Klinsmann.[18] The one win and two losses meant Iran came third in the final group standing and failed to make it to the next round.[19] (Farhad Majidi and Mehdi Fonounizadeh were important absents in the tournament.)
2000 AFC Asian Cup
Iran finished first in the group stage of the tournament, but lost to South Korea in the quarter-finals.
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
- Additional information: 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
Iran failed to qualify for World Cup 2002 after an aggregate defeat to the Republic of Ireland, losing 2–0 in Dublin and winning 1–0 in Tehran. The elimination saw manager Miroslav Blažević step down from the top spot to be replaced by his assistant Branko Ivanković, who stepped up from assistant coach.
2004 AFC Asian Cup
After qualifying to the Asian Cup 2004, Iran was drawn with Thailand, Oman, and Japan in the tournament. Iran finished second in this group. In quarter-final clash against South Korea, Iran won 4–3 in normal time. In the semi-final, Iran lost to the host, China on penalty kicks. Iran won against Bahrain 4–2 to finish third place in the tournament.
2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany
- Additional information: 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
- Additional information: 2006 FIFA World Cup Group D
On 8 June 2005, Iran together with Japan became the first country to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, making it Iran's 3rd appearance on the world stage of football. The qualification round both in 2001 and 2004–05 resulted in mass celebrations, hysteria and rioting, causing internal chaos and unrest between youth and government officials. The Iran versus Japan leg of the 2006 World Cup qualifiers in Tehran, played on 24 March 2005, was the highest attended qualifying match among all confederations. The match ended in tragedy with 5 fans killed and several others injured as they left the Azadi Stadium at the end of the match.[20]
Iran started their 2006 FIFA World Cup appearance with high expectations from fans and media. Their first match was against Mexico in Group D. The game was level 1–1 at the half-time, but Iran lost at the end because of a defensive mistake. The final score, 3–1, was brought about by goals from Omar Bravo and Zinha for Mexico, with Yahya Golmohammadi scoring the only Iran goal.
Iran played against Portugal in the second game. The game was lost 2–0. The goals were scored by Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo (penalty). The two losses meant Iran was eliminated from the competition, before their third and final game against Angola. Iran drew 1–1 with Angola on the 21 June 2006, Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh scoring the Iran goal.
Temporary suspension
Standing left to right: Nekounam, Enayati, Nikbakht, Shakouri, Fekri, Sadeghi
Sitting left to right: Taleblou, Madanchi, Khatibi, Teymourian, Mahdavikia
In November 2006, Iran was suspended by FIFA from all participation in international football, on the grounds of governmental interference in the national football association.[21] The ban lasted less than a month,[22] and as a dispensation was given to allow the Iran under-23 team to participate in the football competition of the 2006 Asian Games,[23] fixtures were unaffected.
2007 AFC Asian Cup
- Additional information: 2007 AFC Asian Cup Group C
IRIFF appointed Amir Ghalenoei as head coach of the Iran national football team on 17 July 2006 to succeed Branko Ivanković. After finishing first in the qualifying round 2 points ahead of South Korea and then finishing first in the group stage of the final tournament in Malaysia, Iran lost to South Korea in a penalty shoot-out of the quarterfinal match and was eliminated from the 2007 Asian Cup. Ghalenoei was heavily criticized by the press. After a period of discussion in the Iranian football federation, his contract was not renewed and Team Melli was left with a caretaker manager for several months.
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
- Additional information: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
Ali Daei was chosen to become the new coach after Spanish coach Javier Clemente had been close to signing on as Iran's national team manager but talks collapsed when he refused to live full-time in the country.[24] Iran was in the same FIFA World Cup qualifying group as Kuwait, Syria and United Arab Emirates in the third round. They played home and away against each of the other three teams in group 5. In the middle of the fourth round, Ali Daei was let go from his position as the Iranian national coach on 29 March 2009.[25] He was replaced by Afshin Ghotbi. Iran failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup after ranking 4th overall in its group.[26]
2011 AFC Asian Cup
- Additional information: 2011 AFC Asian Cup Group D
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Iran-Maldavies.jpg/250px-Iran-Maldavies.jpg)
Standing left to right: Aghili, Hosseini, Haddadifar, Ansarifard, Zare, Pooladi
Sitting left to right: Heydari, Norouzi, Rahmati, Khalatbari, Karimi
Iran renewed the contract with Afshin Ghotbi until the end of 2011 AFC Asian Cup and the team qualified to the tournament with 13 points as the group winners.
During the final qualification match against South Korea, several Iranian players started the match wearing green armbands or wristbands, a symbol of protest at the outcome of the Iranian presidential election.[27] Most removed them at half-time. The newspaper Iran reported that Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hosein Kaebi, and Vahid Hashemian had received life bans from the Iranian FA for the gesture.[28] However, the Iranian FA denied this claim in a response to FIFA's inquiry saying that "the comments in foreign media are nothing but lies and a mischievous act."[29] Head coach Afshin Ghotbi also confirmed that it was a rumour and Iranian FA "has not taken any official stand on this issue."[30]
Afshin Ghotbi was able to qualify for 2011 Asian Cup and finished second in West Asian Football Federation Championship 2010 just a few months before the 2011 Asian Cup. Iran was able to gain all nine points in the group stage of the 2011 Asian Cup but after an extra time goal from South Korea, Iran was yet again unable to get to the semifinals of the competition.
2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
Qualification
On 4 April 2011, former Real Madrid manager Carlos Queiroz agreed to a two-and-a-half-year deal to coach the Iranian national team until the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[31] Under Queiroz, Iran began their World Cup qualification campaign successfully, defeating the Maldives 4–0 in the first leg of their second round of qualifiers. After winning 5–0 on aggregate, Iran advanced to the third round of qualifiers, where they were drawn with Indonesia, Qatar and Bahrain. Iran highlighted their position at the top of their group by defeating Bahrain 6–0 at home in the Azadi Stadium, as well as inviting former German youth international, Ashkan Dejagah, who scored twice on his debut against Qatar. After a 4–1 win at Indonesia, Iran qualified for the final round of direct qualifiers, the fourth round. In the fourth round, Iran was drawn with South Korea, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and Lebanon in their group. Queiroz made new foreign-based additions to his squad, adding players such as Reza Ghoochannejhad to his team. Iran started their fourth round of Asian qualifiers with a 1–0 win in Uzbekistan. Team Melli then drew Qatar and lost in Lebanon before defeating South Korea at the Azadi on 16 October with a goal from captain Javad Nekounam. After a 1–0 loss in Tehran against Uzbekistan, Iran defeated Qatar 1–0 in Doha and Lebanon 4–0 at home. In their last qualification match, Iran defeated South Korea 1–0 in Ulsan Munsu with a goal from Ghoochannejhad, resulting in their qualification to the 2014 FIFA World Cup as group winners with 16 points. Thus, Iran became the third team that Queiroz has managed to qualify for the World Cup, having reached the 2002 edition with South Africa and the 2010 edition with Portugal, leading the latter to a knockout stage finish. Iran continued their winning streak, securing qualification to the 2015 Asian Cup months later as well.[32]
Foreign-based call-ups
Since Queiroz's role as manager of the Iranian national team, he has been renowned for introducing players from the Iranian diaspora to the national squad. These players include German-Iranians Daniel Davari and Ashkan Dejagah, Dutch-Iranian Reza Ghoochannejhad, Swedish-Iranian Omid Nazari, and Iranian-American Steven Beitashour among others.[33][34]
Finals
- Additional information: 2014 FIFA World Cup – Group F
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Iran_vs._Argentina_match%2C_2014_FIFA_World_Cup_15.jpg/220px-Iran_vs._Argentina_match%2C_2014_FIFA_World_Cup_15.jpg)
Iran qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as group winners and competed in Group F alongside Argentina, Nigeria, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sold out Argentina match tickets were among the eight most purchased for this edition of the tournament.[35] On 1 June 2014, Queiroz announced his 23-man squad.[36] Prior to the tournament, they founded the Central Asian Football Association.[37]
In the opening match of the tournament on June 16, Iran drew Nigeria 0–0, making it their first clean sheet of the FIFA World Cup.[38] In their next match, Iran was defeated by Argentina 1–0 with a late goal from Lionel Messi, and received praise after holding Argentina for 90 minutes while creating some attacking opportunities of their own.[39] Iran was eliminated from the tournament in their next game, a 3–1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Iran's lone goal was scored by Reza Ghoochannejhad.[40] After the tournament, Queiroz declared he would resign as manager of Iran, but later switched and extended his contract until the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[41]
2015 AFC Asian Cup
- Additional information: 2015 AFC Asian Cup Group C
Iran qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup as group winners, where Team Melli were the highest ranked seed.[42] Iran faced Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE in Group C. Queiroz announced his squad on 30 December 2014.[43]
With the second highest number of fans in the tournament after hosts Australia, the Iranians defeated Bahrain 2–0 with limited preparations.[44][45] A defensive minded Iran then defeated Persian Gulf Cup champions Qatar 1–0 thanks to a Sardar Azmoun goal before defeating the UAE by the same scoreline to reach the top of their group.[46][47]
In the quarter-finals Iran faced Iraq, who they had beaten weeks prior in a friendly match. Having received a controversial red card in the first half, Iran competed with ten men, managing to score goals late in extra time to draw the match 3–3. In the ensuing penalty shootout, Iran lost 7–6 in sudden death.[48][49]
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Iran_national_football_team_-_October_2016.jpg/250px-Iran_national_football_team_-_October_2016.jpg)
Iran began their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with friendly matches against Chile and Sweden in March 2015.[50][51][52] Queiroz resigned from his managerial post thereafter due to disagreements with the Iranian Football Federation.[53] On 14 April 2015, Iran were drawn with Oman, India, Turkmenistan, and Guam in the second round of qualifiers.[54] On 26 April, Queiroz announced that he will continue as the manager of Iran for their 2018 World Cup campaign.
Iran became the 2nd team to qualify World Cup 2018, after a 2-0 win at home over Uzbekistan on June 12, 2017. They also clinched 1st place in their qualification group after South Korea's defeat to Qatar.
Political protests
Australia-Iran, 29 November 1997
After qualifying for the 1998 FIFA World Cup by defeating Australia on aggregate, Iranian fans celebrating in the streets quickly turned them into protests against the Revolutionary Guards.[55]
Presidential election protests, 2009
During the final game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Korea in Seoul on 17 June 2009, seven members of the team, Javad Nekounam, Ali Karimi, Hossein Kaebi, Masoud Shojaei, Mohammad Nosrati, Vahid Hashemian, and captain Mehdi Mahdavikia wore green wristbands in support of the Iranian Green Movement during the 2009 Iranian election protests. Initial false reports were that all seven players were banned for life by the Iranian Football Federation, however, state-run media claimed that all seven had "retired".[56] On 24 June 2009, FIFA wrote to Iran's Football Federation asking for clarification on the situation. The Iranian Football Federation replied that no disciplinary action has been taken against any player.[57] As of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, many of the above players have played again for the national team, notably Javad Nekounam, Masoud Shojaei, Mehdi Mahdavikia, and Ali Karimi.
Nicknames
The Iranian national team has received several nicknames by supporters and media. The most common one used is "Team Melli", which literally means "The National Team". Iranians call any national team from any country or sport a "Team Melli" and because of this it has become common for the national team to be referred to as the "Team Melli Iran" or, more specifically in the case of the national football team, the "Team Melli e Football e Iran". Although the Iranian supporters have popularized "Team Melli", other nicknames for the team include "Persian Stars"[58][59][60] (entitled since the World Cup 2006) "Shiran e Iran",[61][62] meaning "The Iranian Lions" or "The Lions of Persia",[63] "Shirdelan", "Lion Hearts" and "Princes of Persia"[64][65] (used since AFC Asian Cup 2011)[66][67] have been used in media as well.[citation needed] Iran's slogan for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was Honour of Persia, selected in an internet poll held by FIFA.[68][69] A recently used nickname, due to the presence of the Asiatic cheetah on the 2014 World Cup jersey, is 'The Cheetahs' from 2014 in Iran called yoozpalangan.[70]
Rivalries
Iran and South Korea are sporting rivals[71][72] and have played against each other officially since 1958, totally 29 matches as of October 2016, including eight World Cup qualifiers. These two teams were among the strongest Asian national football teams during the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, the teams have developed one of Asia's greatest rivalries.[73] Although the teams only had one chance to play against each other in the final match of the AFC Asian Cup, in 1972, they faced each other five consecutive times at the quarterfinals stage from 1996–2011.[74][75] Iran leads the series with 13 wins, 7 draws and 9 losses.
Iran and Saudi Arabia are rivals.[76] The game has been ranked 9th in Bleacher Report's "International Football's 10 Most Politically-Charged Football Rivalries"[77] and 8th in Goal.com's "Football's 10 Greatest International Rivalries".[78]
Iran and Saudi Arabia have had 15 matches so far. All of their matches have been competitive and they have never played a friendly match. The first match was played on 24 August 1975, with Iran defeating Saudi Arabia 3–0. Iran leads the series with 5 wins, 6 draws and 4 losses.
According to the Malay Mail, "Emotions are always high when Iran and Iraq meet on the football pitch". The rivalry is not such a football-inspired ill-feeling between the two, but more of geography, religion and history. Iran and Iraq are neighboring countries, sharing a long history. In the contemporary era, especially during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the two countries had bad relations and fought the Iran–Iraq War for 8 years.[79][80][81][82][83] In 2001, for the first time in decades, an Iran-Iraq match was not held at a neutral venue.[81] The rivalry was escalated after Iraq knocked Iran out of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in controversial circumstances; Iran lodged a complaint to the AFC that one of Iraq's players had submitted a positive doping test months before, hoping to see Iraq removed from the tournament and themselves reinstated in their place,[84] but the complaint was rejected.[85] Iran leads the series with 14 wins, 7 draws and 5 losses.
Stadiums
Since 1972, Iran's national stadium is Tehran's Azadi Stadium with a nominal capacity of 78,116 spectators.[86] Azadi Stadium is the 23rd largest association football stadium in the world, 7th in Asia and 1st in West Asia. A record was set in Azadi for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Australia with over 128,000 in attendance.[87] The government restricts Iranian women from entering the stadiums.[88]
From 1942 to 1972, Amjadieh Stadium was Iran's national stadium. The other stadiums that Iran has been played international games are Yadegar Emam Stadium (Tabriz), Takhti Stadium (Tehran) and Enghelab Stadium (Karaj).
The Iran National Football Camp is home to Iran's trainings.
Kit suppliers
The table below shows the history of kit providers for the Iranian national football team.
Kit provider | Period |
---|---|
Adidas | 1978 |
Amini [89] | 1978–1993 |
Shekari | 1993–1998 |
Puma | 1998–2000 |
Shekari | 2000–2003 |
Daei Sport | 2003–2006 |
Puma | 2006–2007 |
Merooj | 2007–2008 |
Daei Sport | 2008–2009 |
Legea | 2009–2012 |
Uhlsport | 2012–2016 |
Givova [90] | 2016 |
Adidas [91] | 2016– |
Sponsorship
Primary sponsors include Adidas, Bank Pasargad, ۹۰۹۰, Golrang, Oila and Kaspid.[92]
Kit history
Home
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2008–2009
|
Away
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1978 World Cup [98]
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1996 Asian Cup[107]
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1998 World Cup [103]
2000 Asian Cup |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2004 Asian Cup
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2006 World Cup
2007 Asian Cup [104] |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2008–2009
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2011 Asian Cup
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2014 World Cup
|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2015 Asian Cup
|
|
Asiatic cheetah
On 1 February 2014, Iran announced the addition of the endangered Asiatic cheetah on their 2014 FIFA World Cup kits in order to bring attention to its conservation efforts.[70]
Tournament Records
World Cup
World Cup finals | World Cup qualifications | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts/Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Squad | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | |
1930 to 1970 | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | |
![]() |
Round 1 | 14th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | Squad | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 3 | |
![]() |
Withdrew | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Disqualified | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 5 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 13 | |
![]() |
Round 1 | 20th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Squad | 17 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 57 | 17 | |
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 36 | 9 | |
![]() |
Round 1 | 25th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 29 | 7 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 9 | |
![]() |
Round 1 | 28th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Squad | 16 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 30 | 7 | |
![]() |
Qualified | 18 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 36 | 5 | |||||||||
![]() |
To be determined | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
Total | Round 1 | 5/21 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 22 | - | 128 | 78 | 34 | 16 | 267 | 81 |
Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup finals | Asian Cup qualifications | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts/Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | |
![]() |
Withdrew | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 10 | |
![]() |
Withdrew | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | Automatic qualification as hosts | ||||||
![]() |
Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | Automatic qualification as champions | ||||||
![]() |
Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | Automatic qualification as hosts and as champions | ||||||
![]() |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 6 | Automatic qualification as champions | ||||||
![]() |
Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
![]() |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
![]() |
Round 1 | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
![]() |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
![]() |
Quarterfinals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 2 | |
![]() |
Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 5 | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Quarterfinals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
![]() |
Quarterfinals | 5th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 | |
![]() |
Quarterfinals | 6th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 5 | |
![]() |
Qualified | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 3 | ||||||||
Total | 3 titles | 14/17 | 62 | 37 | 18 | 7 | 119 | 45 | 61 | 46 | 10 | 5 | 175 | 33 |
- *Denotes draws which include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
Olympic Games
Olympic Games finals | Olympic Games qualifications | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts/Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Squad | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | |
1900 to 1960 | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Round 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 | |
![]() |
Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Round 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | Squad | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
![]() |
Quarter-finals | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
![]() |
Qualified but boycotted the event | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 2 | |
![]() |
Did not enter due to boycott | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
Total | Quarter-finals | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 20 | - | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 48 | 8 |
- Young teams were favoured by FIFA and the IOC, and since 1992, male competitors must be under 23 years old, with three over-23 players allowed per squad. See Iran U-23 team.
Asian Games
Host nation(s) / year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Dif | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 6 |
![]() |
Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
![]() |
Round 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |
![]() |
Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
![]() |
Runners-up | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 12 |
![]() |
Round 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
![]() |
Champions | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 | +19 | 21 |
![]() |
Withdrew | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
![]() |
Quarterfinals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 |
![]() |
Quarterfinals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 2 | +11 | 10 |
![]() |
Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 13 |
![]() |
Round 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 |
![]() |
Champions | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 7 | +18 | 21 |
Total | 10/13 | 47 | 30 | 5 | 12 | 86 | 34 | +52 | 95 |
- Young teams were favoured by AFC and the IOC, and since 2002 male competitors must be under 23 years old, with three over-23 players allowed per squad.
West Asian Games
Host nation(s) / year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Dif | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Champions | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
![]() |
Runners-up | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |
![]() |
Third place | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 10 |
Total | 3/3 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 16 |
West Asian Championship
Host nation(s) / year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Dif | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 13 |
![]() |
Third place | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
![]() |
Champions | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 3 | +14 | 12 |
![]() |
Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 10 |
![]() |
Champions | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | +11 | 12 |
![]() |
Runners-up | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 7 |
![]() |
Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 |
Total | 7/8 | 28 | 19 | 7 | 2 | 56 | 16 | +40 | 64 |
Central Asian Championship
Host nation(s) / year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Dif | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
RCD Cup / ECO Cup
Host nation(s) / year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Dif | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Champions | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 4 |
![]() |
Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
![]() |
Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 3 |
![]() |
Champions | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 4 |
![]() |
Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
![]() |
Champions | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 12 |
Total | 6/6 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 30 | 12 | +18 | 29 |
Results and Fixtures
Previous matches
Win Draw Loss
Forthcoming matches
Date | Competition | Location | Opponent |
---|---|---|---|
2017 |
Records versus other nations
Coaching staff
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Carlos_Queiroz_at_the_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_vs_Iran%2C_2014_FIFA_World_Cup_march_2014-06-25_01.jpg/220px-Carlos_Queiroz_at_the_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_vs_Iran%2C_2014_FIFA_World_Cup_march_2014-06-25_01.jpg)
Manager | ![]() |
Assistant coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeping coach | ![]() |
Fitness coaches | ![]() ![]() |
Physiotherapist | ![]() |
Translator | ![]() |
Analyst | ![]() |
Team Doctor | ![]() |
Masseuse | ![]() ![]() |
IT and Media Consultant | ![]() |
Players
Current squad
- The following 26 players were called up for the friendly matches:
- Match date: 9 - 13 November 2017
- Opposition:
Panama &
Venezuela
- Caps and goals correct as of: 9 November 2017 after match against Panama
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | GK | Alireza Beiranvand | 21 September 1992 | 18 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | GK | Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri | 18 May 1989 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | GK | Amir Abedzadeh | 26 April 1993 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2 | DF | Vouria Ghafouri | 20 September 1987 | 18 | 0 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Jalal Hosseini | 3 February 1982 | 114 | 8 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Milad Mohammadi | 29 September 1993 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | DF | Morteza Pouraliganji | 19 April 1992 | 25 | 2 | ![]() |
13 | DF | Rouzbeh Cheshmi | 24 July 1993 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | DF | Ramin Rezaeian | 21 March 1990 | 24 | 2 | ![]() |
24 | DF | Saeid Aghaei | 9 February 1995 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | MF | Ehsan Hajsafi | 25 February 1990 | 89 | 6 | ![]() |
6 | MF | Saeid Ezatolahi | 1 October 1996 | 23 | 1 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Saman Ghoddos | 6 September 1993 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
9 | MF | Omid Ebrahimi | 16 September 1987 | 25 | 0 | ![]() |
11 | MF | Vahid Amiri | 2 April 1988 | 31 | 1 | ![]() |
14 | MF | Ali Karimi | 11 February 1994 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | MF | Akbar Imani | 21 March 1992 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
18 | MF | Alireza Jahanbakhsh | 11 August 1993 | 34 | 4 | ![]() |
21 | MF | Ashkan Dejagah ![]() |
5 June 1986 | 44 | 8 | Unattached |
25 | MF | Ahmad Abdollahzadeh | 6 May 1993 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
MF | Mehdi Torabi | 10 September 1994 | 13 | 4 | ![]() | |
10 | FW | Karim Ansarifard | 3 April 1990 | 59 | 16 | ![]() |
16 | FW | Reza Ghoochannejhad | 20 September 1987 | 39 | 17 | ![]() |
17 | FW | Mehdi Taremi | 18 July 1992 | 22 | 10 | ![]() |
19 | FW | Kaveh Rezaei | 5 April 1992 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
20 | FW | Sardar Azmoun | 1 January 1995 | 30 | 22 | ![]() |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Mohammadreza Akhbari | 15 February 1993 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
GK | Hossein Hosseini | 30 June 1992 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
GK | Alireza Haghighi | 2 May 1988 | 23 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Hamed Lak Inj | 24 November 1990 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Sosha Makani | 18 November 1986 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Pejman Montazeri Inj | 6 September 1983 | 43 | 1 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
DF | Mohammad Ansari | 23 September 1991 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
DF | Hossein Kanaanizadegan | 23 March 1994 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
DF | Danial Mahini | 25 September 1993 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
DF | Majid Hosseini | 20 June 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
DF | Milad Zakipour | 23 November 1995 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
DF | Ezzatollah Pourghaz | 21 March 1987 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Hossein Mahini | 16 September 1986 | 23 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Vahid Mohammadzadeh | 16 May 1989 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Austria training camp, May 2017 |
DF | Mohammad Iranpourian | 21 September 1985 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
UAE training camp, January 2017 |
MF | Kamal Kamyabinia | 18 January 1989 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
MF | Farshid Esmaeili | 23 February 1994 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
MF | Morteza Tabrizi | 6 January 1991 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
MF | Omid Noorafkan | 9 April 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Masoud Shojaei | 9 June 1984 | 70 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Ehsan Pahlavan | 25 July 1993 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Masoud Ebrahimzadeh | 16 January 1989 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, March 2017 |
MF | Dariush Shojaeian | 7 April 1992 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
UAE training camp, January 2017 |
FW | Sasan Ansari | 4 May 1991 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
FW | Ali Gholizadeh | 10 March 1996 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Tehran training camp, November 2017 |
FW | Farzad Hatami | 3 January 1986 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
UAE training camp, January 2017 |
FW | Rahim Zahivi | 19 August 1989 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
UAE training camp, January 2017 |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Iran_vs._Angola_2014-05-30_%28007%29.jpg/350px-Iran_vs._Angola_2014-05-30_%28007%29.jpg)
Standing left to right: Mahini, Davari, Ansarifard, Alenemeh, Khanzadeh, Nekounam
Sitting left to right: Hajsafi, Beitashour, Haddadifar, Azmoun, Dejagah
- Notes
- Inj Player withdrawn from the squad due to an injury.
- Pre Preliminary squad.
- RC Player suspended for yellow or red card accumulation.
- Ret Player retired from the national team.
- Sus Player suspended.
Previous squads
World Cups
- World Cup 2018 squad
- World Cup 2014 squad
- World Cup 2006 squad
- World Cup 1998 squad
- World Cup 1978 squad
Olympic Games
Asian Cups
- Asian Cup 2015 squad
- Asian Cup 2011 squad
- Asian Cup 2007 squad
- Asian Cup 2004 squad
- Asian Cup 2000 squad
- Asian Cup 1996 squad
- Asian Cup 1992 squad
- Asian Cup 1988 squad
- Asian Cup 1984 squad
Records
Most capped players
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Iran_vs._Montenegro_2014-05-26_%28040%29.jpg/200px-Iran_vs._Montenegro_2014-05-26_%28040%29.jpg)
As of 10 October 2017[update], the 10 players with the most caps:
# | Name | Career | Caps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Javad Nekounam | 2000–2015 | 151 | 39 |
2 | Ali Daei | 1993–2006 | 149 | 109 |
3 | Ali Karimi | 1998–2012 | 127 | 38 |
4 | Jalal Hosseini | 2007– | 112 | 8 |
5 | Mehdi Mahdavikia | 1996–2009 | 110 | 13 |
6 | Andranik Teymourian | 2005– | 101 | 9 |
7 | Ehsan Hajsafi | 2008– | 88 | 6 |
8 | Karim Bagheri | 1993–2010 | 87 | 50 |
9 | Hossein Kaebi | 2002–2010 | 84 | 1 |
10 | Hamid Reza Estili | 1990–2000 | 82 | 12 |
Most capped goalkeepers
As of 7 June 2016[update], the 5 goalkeepers with the most caps:
# | Name | Career | Caps |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh | 1987–1998 | 79 |
2 | Mehdi Rahmati | 2004–2012 | 76 |
3 | Ebrahim Mirzapour | 2001–2011 | 71 |
4 | Nasser Hejazi [113] | 1968–1980 | 62 |
5 | Behzad Gholampour | 1990–1999 | 28 |
The records are collected based on data from FIFA and RSSSF.
Bold names denote a player still playing or available for selection.
Top goalscorers
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Ali_Daei_in_Child_Labours_Association_cropped.jpg/200px-Ali_Daei_in_Child_Labours_Association_cropped.jpg)
As of 10 October 2017[update], the 10 players with the most goals:
# | Name | Career | Goals | Caps | Avg/game |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ali Daei (list) | 1993–2006 | 109 | 149 | 0.73 |
2 | Karim Bagheri | 1993–2010 | 50 | 87 | 0.57 |
3 | Javad Nekounam | 2000–2015 | 39 | 151 | 0.26 |
4 | Ali Karimi | 1998–2012 | 38 | 127 | 0.30 |
5 | Sardar Azmoun | 2014– | 22 | 28 | 0.79 |
6 | Gholam Hossein Mazloumi | 1969–1977 | 19 | 40 | 0.48 |
7 | Farshad Pious [114] | 1984–1994 | 18 | 34 | 0.53 |
8 | Reza Ghoochannejhad | 2012– | 17 | 38 | 0.49 |
9 | Karim Ansarifard | 2009– | 16 | 58 | 0.28 |
10 | Hamid Alidoosti [115] | 1977–1986 | 15 | 27 | 0.56 |
The records are collected based on data from FIFA, RSSSF & Varzesh3.
Bold names denote a player still playing or available for selection.
Iran captains
- As of 11 November 2016
# | Reign | Player | Caps (goals) | Years active | Matches as captain (goals) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1965–1967 | Mohammad Ranjbar | 23 (0) | 1959–1967 | 9 (0) |
2 | 1967–1970 | Hassan Habibi | 31 (0) | 1958–1970 | 10 (0) |
3 | 1970–1972 | Mostafa Arab | 48 (2) | 1959–1972 | 13 (0) |
4 | 1972–1977 | Parviz Ghelichkhani | 64 (12) | 1964–1977 | 26 (7) |
5 | 1977–1980 | Ali Parvin | 76 (13) | 1970–1980 | 31 (2) |
6 | 1980 | Nasser Hejazi | 62 (0) | 1968–1980 | 7 (0) |
7 | 1980–1984 | Mehdi Dinvarzadeh | 26 (0) | 1977–1984 | 9 (0) |
8 | 1984–87 1989–91 |
Mohammad Panjali | 45 (0) | 1978–1991 | 27 (0) |
9 | 1987–89 1991–93 |
Sirous Ghayeghran | 43 (6) | 1986–1993 | 22 (3) |
10 | 1993 | Hamid Derakhshan | 41 (9) | 1980–1993 | 12 (3) |
11 | 1993–1994 | Farshad Pious | 35 (19) | 1984–1994 | 4 (1) |
12 | 1996 | Mojtaba Moharrami | 37 (5) | 1988–1996 | 2 (0) |
13 | 1996–1998 | Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh | 79 (0) | 1988–1998 | 38 (0) |
14 | 1998–1999 | Nader Mohammadkhani | 64 (4) | 1988–1999 | 9 (1) |
15 | 1999–2000 | Javad Zarincheh | 80 (1) | 1987–2000 | 8 (0) |
16 | 2000–2006 | Ali Daei | 149 (109) | 1993–2006 | 80 (44) |
17 | 2006–2009 | Mehdi Mahdavikia | 110 (13) | 1996–2009 | 17 (1) |
18 | 2009–2015 | Javad Nekounam | 151 (39) | 2000–2015 | 56 (18) |
19 | 2015–2016 | Andranik Teymourian | 101 (9) | 2005–2016 | 8 (1) |
20 | 2016– | Ashkan Dejagah | 42 (7) | 2012– | 8 (2) |
Most matches as captain
As of 7 June 2016, the 10 players with the most matches as captain:
# | Player | Caps | Years active | Matches as captain |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ali Daei | 149 | 1993–2006 | 80 |
2 | Javad Nekounam | 151 | 2000–2015 | 56 |
3 | Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh | 79 | 1988–1998 | 38 |
4 | Ali Parvin | 76 | 1970–1980 | 31 |
5 | Mohammad Panjali | 45 | 1978–1991 | 27 |
6 | Parviz Ghelichkhani | 64 | 1964–1977 | 26 |
7 | Sirous Ghayeghran | 43 | 1986–1993 | 22 |
8 | Mehdi Mahdavikia | 110 | 1996–2009 | 17 |
9 | Ali Karimi | 127 | 1998–2012 | 16 |
10 | Mostafa Arab | 48 | 1959–1972 | 13 |
Iran World Cup captains
# | Matches as captain | Player | World Cup played as captain (goals) | Years active | Caps (goals) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3 (0) | Ali Parvin | Argentina 1978 | 1970–1980 | 76 (13) |
2 | 1 (0) | Nader Mohammadkhani | France 1998 | 1988–1999 | 64 (4) |
3 | 2 (0) | Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh | 1987–1998 | 79 (0) | |
4 | 2 (0) | Ali Daei | Germany 2006 | 1993–2006 | 149 (109) |
5 | 1 (0) | Yahya Golmohammadi | 1993–2006 | 74 (5) | |
6 | 3 (0) | Javad Nekounam | Brazil 2014 | 2000–2015 | 151 (39) |
Iran Asian Cup captains
# | Matches as captain | Player | Asian Cup played as captain | Years active | Caps (goals) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 (0)[118] | Hassan Habibi | Iran 1968 | 1958–1970 | 31 (0) |
2 | 4 (0)[119] | Mostafa Arab | Thailand 1972 | 1959–1972 | 48 (2) |
3 | 3 (0)[120] | Parviz Ghelichkhani | Iran 1976 | 1964–1977 | 64 (12) |
4 | 5 (0)[121] | Nasser Hejazi | Kuwait 1980 | 1968–1980 | 62 (0) |
5 | 6 (0)[122] | Mohammad Panjali | Singapore 1984 | 1978–1991 | 45 (0) |
6 | 6 (0)[123] | Sirous Ghayeghran | Qatar 1988 | 1986–1992 | 40 (6) |
7 | 3 (0)[124] | Japan 1992 | |||
8 | 2 (0)[125] | Mojtaba Moharrami | UAE 1996 | 1988–1996 | 37 (5) |
9 | 4 (3) | Ali Daei | Lebanon 2000 | 1993–2006 | 149 (109) |
10 | 6 (3) | China 2004 | |||
11 | 4 (0) | Mehdi Mahdavikia | Asian Cup 2007 | 1996–2009 | 110 (13) |
12 | 3 (0) | Javad Nekounam | Qatar 2011 | 2000–2015 | 151 (39) |
13 | 4 (0) | Australia 2015 |
Honours
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Iran1977.jpg/246px-Iran1977.jpg)
Continental
Gold Medal (4): 1974, 1990, 1998, 2002
Silver Medal (2): 1951, 1966
†Young teams were favoured by AFC and the IOC, and since 2002 male competitors must be under 23 years old, with three over-23 players allowed per squad.
Regional
* as B Team
Intercontinental
- Champions (1): 2003
- Runners-up (1): 1991
- Runners-up (1): 1999
Other
- Champions (4): 2001, 2002‡, 2002†, 2006
- Third place (1): 2000
See also
- Football in Iran
- Iran national futsal team
- Iran national beach soccer team
- Iran national under-23 football team
- Iran national under-20 football team
- Iran national under-17 football team
- Iran women's national football team
- Iran women's national under-20 football team
- Iran women's national under-17 football team
- Iran women's national futsal team
- List of current Iranian expatriate footballers
- Tehran XI
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External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official Website of IR Iran Football Federation
- Iran Football News,Iran Football League
- Iran Soccer News
- Iran Football News since 1997
- Extensive archive of Team's results, squads, campaigns and players
- Players Profile, Articles, Statistics and Gallery of National Team
- RSSSF archive of results 1941–
- RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers
- Iran's archive of results and elo rating points
- Iran’s National Football Team: The Smaller Iranian Society