Iran national football team

{{See also|Football in Iran|History of the Iran national football team}}

{{Recentism|date=June 2016}}

{{expand section|date=October 2022}}

{{Expand Persian|date=February 2024}}

File:Iran1304.jpg in 1926]]

The Iranian Football Federation was founded in 1920.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=irn/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603155130/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=irn/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 June 2007|title=Member Association – Iran}} In 1926, Tehran XI (selected players from Tehran Club, Toofan F.C. and Armenian Sports Club) traveled across the border to Baku, Soviet Union, 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.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=irn/fixturesresults/gender=m/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603173212/http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=irn/fixturesresults/gender=m/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 June 2007|title=Iran: Fixtures and Results|publisher=FIFA.com }}

Iran won the Asian Cup three consecutive times (1968, 1972, 1976) to which the team has not been able to add since. 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.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.teammelli.com/articles/iran_in_world_cup_1978.htm|title=Iran in World Cup 1978|work=teammelli.com|access-date=21 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104101448/http://www.teammelli.com/articles/iran_in_world_cup_1978.htm|archive-date=4 January 2010|url-status=dead}} Team Melli managed to surprise some in the footballing community{{#invoke:cite news|| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/world_cup_2002/1632238.stm | work=BBC News | title=Iranian football facts | date=1 November 2001 | access-date=5 May 2010 | archive-date=19 November 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119142638/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1632238.stm | url-status=live }} 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.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.the-world-cup-2006.com/teams-iran.htm|title=while FIFA World Cup 2006 Iran Team Overview|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719151054/http://www.the-world-cup-2006.com/teams-iran.htm|archive-date=19 July 2008}}

File:Iran Football 78WC.jpg in Cordoba, Argentina]]

After the Iranian Revolution, football was somewhat neglected. 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 embraced 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 both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, it was said that during this period, a number of quality players burst onto the Iranian football scene laying the foundation for third place in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup (victories in that tournament included a 3–0 victory against Saudi Arabia and a 6–2 victory against South Korea) and their second stab at World Cup glory in 1998.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.iranvisitor.com/index.php?cID=416&pID=1176|title=The History of Soccer in Iran|work=iranvisitor.com|access-date=21 January 2008|archive-date=31 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231095740/http://www.iranvisitor.com/index.php?cID=416&pID=1176|url-status=live}}

{{Further|1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC–OFC play-off)|1998 FIFA World Cup}}

In November 1997, Iran qualified for the 1998 World Cup after eliminating Australia in a close playoff series. After being tied 3–3 on aggregate, Iran advanced due to the away goals rule; Iran held Australia to a 1–1 draw at home, and a 2–2 draw in Melbourne.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://mondediplo.com/1998/04/04iran|title=A third half for Iranian football|work=mondediplo.com|date=April 1998 |access-date=21 January 2008|archive-date=15 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215113041/http://mondediplo.com/1998/04/04iran|url-status=live}}

At their first game at the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Yugoslavia, Iran lost 1–0 to a free kick by Siniša Mihajlović. Iran recorded their first World Cup victory in the second game beating and eliminating the United States 2–1 with Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia scoring goals for Iran. The Iran-US World Cup match was preheated with certain 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.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://1800-worldcup.com/world_cup_finals/france1998/matches/jun21.htm|title=France 1998 World Cup: 1st Round – Day 12 Match Reports|work=1800-worldcup.com|access-date=22 January 2008|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224104/http://1800-worldcup.com/world_cup_finals/france1998/matches/jun21.htm|url-status=live}} Iran played against Germany in the third game, losing 2–0 courtesy of goals from Oliver Bierhoff and Jürgen Klinsmann, finishing third in the group.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8767/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930225110/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8767/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 September 2007|title=FIFA.com – 1998 FIFA World Cup France }}

Iran finished first in the group stage of the 2000 Asia Cup but lost to South Korea in the quarter-finals. They failed to qualify for World Cup 2002, held in Asia for the first time, 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.

After qualifying to the Asian Cup 2004, Iran was drawn with Thailand, Oman and Japan in the tournament. Iran finished second in the group. In the quarter-final clash against South Korea, Iran won 4–3. They then lost to host China on penalty kicks, and won against Bahrain 4–2 to finish third place in the tournament.

File:Iran equaliser.JPG at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.]]

On 8 June 2005, Iran and Japan became the first countries other than hosts Germany to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. The match between the two countries in Tehran, played on 24 March 2005, was the highest attended qualifying match among all confederations. The match ended with five fans dead and several others injured as they left the Azadi Stadium at the end of the match.{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4383939.stm|title=Five die after Iran football game|publisher=BBC|access-date=7 June 2013|date=26 March 2005|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119142637/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4383939.stm|url-status=live}}

Iran started their Germany 2006 appearance with a match against North America's Mexico in Group D. Being 1–1 at half-time, defensive mistakes led to a Mexican 3–1 win, with goals from Omar Bravo and Sinha. Yahya Golmohammadi scored the only Iranian goal. Team Melli played against Portugal in the second game, losing 2–0. The goals were scored by Deco and a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo. Iran were eliminated from the competition before their third and final game against Angola, a 1–1 draw.

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.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0,1369,126229,00.html |title=FIFA suspends Iran Football Federation |publisher=FIFA |access-date=27 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102093639/http://www.fifa.com/en/media/index/0%2C1369%2C126229%2C00.html |archive-date=2 January 2007 |url-status=dead }} The ban lasted less than a month{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://the-afc.com/english/media/default.asp?mnsection=media§ion=newsDetails&newsID=7658 |title=FIFA to lift Iran ban: Blatter |publisher=the-AFC.com |access-date=17 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623134749/http://www.the-afc.com/english/media/default.asp?mnsection=media |archive-date=23 June 2007 }} and as a dispensation was given to allow the Iran under-23 team to participate in the football competition of the 2006 Asian Games,{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://the-afc.com/english/media/default.asp?mnsection=media§ion=newsDetails&newsID=7543 |title=FIFA President announces temporary lifting of Iran ban |publisher=the-AFC.com |access-date=27 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623134749/http://www.the-afc.com/english/media/default.asp?mnsection=media |archive-date=23 June 2007 }} fixtures were unaffected.

{{Main|2007 AFC Asian Cup}}

The IRIFF appointed Amir Ghalenoei as manager of Iran on 17 July 2006 to succeed Branko Ivanković. After finishing first in the 2007 Asian Cup qualifying round two points ahead of South Korea, Iran placed first in the group stage of the final tournament in Malaysia, eventually losing to their qualifying opponents in a penalty shoot-out in the quarterfinals. His contract was not renewed and Team Melli was left with a caretaker manager for several months.

Then-leading international goalscorer Ali Daei was chosen to become the new manager after Spanish coach Javier Clemente had been closer to signing on as Iran's national team manager, when talks collapsed when he refused to live full-time in the country.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://int.soccerway.com/news/2008/March/02/ali-daei-named-new-iran-coach|title=Ali Daei named new Iran coach|work=soccerway.com}} Iran was placed with Kuwait, Syria and United Arab Emirates in the third round of 2010 World Cup qualifying. Ali Daei resigned from his position as the Iranian national coach on 29 March 2009,{{#invoke:cite news|| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/30/iran-football-ali-daei | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Iran football coach Ali Daei loses job following team's defeat | first=Robert | last=Tait | date=30 March 2009 | access-date=5 May 2010 | archive-date=6 September 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906062749/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/30/iran-football-ali-daei | url-status=live }} replaced by Afshin Ghotbi. Iran failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup after finishing fourth overall in its group.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/standings/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113083920/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/standings/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2007 |title=FIFA.com |publisher=FIFA.com |access-date=7 September 2010}}

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 wore green wristbands in support of the Iranian Green Movement during the 2009 Iranian election protests. Initial rumors and 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".{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2009/06/24/2009-06-24_iran_soccer_players_banned.html |title=Iran soccer players banned from national team after wearing green pro-opposition wristbands |first=Andy |last=Clayton |date=24 June 2009 |work=NY Daily News |access-date=8 July 2010 |location=New York |archive-date=31 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831040659/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2009/06/24/2009-06-24_iran_soccer_players_banned.html |url-status=live }}{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/23/iran-football-protest-ban|first=Robert|last=Tait|date=23 June 2009|access-date=16 December 2017|title=Iran bans election protest footballers|work=The Guardian|archive-date=6 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906195640/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/23/iran-football-protest-ban|url-status=live}} 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.{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2009/06/26/sp-iran-green.html |title=Iran says it didn't punish soccer players |date=26 June 2009 |publisher=CBC |access-date=8 July 2010 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628190654/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2009/06/26/sp-iran-green.html |url-status=live }}

Afshin Ghotbi renewed his contract until the end of 2011 AFC Asian Cup and the team qualified for the tournament with 13 points as 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.{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/5559871/Iranian-football-team-shows-support-for-Mousavi-with-green-arm-bands-at-Seoul-World-Cup-qualifier.html |title=Iranian football team shows support for Mousavi with green arm bands at Seoul World Cup qualifier |date=17 June 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=17 June 2009 |location=London |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616095809/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/5559871/Iranian-football-team-shows-support-for-Mousavi-with-green-arm-bands-at-Seoul-World-Cup-qualifier.html |url-status=live }} 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.{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0625/1224249508070.html |title=Iranian players receive life bans for gestures |last=Tiat |first=Robert |date=25 June 2009 |work=The Guardian |access-date=25 June 2009 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020142037/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0625/1224249508070.html |url-status=live }} 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."{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/5634682/Iran-denies-punishing-players-for-wearing-green-wristbands.html|title=Iran denies punishing players for wearing green wristbands|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=25 June 2009|access-date=25 June 2009|location=London|archive-date=14 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614112258/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/5634682/Iran-denies-punishing-players-for-wearing-green-wristbands.html|url-status=live}} Head coach Afshin Ghotbi also confirmed that it was a rumour and the Iranian FA "has not taken any official stand on this issue."{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/iran-did-not-suspend-players-coach-says/|title=Iran Did Not Suspend Players, Coach Says|newspaper=The New York Times|date=26 June 2009|access-date=27 June 2009|first=Jack|last=Bell|archive-date=28 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628191517/http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/iran-did-not-suspend-players-coach-says/|url-status=live}}

Afshin Ghotbi qualified Iran for the 2011 Asian Cup and finished second in the West Asian Football Federation Championship 2010 just a few months before the Asian Cup. Iran were able to gain all nine possible points in the group stage of the Asian Cup but after an extra time goal from South Korea, Iran were yet again eliminated from the quarter-finals.

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.{{#invoke:cite news|| 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 | access-date = 4 April 2011 | location = Dubai | archive-date = 18 August 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110818141931/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/902584/carlos-queiroz-agrees-deal-to-become-iran-coach?cc=5901 | url-status = live }} 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.

File:Iran-Maldavies.jpg. Standing left to right: Aghili, Hosseini, Haddadifar, Ansarifard, Zare, Pooladi; sitting left to right: Heydari, Norouzi, Rahmati, Khalatbari, Karimi.]]

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 played South Korea, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Lebanon in their group. Queiroz made new foreign-based additions to his squad, adding players such as Reza Ghoochannejhad.

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, clinching their ticket to Brazil 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.{{#invoke: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=AFC |date=20 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514040022/http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men/afc-asian-cup-qualifiers/27245-lib-irn-md5-201113.html |archive-date=14 May 2014 }}

File:Iran vs. Argentina match, 2014 FIFA World Cup 15.jpg at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil]]

Since Queiroz's role as manager of the Iranian national team, he has introduced players from the Iranian diaspora to the national squad. These players include German-Iranians Daniel Davari and Ashkan Dejagah, Dutch-Iranian Reza Ghoochannejhad, Swedish-Iranians Omid Nazari and Saman Ghoddos, and Iranian-American Steven Beitashour among others.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/iran-players-watch-world-cup-23269497|title=5 Iran Players to Watch at the World Cup|publisher=ABC News|access-date=16 April 2014|archive-date=17 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417091756/https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/iran-players-watch-world-cup-23269497|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/18/asgkan-dejagah-felix-magath-fulham|title=Ashkan Dejagah says Felix Magath is the right man to keep Fulham up|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 April 2014|access-date=19 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419064501/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/apr/18/asgkan-dejagah-felix-magath-fulham|url-status=live}}

Iran competed in Group F alongside Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prior to the tournament, they founded the Central Asian Football Association.{{Cite web|url=http://www.the-afc.com/en/about-afc/afc-committees/1127-executive-committee/28784-central-zone-gets-thumbs-up-from-tajikistan.html|archive-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|url-status=dead|title='Central Zone' gets thumbs up from Tajikistan|archive-date=12 June 2014}}

In the opening match of the tournament on 16 June, Iran drew Nigeria 0–0 making it their first clean sheet in the World Cup.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/6/16/5815590/nigeria-vs-iran-2014-world-cup-final-score-result|title=Nigeria vs. Iran: Final score 0–0, Super Eagles held in dire stalemate|work=SB Nation|date=16 June 2014 |access-date=24 July 2020|archive-date=24 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724035818/https://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/6/16/5815590/nigeria-vs-iran-2014-world-cup-final-score-result|url-status=live}} 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.{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285221|title=BBC Sport – World Cup: Argentina 1–0 Iran|first=David|last=Ornstein|work=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114205734/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25285221|url-status=live}} 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.{{#invoke: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|first=Olly|last=Groome|work=cafc.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730124624/http://www.cafc.co.uk/news/article/20140625-reza-makes-charlton-history-at-world-cup-1678140.aspx|archive-date=30 July 2014}} 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.{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asia-iran-quieroz-idUKKBN0HC04720140917|title=Queiroz ends contract saga by signing Iran deal|work=Reuters UK|date=17 September 2014 |access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024014437/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asia-iran-quieroz-idUKKBN0HC04720140917|url-status=live}}

Iran qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup as group winners where Team Melli were the highest ranked seed.{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asia-cup-idUKBREA2H04J20140318|title=Hosts Australia top seeds for 2015 Asian Cup|work=Reuters|access-date=18 March 2014|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306222654/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asia-cup-idUKBREA2H04J20140318|url-status=live}} Iran faced Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE in Group C. With the second highest number of fans in the tournament after hosts Australia, the Iranians defeated Bahrain 2–0 with limited preparations.{{#invoke: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|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124082850/https://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/25960236/iranian-crowd-sets-asian-cup-standard/|archive-date=24 January 2015}}{{#invoke: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|access-date=12 January 2015|archive-date=13 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113181409/http://www.goal.com/en/news/3550/asian-cup/2015/01/11/7862822/queiroz-iran-victimised-by-fifa-sanctions|url-status=live}} A defensive-minded Iran then defeated Qatar 1–0 thanks to a Sardar Azmoun goal before defeating UAE by the same scoreline to reach the top of their group.{{#invoke:cite news||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|date=23 January 2015 |access-date=23 January 2015|archive-date=23 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123132254/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-23/iran-censors-images-of--inappropriate-female-soccer-fans/6043600|url-status=live}}{{#invoke: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|access-date=23 January 2015|archive-date=22 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122214758/http://www.goal.com/en/match/iran-vs-uae/1466402/report|url-status=live}} 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.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://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|date=24 January 2015 |access-date=16 April 2020|archive-date=27 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127064307/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|url-status=live}}{{#invoke: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|first=Joe|last=Gorman|work=The Guardian|date=23 January 2015 |access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=5 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105182316/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jan/23/asian-cup-iran-fans-protest|url-status=live}}

File:Portugal and Iran match at the FIFA World Cup 2018 1.jpg in Mordovia Arena at the 2018 FIFA World Cup]]

Iran began their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with friendly matches against Chile and Sweden in March 2015.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.goal.com/en/match/iran-vs-chile/1998633/report|title=Iran 2 - 0 Chile Match report - 3/26/15 Friendlies - Goal.com|work=goal.com|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402073759/http://www.goal.com/en/match/iran-vs-chile/1998633/report|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-friendly-sweden-idUKKBN0MR2JI20150331|title=Ibra silences raucous Iran fans to give Sweden 3–1 win|work=Reuters UK|date=31 March 2015 |access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818215110/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-friendly-sweden-idUKKBN0MR2JI20150331|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:cite news||url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=3993&artikel=6131039|title=Regimkritiska budskap på Friends kan ge böter|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=31 March 2015 |access-date=31 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402135739/http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=3993&artikel=6131039|url-status=live|last1=Ramel |first1=Fredrik |last2=Akhtari |first2=Kavoos }} Queiroz resigned from his managerial post thereafter due to disagreements with the Iranian Football Federation.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/news/detail/item38283/Queiroz-quits-as-Iran-coach|title=Asian Football News – Queiroz quits as Iran coach – FOX SPORTS|work=FOX SPORTS|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323003733/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/news/detail/item38283/Queiroz-quits-as-Iran-coach|archive-date=23 March 2015}} On 14 April 2015, Iran were drawn with Oman, India, Turkmenistan and Guam in the second round of qualifiers.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m=4/news=draw-throws-up-derbies-and-drama-2590319.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418130433/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m=4/news=draw-throws-up-derbies-and-drama-2590319.html?intcmp=fifacom_hp_module_news|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2015|title=Asian draw throws up derbies and drama|date=14 April 2015|work=FIFA.com}} On 26 April, Queiroz announced that he would continue as the manager of Iran for their 2018 World Cup campaign. Iran became the second team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup{{#invoke:cite news||agency=Associated Press |title=Iran become second team to qualify for World Cup |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/iran-become-second-team-to-qualify-for-world-cup |date=13 June 2017 |access-date=15 June 2018 |newspaper=Khaleej Times |location=Tehran |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214954/https://www.khaleejtimes.com/iran-become-second-team-to-qualify-for-world-cup |url-status=live }} after a 2–0 win at home over Uzbekistan on 12 June 2017.{{#invoke:cite news||agency=Associated Press |title=Iran second team to qualify for 2018 World Cup after beating Uzbekistan |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/06/12/iran-qualifies-for-2018-world-cup-after-beating-uzbekistan/102786192/ |date=12 June 2017 |access-date=15 June 2018 |newspaper=USA Today |publisher=Gannett |archive-date=19 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119142638/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/06/12/iran-qualifies-for-2018-world-cup-after-beating-uzbekistan/102786192/ |url-status=live }} They also clinched first place in their qualification group after South Korea's defeat to Qatar.{{#invoke:cite news||last=Church |first=Michael |title=China, Qatar face elimination as Iran look to Russia |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-asia/china-qatar-face-elimination-as-iran-look-to-russia-idUKKBN192090 |date=11 June 2017 |access-date=15 June 2018 |work=Reuters |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615214927/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-worldcup-asia/china-qatar-face-elimination-as-iran-look-to-russia-idUKKBN192090 |url-status=live }}

Iran won the first match against Morocco after Aziz Bouhaddouz scoring an own goal.{{#invoke:cite news||last=Miller |first=Nick |title=Aziz Bouhaddouz own goal in added time hands Iran win against Morocco |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/15/morocco-iran-world-cup-group-b-match-report |date=15 June 2018 |access-date=15 June 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615224921/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/15/morocco-iran-world-cup-group-b-match-report |url-status=live }} They then lost against Spain with a goal scored by Diego Costa, with video assistant referees denying an Iranian equalizer.{{#invoke:cite news||last1=White |first1=Jim |last2=Bloom |first2=Ben |title=Fortunate Diego Costa goal sees Spain overcome Iran's stubborn resistance |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/20/iran-vs-spain-world-cup-2018-live-score-latest-updates/ |date=20 June 2018 |access-date=21 June 2018 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |archive-date=20 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620203455/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/20/iran-vs-spain-world-cup-2018-live-score-latest-updates/ |url-status=live }} The third match against Portugal ended in a draw after a penalty scored by Karim Ansarifard{{#invoke:cite news||title=Late penalty holds Portugal to runner-up spot in Group B |url=http://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/2018/06/25/5b314da246163fc8048b45b7.html |date=25 June 2018 |access-date=26 June 2018 |newspaper=Marca |language=es |publisher=Unidad Editorial Información Deportiva, S.L.U. |archive-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626135600/http://www.marca.com/en/world-cup/2018/06/25/5b314da246163fc8048b45b7.html |url-status=live }} and because Morocco could only manage a 2–2 draw to Spain, Iran were eliminated.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/world-cup/news/iran-scores-results-world-cup-ends-after-nearly-forcing-ronaldo-portugal-on-brink-of-elimination/ |title=Iran scores, results: World Cup ends after nearly forcing Ronaldo, Portugal on brink of elimination |last=Gonzalez |first=Roger |date=25 June 2018 |access-date=26 June 2018 |work=CBS Sports |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. |archive-date=26 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626201007/https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/world-cup/news/iran-scores-results-world-cup-ends-after-nearly-forcing-ronaldo-portugal-on-brink-of-elimination/ |url-status=live }} Iran's four points is the most received in any World Cup appearance.

File:China-Iran 2019 AFC Asian Cup by Mehdi Zare 1.jpg at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup]]

File:IRN-VIETNAM 20190112 Asian Cup 18.jpg and Taremi played a key role in the front line of the team in these years.]]

Having qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup earlier, Iran was drawn into group D, where they shared fate with Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen. Iran opened their tournament against Yemen, nearly conceding a goal early but after 10 minutes, Iran regained the ground and proved more dominant in certain aspects, thrashing Yemen 5–0.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/blog/2019/1/8/asian-cup-2019-iran-takes-5-0-win-against-yemen |title=Asian Cup 2019: An emotional loss for Yemen as Iran takes 5–0 win |publisher=English.alaraby.co.uk |date=23 May 2019 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=30 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930103941/https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/blog/2019/1/8/asian-cup-2019-iran-takes-5-0-win-against-yemen |url-status=live }} A 2–0 win over the Vietnamese side gave Iran direct qualification to the knockout stage.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2019/01/12/Iran-beats-Vietnam-2-0-for-2nd-win-at-Asian-Cup.html |title=Iran beats Vietnam 2–0 for second win at Asian Cup |publisher=Al Arabiya English |date= 12 January 2019|access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616083857/https://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2019/01/12/Iran-beats-Vietnam-2-0-for-2nd-win-at-Asian-Cup.html |url-status=live }} Iran ended their group stage with a goalless draw over neighbor Iraq and took first place.{{#invoke:cite web||first=Karzan |last=Sulaivany |url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/sport/ac86f49b-3286-4643-8088-6f6594957dfe |title=Asian Cup 2019: Iran tops group after fiery goalless draw against rivals Iraq |publisher=Kurdistan24.net |date=16 January 2019 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425052302/http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/sport/ac86f49b-3286-4643-8088-6f6594957dfe |url-status=live }} After the group stage, Iran encountered Oman, with a defending mistake almost costing Iran's chances but Ahmed Mubarak Al-Mahaijri's penalty was saved by Alireza Beiranvand. Iran then defeated Oman 2–0 to reach the last eight.{{#invoke:cite web||first=David |last=Nelson |url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/01/20/football/1548001356_977417.html |title=Iran into the quarter-finals with solid performance against Oman - AS.com |publisher=En.as.com |date=20 January 2019 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924014256/https://en.as.com/en/2019/01/20/football/1548001356_977417.html |url-status=live }} In the quarter-finals against a defensive China, Iran outclassed the Chinese 3–0 to meet Japan in the semi-finals.{{#invoke:cite web||first=Robbie |last=Dunne |url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/01/24/football/1548342829_085944.html |title=Iran have too much for China as they march on to the semi-final - AS.com |publisher=En.as.com |date=24 January 2019 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809000314/https://en.as.com/en/2019/01/24/football/1548342829_085944.html |url-status=live }} Iran missed the opportunity to reach the final once again when they fell 3–0 with all three goals scored in second half.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://en.mehrnews.com/news/141983/Iran-eliminated-from-AFC-Asian-CUP-after-losing-to-Japan-0-3 |title=Iran eliminated from AFC Asian CUP after losing to Japan 0–3 in semifinals – Mehr News Agency |publisher=En.mehrnews.com |date=28 January 2019 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=2 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102204613/https://en.mehrnews.com/news/141983/Iran-eliminated-from-AFC-Asian-CUP-after-losing-to-Japan-0-3 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2022 FIFA World Cup|2022 FIFA World Cup controversies#Iranian protests}}

File:2022 FIFA World Cup England 6–2 Iran - (7).jpg at the 2022 FIFA World Cup]]

Iran was the highest-ranked team to be seeded in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, being drawn into the second round where they would deal with two Arab countries, Iraq and Bahrain, along with Cambodia and Hong Kong. Iran, under new Belgian manager Marc Wilmots, began with a 2–0 away win over Hong Kong. After the death of Sahar Khodayari, the 14–0 win over Cambodia allowed select Iranian women to enter the stadium for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.{{#invoke:cite news||date=2019-10-10 |title=Iranian women attend first soccer match in 40 years |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-soccer-women-idUSKBN1WP1QZ |access-date=2022-11-25}}{{#invoke:cite web|| url = https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup/latest/news/md2-group-c-hong-kong-0-2-ir-iran| title = MD2 – Group C: Hong Kong 0–2 IR Iran| access-date = 24 November 2020| archive-date = 22 October 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201022041032/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup/latest/news/md2-group-c-hong-kong-0-2-ir-iran| url-status = dead}}{{#invoke:cite web||first=AS |last=English |url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/10/10/football/1570717133_630385.html |title=Iran 14-0 Cambodia as women return to stadium after 40 years - AS.com |publisher=En.as.com |date=10 October 2019 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026020859/https://en.as.com/en/2019/10/10/football/1570717133_630385.html |url-status=live }} Their next away encounters against Bahrain and Iraq went on to be consecutive defeats which Iran lost 0–1 and 1–2, respectively.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2019/10/15/Bahrain-defeats-Iran-1-0-in-second-round-of-Asian-WC-qualifiers |title=Bahrain defeats Iran 1–0 in second round of Asian WC qualifiers |publisher=Al Arabiya English |date= 15 October 2019|access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=19 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119142640/https://english.alarabiya.net/sports/2019/10/15/Bahrain-defeats-Iran-1-0-in-second-round-of-Asian-WC-qualifiers |url-status=live }}{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/15/c_138557140.htm |title=Iraq beats Iran 2–1 at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 group C match – Xinhua | English.news.cn |publisher=Xinhuanet.com |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=30 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630025728/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/15/c_138557140.htm |url-status=dead }} Following two consecutive draws between Iraq and Bahrain, Iran was left with the possibility of being eliminated from the World Cup outright in the second round, leading to the sacking of Marc Wilmots.{{#invoke:cite web||first=Ben |last=Thomas |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/12/05/soccer/marc-wilmots-steps-iran-coach/ |title=Article expired |publisher=The Japan Times |date=1 January 1970 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027041617/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/12/05/soccer/marc-wilmots-steps-iran-coach/ |url-status=live }}

The COVID-19 pandemic in Iran forced the remaining fixtures to be played without spectators in June 2021, forcing Iran to play their remaining games in Bahrain under new coach Dragan Skočić; but with Bahrain losing its home support as an advantage, and Iraq assured a place in the final phase, Iran was able to stage a comeback, occupying first place and, together with Iraq, progressed to the final phase.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210615-iran-iraq-and-uae-saudi-march-into-final-phase-of-world-cup-qualifying |title=Iran, Iraq and UAE, Saudi march into final phase of World Cup qualifying |publisher=France 24 |date=15 June 2021 |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714151141/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210615-iran-iraq-and-uae-saudi-march-into-final-phase-of-world-cup-qualifying |url-status=live }}

Iran became the thirteenth team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a 1–0 win at home over Iraq on 27 January 2022. In March 2022, Iranian women were again banned from entering the stadium for a World Cup qualifier.{{#invoke:cite web||title=Iran again bans women from football stadium – Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/03/iran-again-bans-women-football-stadium |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=www.al-monitor.com |date=30 March 2022 |language=en}} Iran's World Cup preparation friendly match against Canada at BC Place in June 2022 was cancelled by the Canadian Soccer Association amid opposition and mounting criticism, namely in regards to the Iranian government's role in shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752.{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/canada-can/story/4675795/canada-soccer-cancels-iran-friendly-amid-opposition | title=Canada cancels Iran friendly amid opposition | date=26 May 2022 }}{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/article/canada-soccer-cancels-mens-national-team-friendly-vs-iran-in-vancouver/ | title=Canada Soccer cancels men's national team friendly vs. Iran in Vancouver | date=26 May 2022 }}

By the start of the World Cup in Qatar, Iran was the highest ranked team from Asia. In October 2022, calls were made to ban the Iranian national team from the World Cup for the Iranian government's blocking of Iranian women from their stadiums, their supplying of weapons to Russia during the invasion of Ukraine, and the treatment towards protesters during the Mahsa Amini protests.{{#invoke:cite news||last=Hall |first=Peter |date=2022-11-02 |title='This is not our national team' – why some Iranians want their own country banned from World Cup |language= |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/this-is-not-our-national-team-why-some-iranians-want-their-own-country-banned-2022-11-01/ |access-date=2022-11-04}}{{#invoke:cite news||date=2022-10-31 |title=Qatar World Cup 2022: Ukraine FA wants Fifa to ban Iran from tournament |language= |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63463937 |access-date=2022-11-04}}{{#invoke:cite news||date=2022-10-20 |title=Qatar World Cup 2022: Fifa asked to ban Iran from tournament |language= |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63338691 |access-date=2022-11-04}} However, Iran started its World Cup campaign with a nightmare, losing 2–6 to England in the opening game as Iran suffered the worst ever loss in its FIFA World Cup history.{{#invoke:cite web||title=England demolish Iran in World Cup opener as Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham play starring roles |url=https://www.planetsport.com/soccer/news/england-demolish-iran-world-cup-opener-bukayo-saka-jude-bellingham-play-starring-roles |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=PlanetSport |date=21 November 2022 |language=en}} The Iranian team notably made headlines in their opening match against England after refusing to sing the national anthem in solidarity with the Mahsa Amini protests, with some Iranian supporters cheering against their own team or boycotting their team amidst the ongoing protests as they felt the team was representing the government.{{#invoke:cite web||last=Church |first=Ben |date=2022-11-21 |title=Iran players remain silent during national anthem at World Cup in apparent protest at Iranian regime |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/21/football/iran-national-anthem-england-2022-world-cup-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{#invoke:cite news||title=Iran players decline to sing national anthem |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63706487 |access-date=2022-11-25}}{{#invoke:cite web||date=2022-11-21 |title='Guilty conscience': Iranians in London torn over cheering on their team |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/21/guilty-conscience-iranians-in-london-torn-over-cheering-on-their-country-due-to-crackdown |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{#invoke:cite news||last=Whitehead |first=Jacob |title=Iranian state television censors players protesting anthem at World Cup |url=https://theathletic.com/3919310/2022/11/21/iran-world-cup-protest/ |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}

In the following match against Wales, amidst the boos and whistles from some of the Iranian supporters during the playing of the national anthem, the Iranian players were filmed singing the national anthem before defeating Wales 2–0 for their first-ever win over a European nation at the World Cup, with some protestors having their pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flags and Women, Life, Freedom banners snatched from them by pro-government fans and stadium security at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.{{#invoke:cite news|| url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63762276 | title=World Cup: Iran protesters confronted at World Cup game against Wales | work=BBC News | date=25 November 2022 }}{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/25/iran-supporters-jeer-national-anthem-before-emotional-win-over-wales | title=Iran offer powerful show of defiance on day of jeers, tears and joy | website=TheGuardian.com | date=25 November 2022 }}{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/world-cup-security-confiscate-iran-28582265 | title=World Cup security take Iran fans' flag as joint protest broken up at Wales game | website=Daily Mirror | date=25 November 2022 }}{{#invoke:cite news|| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63753096 | title=Iran players sing national anthem against Wales | work=BBC Sport }} Protesters were harassed by government supporters with some protesters being detained by Qatari police, while stadium security confirmed they were given orders to confiscate anything but the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/worldcup/2022/11/25/iran-protesters-world-cup-harassed-wales-match/10771198002/ | title=Iran protesters harassed by government supporters at World Cup match vs. Wales | website=USA Today }}{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://theathletic.com/3944297/2022/11/28/world-cup-iran-women-life-freedom/|title=Detained at the World Cup for wearing a 'Women Life Freedom' T-shirt|date=28 November 2022|work=The Athletic}} Documents obtained by Iran International showed Iran was coordinating secret efforts with Qatar to control who attends the World Cup and restrict any signs of dissent.{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202211279876 | title=IRGC Man Says Qatar Helping Iran Silence Dissidents in World Cup | date=9 March 2024 }}

Ahead of Iran's final group stage match against the United States, the Iranian players were allegedly called in to a meeting with members of the IRGC and were threatened with violence and torture for their families if they did not sing the national anthem or joined the protests against the Iranian regime.{{#invoke:cite news||url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/28/football/iran-soccer-family-threats-intl-spt/index.html|title=Iran threatened families of World Cup soccer team, according to security source|date=28 November 2022|work=CNN}} During the match, the Iranian players sang the national anthem again before losing to the United States 1–0 for the first time in their history and thereby being knocked out of the tournament.{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.nationalreview.com/news/iranian-players-mumble-through-national-anthem-at-world-cup-after-alleged-government-threats/ | title=Iranian Players Mumble through National Anthem at World Cup after Alleged Government Threats | website=National Review | date=29 November 2022 }} Some Iranians celebrated the defeat and one Iranian man was killed by security forces in Bandar-e Anzali after honking his car horn in celebration.{{#invoke:cite news|| url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63805284 | title=World Cup 2022: Man killed in Iran celebrating football team's loss – report | work=BBC News | date=30 November 2022 }} Another Iranian fan was also arrested by Qatari police after he was wearing a shirt with the Woman, Life, Freedom slogan.{{#invoke:cite web|| url=https://www.nbcnews.com/video/iranian-soccer-fan-tackled-by-qatar-world-cup-security-over-protest-slogan-155670597526 | title=Iranian soccer fan tackled by Qatar World Cup security over protest slogan | website=NBC News }}

During the World Cup as well as the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the Iranian government reportedly sent paid members of the Basij and IRGC to cheer for the team in the stands.{{Cite web|url=https://iranwire.com/en/sports/124132-iranwire-exclusive-hundreds-of-basij-to-cheer-iranian-football-team-in-qatar/|title=IranWire Exclusive: Hundreds of Basij to Cheer Iranian Football Team in Qatar|accessdate=12 March 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://iranwire.com/en/news/124570-iranian-football-supporters-sent-to-qatar-earn-up-to-100-daily/|title=Iranian Football "Supporters" Sent To Qatar Earn up to $100 Daily|accessdate=12 March 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://www.fotbollskanalen.se/landslag/politiskt-spant-kring-iran-ghoddos-intervju-overvakad-sa-jag-inte-sager-fel-/ | title=Politiskt spänt kring Iran - Ghoddos intervju övervakad: "Så jag inte säger fel saker" }} Iran were eventually knocked out in the semi-final of the Asian Cup by hosts Qatar.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68220280 | title=Ali fires Qatar past Iran and into Asian Cup final | work=BBC Sport }} After the game, Iranian officials reportedly arrested ten teenagers in the city of Javanrud for celebrating the team's elimination from the tournament.{{cite tweet|user=IranIntl_En|number=1758573218896531959

|title=Iran's regime has arrested ten teenagers in the city of Jawanrud in western Iran for celebrating the Islamic Republic's football (soccer) team's elimination from AFC Asian Cup 2023 after being defeated by holders Qatar in the semi-finals}} {{better source|date=March 2024}}

Iran qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 25 March 2025 following a 2–2 draw against Uzbekistan in the third round of AFC qualification.https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/44403276/world-cup-2026-iran-qualifies-uzbekistan

The Iranian national team has received several nicknames by supporters and media. The most common one used is "Team Melli" ({{langx|fa|تیم ملی}}), meaning "The National Team" in Persian. Although the Iranian supporters have popularized "Team Melli",{{#invoke: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 |access-date=21 October 2013 |archive-date=24 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624165159/http://www.goal.com/en/match/45657/uae-vs-iran/report |url-status=live }}{{#invoke:cite web|| last=Veo | first=Valerio | title=Team Melli looked excellent in defeat | website=ESPNFC.com | date=23 November 2014 | url=http://www.espnfc.com/team/iran/469/blog/post/1901739/iran-played-to-an-impressive-1-0-loss-to-argentina-at-the-2014-world-cup | access-date=11 January 2015 | archive-date=25 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225010542/http://www.espnfc.com/team/iran/469/blog/post/1901739/iran-played-to-an-impressive-1-0-loss-to-argentina-at-the-2014-world-cup%20 | url-status=live }} other nicknames for the team include "Persian Stars"{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://90tv.ir/news/پیش-بازی-ایران-یمن-ستارگان-پارسی-وارد-می-شوند|title=پیش بازی ایران – یمن : ستارگان پارسی وارد می‌شوند|website=90tv.ir|language=fa|trans-title=Iran-Yemen pre-match: Persian stars arrive}} {{Dead link|date=November 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{#invoke: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 |access-date=21 October 2013 |archive-date=6 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206100540/http://www.goal.com/en/match/57314/iran-vs-russia/report |url-status=live }}{{#invoke: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 September 2012|access-date=21 October 2013|archive-date=21 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021210420/http://www.ufwc.co.uk/2012/09/iran-vs-north-korea-prepare-for-the-ufwc-megaclash/|url-status=live}} (entitled since the World Cup 2006) "Shiran e Iran",{{#invoke: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 |access-date=22 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131022101157/http://www.khabarsport.com/detail/3527/ |archive-date=22 October 2013 }}{{#invoke: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 |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-date=28 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028211614/http://www.varzesh11.com/fa/soccer_news_centre/news/%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AC%DB%8C%D8%AF_%D8%B3%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA_AFC_%D8%A7%D8%B2_%D8%B1%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%A7%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%DB%8C_%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%87_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%B4%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86_%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86/2426 |url-status=dead }} meaning "The Iranian Lions" or "The Lions of Persia",{{#invoke: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 June 2012 |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061144/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2012/06/sports-the-lions-of-persia.html |url-status=live }}https://web.archive.org/web/20180721162301/http://mentalfloss.com/article/54205/nicknames-all-32-world-cup-2014-teams "Shir Delan", "Lion Hearts" and "Princes of Persia"{{#invoke: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 |access-date=21 October 2013 |archive-date=10 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110204006/http://espnfc.com/columns/story/_/id/861355/john-duerden:-asian-cup-history?cc=5901 |url-status=live }}{{#invoke: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 | publisher=Iran-daily | access-date=22 October 2013 | archive-date=20 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920173057/http://www.iran-daily.com/1389/10/9/MainPaper/3858/Page/11/MainPaper_3858_11.pdf | url-status=live }} (used since AFC Asian Cup 2011).{{#invoke:cite web|| url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-534561 | title=What a despicable slogan for Iranian soccer team | publisher=CNN iReport | access-date=22 October 2013 | archive-date=23 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061544/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-534561 | url-status=live }} Iran's slogan for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was Honour of Persia, selected in an internet poll held by FIFA.{{#invoke: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|first=Matt |last=Knight|date=15 May 2014|work=CNN|access-date=16 May 2014|archive-date=22 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622224001/http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/15/sport/football/world-cup-slogans-football|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/games/be-there-with-hyundai/winning-slogans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518031244/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/games/be-there-with-hyundai/winning-slogans/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 May 2014 |title=The Winners |publisher=fifa.com|access-date=10 June 2014}} A more recently used nickname, due to the presence of the Asiatic cheetah on the 2014 World Cup jersey, is Youzpalangan which means "The Cheetahs".{{#invoke: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|access-date=1 February 2014|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203073932/http://www.persianfootball.com/news/2014/02/01/irans-world-cup-kit-unveiled-photos/|url-status=live}} The team mascot "Yupa" is also a cheetah.{{#invoke:cite web||date=2018-05-19 |title=Iran national football teams' mascot unveiled |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/423740/Iran-national-football-teams-mascot-unveiled |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Tehran Times |language=en}}

{{Commons|Iran national football team kits}}

Traditionally, Iran national football team's home kit is white, and the away kit is red. Sometimes, green shirts with white shorts and red socks are used.

The table below shows the history of kit supplier for the Iranian national football team.

On 1 February 2014, Iran announced the addition of the endangered Asiatic cheetah on their 2014 FIFA World Cup kits to bring attention to its conservation efforts.

{{Main|Iran–Iraq football rivalry|Iran–Saudi Arabia football rivalry}}

Iran and Iraq are neighboring rivals. According to the Malay Mail, "Emotions are always high when Iran and Iraq meet on the football pitch". In the contemporary era, especially during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the two countries had worsened relations and fought the Iran–Iraq War for 8 years.{{#invoke:cite web||last=Duerden |first=John |title=Asia awaits neighbourly rivalry |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/863589 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905023944/http://www.espnfc.com/story/863589 |archive-date=5 September 2017 |access-date=22 November 2014 |work=ESPN}}{{#invoke:cite web||last=Montague |first=James |date=13 January 2011 |title=Pitch Warfare: Iran face Iraq in soccer grudge match |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/01/11/football.asian.iraq.iran/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905001230/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SPORT/01/11/football.asian.iraq.iran/ |archive-date=5 September 2017 |access-date=21 November 2014 |work=CNN}}{{#invoke:cite news||date=5 November 2014 |title=Iran-Iraq classic rivalry |page=11 |newspaper=Iran Daily |number=4924 |url=http://newspaper.iran-daily.com/newspaper/page/4924/11/21845/0 |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905002709/http://newspaper.iran-daily.com/newspaper/page/4924/11/21845/0 |archive-date=5 September 2017}}{{#invoke:cite web||title=Iraq vs. Iran a 53 years old rivalry |url=http://www.teammelli.com/2015/01/21/iraq-vs-iran-a-53-years-old-rivalry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905005210/http://www.teammelli.com/2015/01/21/iraq-vs-iran-a-53-years-old-rivalry/ |archive-date=5 September 2017 |access-date=20 May 2017 |work=Team Melli}}{{#invoke:cite news||title=Trouble flares after Iran beat Iraq |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1595244.stm |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119142641/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2002/1595244.stm |archive-date=19 November 2021}} In 2001, for the first time in decades, an Iran-Iraq match was not held at a neutral venue. The rivalry was escalated after Iraq knocked Iran out of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in controversial circumstances.{{#invoke:cite news||date=25 January 2015 |title=Asian Cup: Iran claims Iraq's Alaa Abdul-Zahra tested positive, lodges complaint about quarter-final result |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-25/iran-lodges-complaint-over-asian-cup-quarter-final-result/6045114 |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703101908/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-25/iran-lodges-complaint-over-asian-cup-quarter-final-result/6045114 |archive-date=3 July 2016}}{{#invoke:cite news||date=25 January 2015 |title=AFC rejects Iranian protest over Iraqi player ineligibility |url=http://www.iraqinews.com/sports/afc-rejects-iranian-protest-over-iraqi-player-ineligibility/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905003911/http://www.iraqinews.com/sports/afc-rejects-iranian-protest-over-iraqi-player-ineligibility/ |archive-date=5 September 2017}} Iran leads the series with 17 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses.

Iran and Saudi Arabia are ideological rivals.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/matches/qualifiers/match=2712/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105035322/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/matches/qualifiers/match=2712/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 January 2013|title=Saudi Arabia VS Iran: Launch pad for Saudi reign|date=28 October 1993|access-date=21 November 2014|work=FIFA.com}} The game was ranked eighth in Goal.com's 2010 list of "Football's 10 Greatest International Rivalries".{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/2377/top-10/2010/11/17/2216499/footballs-10-greatest-international-rivalries-argentina|first=Peter|last=Staunton|title=Football's 10 Greatest International Rivalries; Argentina – Brazil, Portugal – Spain, Algeria – Egypt, Japan – South Korea And More|date=17 November 2010|access-date=21 November 2014|work=Goal.com|archive-date=22 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622153351/https://www.goal.com/en/news/2377/top-10/2010/11/17/2216499/footballs-10-greatest-international-rivalries-argentina|url-status=live}} and ninth in Bleacher Report's 2014 list of "International Football's 10 Most Politically-Charged Football Rivalries"{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://stag-br-app-s5.brenv.net/articles/2233242-international-footballs-10-most-politically-charged-football-rivalries/page/3|first=Jerrad|last=Peters|title=International Football's 10 Most Politically-Charged Football Rivalries|date=15 October 2014|access-date=21 November 2014|work=Bleacher Report|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017205954/http://stag-br-app-s5.brenv.net/articles/2233242-international-footballs-10-most-politically-charged-football-rivalries/page/3|archive-date=17 October 2015}} All of their matches have been competitive; none of them were friendlies. 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.

Outside of the Middle East and Central Asia area, Team Melli has some fierce rivalries with East Asian powerhouses South Korea and Japan. Uniquely, Australia, despite also a major team in Asia, haven't met Iran since joining the AFC in 2006.

{{Main|Iran national football team records#Home record}}

File:Azadi Stadium 1991.PNG, 1991]]

Since 1972, Iran's national stadium has been Tehran's Azadi Stadium with a nominal capacity of 78,116 spectators.{{#invoke:cite web||url=http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1343153/|title=Azadi Stadium Capacity|date=23 July 2016|work=Varzesh3|access-date=24 July 2016|archive-date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729005246/http://www.varzesh3.com/news/1343153|url-status=live}} Azadi Stadium is the 28th largest association football stadium in the world, seventh in Asia and first in West Asia. A record was set in Azadi for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Australia with over 128,000 in attendance.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/matches/qualifiers/match=8705/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425053310/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/matches/qualifiers/match=8705/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 April 2013|title=Classic Football|work=FIFA.com}} Since 1979, the government restricts Iranian women from entering the stadiums.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10927470/World-Cup-ban-Irans-women-just-dont-care.html|title=World Cup ban? Iran's women just don't care|date=26 June 2014|work=Telegraph.co.uk|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319161850/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10927470/World-Cup-ban-Irans-women-just-dont-care.html|url-status=live}}{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2782231-women-allowed-into-iran-football-stadium-for-the-first-time-since-1979 |title=Women Allowed into Iranian Football Stadium for the 1st Time Since 1979 |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=27 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027182447/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2782231-women-allowed-into-iran-football-stadium-for-the-first-time-since-1979 |url-status=live }} However, FIFA condemned the move and wrote to Iranian Football Federation in June 2019. The federation in their letter gave deadline to uplift the restrictions and let women enter the stadiums. On 25 August 2019, deputy Sports Minister Jamshid Taghizadeh stated: "Women can go to Tehran's Azadi stadium to watch the match between Iran's national team and Cambodia in October for the Qatar World Cup qualifier.”{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://nnn.com.ng/2019/08/25/iranian-women-allowed-to-watch-world-cup-qualifier-in-stadium-official/|title=Sport Iranian women allowed to watch World Cup qualifier in stadium – official|date=25 August 2019|access-date=25 August 2019|publisher=NNN|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829141337/https://nnn.com.ng/2019/08/25/iranian-women-allowed-to-watch-world-cup-qualifier-in-stadium-official/|url-status=live}} After the death of Sahar Khodayari, select Iranian women were allowed to attend the match against Cambodia in October 2019. However, in March 2022, Iranian women were again blocked from entering the stadium for a World Cup qualifier.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/31/iran-women-blocked-entering-stadium |title=Iran: Women Blocked from Entering Stadium |date=31 March 2022 |access-date=27 October 2022 |archive-date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026010926/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/31/iran-women-blocked-entering-stadium |url-status=live }}

From 1942 to 1972, Amjadieh Stadium was Iran's national stadium. The other stadiums that Iran has been played international games are Bagh Shomal and Yadegar Emam Stadium (Tabriz), Takhti Stadium (Tehran), Enghelab Stadium (Karaj), Hafezieh Stadium (Shiraz), Takhti Stadium and Imam Reza Stadium (Mashhad).

The Iran National Football Camp is the team's training ground.

File:Iran national football team opponents.png

{{Main|Iran national football team results|Iran national football team records and statistics#Head-to-head records}}

{{Further|Iran national football team results (2020–present)}}

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFFF|Fixture|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

{{footballbox collapsible

|format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

|date = 6 June

|time = {{UTZ|15:30|8}}

|team1 = {{fb-rt|HKG}}

|score = 2–4

|team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

|report =

|goals1 =

• Ma {{goal|14}}
• Pinto {{goal|60}}

|goals2 =

• Taremi {{goal|12|pen.|34|pen.|56}}
• Azmoun {{goal|65}}

|stadium = Hong Kong Stadium

|location = So Kon Po, Hong Kong

|attendance =

|referee = Qasim Matar Al-Hatmi (Oman)

|result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 11 June

| time = {{UTZ|20:30|+3:30}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

| score = 0–0

| team2 = {{fb|UZB}}

| report = https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288267/400017220

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| location = Tehran, Iran

| stadium = Azadi Stadium

| attendance =

| referee = Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)

| result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 5 September

| time = {{UTZ|19:30|+3:30}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

| score = 1–0

| goals1 = *Taremi {{goal|34}}

| goals2 =

| team2 = {{fb|KGZ}}

| location = Fuladshahr, Iran

| stadium = Fuladshahr Stadium

| attendance =

| referee = Yusuke Araki (Japan)

| result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 10 September

| time = {{UTZ|20:00|+4}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|UAE}}

| score = 0–1

| team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

• Ghayedi {{goal|45+3}}

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018450

| location = Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

| stadium = Hazza bin Zayed Stadium

| attendance = 17,826

| referee = Kim Jong-hyeok (South Korea)

| result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

|result=D| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 10 October

| time = {{UTZ|19:00|+5}}

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018460

| team1 = {{fb-rt|UZB}}

| score = 0–0

| team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

| location = Tashkent, Uzbekistan

| stadium = Milliy Stadium

| attendance = 33,829

| referee = Shaun Evans (Australia)

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

|result=W| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 15 October

| time = {{UTZ|19:30|+3:30}}

|report=https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018436

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

| score =4–1

|goals1=*Azmoun {{goal|42||48}}

• Mohebi {{goal|65||90+8}}| team2 = {{fb|QAT}}

|goals2=*Ali {{goal|17}}| location = Dubai, United Arab Emirates{{refn|group="note"|name=Iran Round 3|The AFC has moved the match to an undisclosed neutral venue due to security concerns relating to the 2024 Iran–Israel conflict.{{cite web |title=Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/latest-update-on-afc-asian-qualifiers%E2%84%A2-road-to-26 |website=the-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=10 October 2024 |date=10 October 2024}}}}

|referee=Yusuke Araki (Japan)| stadium = Rashid Stadium

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 14 November

| time = {{UTZ|19:00|7}}

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018440

| team1 = {{fb-rt|PRK}}

| score = 2–3

| team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

|goals1=

• Taremi {{goal|56|o.g.}}
• Kim Yu-song {{goal|59}}

|goals2 =

• Ghayedi {{goal|29}}
• Mohebi {{goal|41||45}}

|stadium = New Laos National Stadium

| location = Vientiane, Laos{{refn|group="note"|name=North Korea Round 3|The North Korean team confirmed has moved the match to Laos due to "security concerns".{{cite web |url=https://www.nknews.org/2024/08/north-korea-moves-world-cup-qualifier-from-pyongyang-due-to-security-concerns/ |title=North Korea moves World Cup qualifier from Pyongyang due to 'security concerns'|website=NK News |first=Shreyas |last=Reddy |date=16 August 2024 |access-date=27 August 2024}}{{Cite web |title=Latest update on AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26

|url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/asian_qualifiers.html/news/latest-update-on-afc-asian-qualifiers%E2%84%A2-road-to-26-1 |website=the-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=24 October 2024 |date=21 October 2024}}}}

|referee = Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

|result=W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 19 November

| time ={{UTZ|20:00|6}}

| report=https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018455| team1 = {{fb-rt|KGZ}}

| score = 2–3

|goals1=*Kojo {{goal|51||64|pen.}}| team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

|goals2=*Taremi {{goal|12}}

• Hardani {{goal|33}}
• Azmoun {{goal|76}}| location = Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

|referee=Ma Ning (China)|stadium = Dolen Omurzakov Stadium

|result=W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 20 March

| time = {{UTZ|19:30|+3:30}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

| score = 2–0

| team2 = {{fb|UAE}}

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018437

| goals1 =

• Azmoun {{goal|45+27}}
• Mohebi {{goal|70}}

| goals2 =

| location = Tehran, Iran

| stadium = Azadi Stadium

| attendance = 20,469

| referee = Ko Hyung-jin (South Korea)

| result = W

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 25 March

| time = {{UTZ|19:30|+3:30}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

| score = 2–2

| team2 = {{fb|UZB}}

| report = https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/520/288263/288276/400018439

| goals1 =

• Taremi {{goal|52||83}}

| goals2 =

• Erkinov {{goal|16}}
• Fayzullaev {{goal|53}}

| location = Tehran, Iran

| stadium = Azadi Stadium

| attendance = 36,702

| referee = Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)

| result = D

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 5 June

| time =

| team1 = {{fb-rt|QAT}}

| score =

| team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| location = Lusail, Qatar

| stadium = Lusail Stadium

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{footballbox collapsible

| format = 1

| round = 2026 World Cup qualification

| date = 10 June

| time =

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

| score =

| team2 = {{fb|PRK}}

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| location = Tehran, Iran

| stadium = Azadi Stadium

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{Football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = Friendly

| date = 6 October

| time = {{UTZ||+3}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|RUS}}

| score =

| team2 = {{fb|IRN}}

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| location = Moscow, Russia

| stadium = VTB Arena

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

{{Football box collapsible

| format = 1

| round = Friendly

| date = 14 October

| time = {{UTZ||+3}}

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IRN}}

| score =

| team2 = {{fb|CHI}}

| report =

| goals1 =

| goals2 =

| location = TBD

| stadium =

| attendance =

| referee =

| result =

}}

• FIFA International match days 2023-2030{{#invoke:cite web||title=Men's International Match Calendar 2023-2030 |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/3123d37097318f7f/original/Men-s-International-Match-Calendar-2023-2030_EN.pdf |website=FIFA |date=April 2023 }}

{{Main|List of Iran national football team managers}}

{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.hamshahrionline.ir/news/749094/%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%AA%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%82%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%87-%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B2%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%88-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%88%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C |title=همشهری آنلاین: دستیاران قلعه نویی در تیم ملی؛ مربی برزیلی و یک پرسپولیسی روی نیمکت ایران |date=15 March 2023 |access-date=15 March 2023 |archive-date= |archive-url= |url-status= }}

The following players have been called up to training camp for preparation of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification against {{fb|UAE}} and {{fb|UZB}} in March 2025.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=14 March 2025 |title=قلعه‌نویی ٢١ بازیکن را به اردو دعوت کرد |url=https://the-ffiri.com/fa/news/25053/%D9%82%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D9%86%D9%88%DB%8C%DB%8C-%D9%A2%D9%A1-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C%DA%A9%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88-%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF |access-date= |website=Iran Football Federation Website |language=fa}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=16 March 2025 |title=دعوت از هفت بازیکن به اردوی تیم ملی فوتبال ایران |url=https://the-ffiri.com/fa/news/25087/%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%87%D9%81%D8%AA-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C%DA%A9%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%AA%DB%8C%D9%85-%D9%85%D9%84%DB%8C-%D9%81%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86 |access-date= |website=Iran Football Federation Website |language=fa}}

Caps and goals updated as of 25 March 2025, after the match against {{fb|UZB}}.

{{nat fs g start}}

{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name=Alireza Beiranvand|sortname=Beiranvand, Alireza|age={{bda|df=y|1992|9|21}}|caps=79|goals=0|club=Tractor|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=GK|name=Payam Niazmand|sortname=Niazmand, Payam|age={{bda|df=y|1995|4|6}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Sepahan|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=GK|name=Hossein Hosseini|sortname=Hosseini, Hossein|age={{bda|df=y|1992|6|30}}|caps=11|goals=0|club=Esteghlal|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name=Saleh Hardani|sortname=Hardani, Saleh|age={{bda|df=y|1998|12|26}}|caps=12|goals=1|club=Esteghlal|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name=Shojae Khalilzadeh|sortname=Khalilzadeh, Shojae|age={{bda|df=y|1989|5|14}}|caps=49|goals=2|club=Tractor|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=Milad Mohammadi|sortname=Mohammadi, Milad|age={{bda|df=y|1993|9|29}}|caps=69|goals=1|club=Persepolis|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=DF|name=Hossein Kanaanizadegan|sortname=Kanaanizadegan, Hossein|age={{bda|df=y|1994|3|23}}|caps=59|goals=6|club=Persepolis|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=DF|name=Amin Hazbavi|sortname=Hazbavi, Amin|age={{bda|2003|5|6|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Sepahan|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=DF|name=Ali Nemati|sortname=Nemati, Ali|age={{bda|df=y|1996|2|7}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=Foolad|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=DF|name=Omid Noorafkan||sortname=Noorafkan, Omid|age={{bda|1997|4|9|df=y}}|caps=29|goals=1| club=Malavan|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=DF|name=Aria Yousefi|sortname=Yousefi, Aria|age={{bda|df=y|2002|4|22}}|caps=6|goals=0|club=Sepahan|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=MF|name=Mohammad Ghorbani|sortname=Ghorbani, Mohammad|age={{bda|df=y|2001|5|21}}|caps=7|goals=0|club=Al Wahda|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=MF|name=Saeid Ezatolahi|sortname=Ezatolahi, Saeid|age={{bda|df=y|1996|10|1}}|caps=75|goals=1|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=MF|name=Alireza Jahanbakhsh|sortname=Jahanbakhsh, Alireza|age={{bda|df=y|1993|8|11}}|caps=91|goals=17|club=Heerenveen|clubnat=NED}}

{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad|sortname=Hosseinnejad, Mohammad Javad|age={{bda|df=y|2003|6|26}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Dynamo Makhachkala|clubnat=RUS}}

{{nat fs g player|no=10|pos=MF|name=Mehdi Ghayedi||sortname=Ghayedi, Mehdi|age={{bda|1998|12|5|df=y}}|caps=27|goals=9|club=Ittihad Kalba|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=MF|name=Ali Gholizadeh|sortname=Gholizadeh, Ali|age={{bda|df=y|1996|3|10}}|caps=42|goals=6|club=Lech Poznań|clubnat=POL}}

{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name=Saman Ghoddos||sortname=Ghoddos, Saman|age={{bda|df=y|1993|9|6}}|caps=57|goals=3|club=Ittihad Kalba|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=MF|name=Mohammad Karimi|sortname=Karimi, Mohammad|age={{bda|df=y|1996|6|20}}|caps=9|goals=0|club=Sepahan|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs break}}

{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=FW|name=Mehdi Taremi|sortname=Taremi, Mehdi|age={{bda|df=y|1992|7|18}}|caps=92|goals=54|club=Internazionale|clubnat=ITA}}

{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=FW|name=Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh|sortname=Hosseinzadeh, Amirhossein|age={{bda|df=y|2000|10|30}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Tractor|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=FW|name=Ali Alipour|sortname=Alipour, Ali|age={{bda|df=y|1995|11|11}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=Persepolis|clubnat=IRN}}

{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=FW|name=Sardar Azmoun|sortname=Azmoun, Sardar|age={{bda|df=y|1995|1|1}}|caps=91|goals=57|club=Shabab Al Ahli|clubnat=UAE}}

{{nat fs end}}

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

{{nat fs r start|background=#FF0000|color=white}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Mohamad Khalifeh|sortname=Khalifeh, Mohamad|age={{bda|df=y|2004|8|19}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Aluminium Arak|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Mohammad Reza Akhbari||sortname=Akhbari, Mohammad Reza|age={{bda|df=y|1993|2|15}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Gol Gohar|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|KGZ}}, 19 November 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Arsha Shakouri|sortname=Shakouri, Arsha|age={{bda|df=y|2006|10|01}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Havadar|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 10 September 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Hossein Pour Hamidi|sortname=Pour Hamidi, Hossein|age={{bda|df=y|1998|3|26}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Tractor|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UZB}}, 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#FF0000}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Danial Eiri|sortname=Eiri, Danial|age={{bda|df=y|2003|10|26}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Malavan|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Mehdi Zare|sortname=Zare, Mehdi|age={{bda|df=y|2003|1|25}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Gol Gohar|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|PRK}}, 14 November 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Mohammad Daneshgar|sortname=Daneshgar, Mohammad|age={{bda|df=y|1994|1|24}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Sepahan|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|QAT}}, 15 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Abolfazl Jalali|sortname=Jalali, Abolfazl|age={{bda|df=y|1998|6|26}}|caps=6|goals=0|club= Esteghlal|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UZB}}, 10 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Aref Gholami|sortname=Gholami, Aref|age={{bda|df=y|1997|4|19}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Tractor|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UZB}}, 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#FF0000}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Rouzbeh Cheshmi|sortname=Cheshmi, Rouzbeh|age={{bda|df=y|1993|7|24}}|caps=36|goals=3|club=Esteghlal|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Mohammad Mohebi|sortname=Mohebi, Mohammad|age={{bda|1998|12|20|df=y}}|caps=28|goals=11|club=Rostov|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Amirmohammad Razzaghnia|sortname=Razzaghnia, Amirmohammad|age={{bda|df=y|2006|4|11}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Gol Gohar Sirjan|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 20 March 2025}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Mehdi Torabi|sortname=Torabi, Mehdi|age={{bda|df=y|1994|9|10}}|caps=51|goals=7|club=Tractor|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|QAT}}, 15 October 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Saeid Mehri|sortname=Mehri, Saeid|age={{bda|1998|2|9|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Persepolis|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UZB}}, 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#FF0000}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Shahriyar Moghanlou||sortname=Moghanlou, Shahriyar|age={{bda|1994|12|21|df=y}}|caps=14|goals=2|club=Ittihad Kalba|clubnat=UAE|latest=v. {{fb|KGZ}}, 19 November 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Saeid Saharkhizan|sortname=Saharkhizan, Saeid|age={{bda|df=y|2003|6|26}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Orenburg|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|KGZ}}, 19 November 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Allahyar Sayyadmanesh|sortname=Sayyadmanesh, Allahyar|age={{bda|2001|6|29|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=1|club=Westerlo|clubnat=BEL|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 10 September 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Javad Aghaeipour|sortname=Aghaeipour, Javad|age={{bda|df=y|1999|12|6}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Sepahan|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UAE}}, 10 September 2024}}

{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Mehdi Limouchi|sortname=Limouchi, Mehdi|age={{bda|1999|11|23|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Sepahan|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|UZB}}, 11 June 2024}}

{{nat fs break|background=#0B0B3F}}

^INJ Withdrew due to injury

^PRE Preliminary squad / standby

^RET Retired from the national team

^SUS Serving suspension

^WD Player withdrew from the squad due to a non-injury issue.

^COV Injured because of COVID-19

{{nat fs end|background=#0B0B3F}}

{{Main|Iran national football team records and statistics|Category:Iran men's international footballers|List of Iran international footballers}}

:{{Updated|25 March 2025.}}{{#invoke:cite web||last1=Mamrud |first1=Roberto |title=Iran – Record International Players |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iran-recintlp.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=31 May 2004 |archive-date=20 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720140046/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iran-recintlp.html |url-status=live }}

: Statistics include official FIFA-recognised matches only.

:Players in bold are still active with Iran.

{{Main|List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps}}

{{See also|:fa:رکوردهای تیم ملی فوتبال ایران#بیشترین بازی ملی|l1=Most appearances for Iran national team}}

File:Iran vs. Montenegro 2014-05-26 (040).jpg player in the history of Iran with 149 appearances.]]

{{See also|List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals}}

{{See also|:fa:رکوردهای تیم ملی فوتبال ایران#بیشترین گل ملی|l1=Top goalscorers for Iran national team}}

File:Ali Daei, Saipa vs. Al-Rayyan pre-match conference.jpg in international matches, having scored 108 goals in 148 matches.]]

Notes

{{notelist|group=players}}

File:Ahmadreza Abedzadeh 20170303 04.jpg

{{Main|Iran at the FIFA World Cup}}

{{See also|FIFA World Cup records and statistics}}

{{Main|Iran at the AFC Asian Cup}}

{{See also|AFC Asian Cup records and statistics}}

{{Main|Football at the Summer Olympics}}

{{Main|Football at the Asian Games}}

{{Main|WAFF Championship}}

{{Main|CAFA Nations Cup}}

{{main|ECO Cup}}

{{main|Afro-Asian Cup of Nations}}

{{main|AFC–OFC Challenge Cup}}

{{Main|Iran national football team records and statistics}}

:Last match updated: {{fb|UZB}} on 25 March 2025.

• FIFA considers Russia as the inheritor of the records of Soviet Union.
• FIFA considers Serbia as the inheritor of the records of SFR Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia.
• FIFA considers Czech Republic as the inheritor of the records of Czechoslovakia.

{{See also|FIFA World Rankings}}

Main: AFC National Team of the Year

9 {{gold1}} , 9 {{silver2}} , 2 {{bronze3}} , 5 (Fourth Place) (25/31) (1993–2023){{cite web | url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men | title=Men's Ranking }}

File:Iran FIFA Ranking.png for Iran, August 1993 – March 2018[https://web.archive.org/web/20070604211258/http://fifa.com/associations/association=irn/ranking/gender=m/index.html FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking] fifa.com]]

Between December 2014 until May 2018, Iran was the highest-ranked team in Asia, the longest continuous period of time that a team has held that distinction.{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.fifa.com/associations/association=irn/ranking/gender=m/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070604211258/http://fifa.com/associations/association=irn/ranking/gender=m/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2007 |title=Iran: FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking |publisher=FIFA.com |access-date=23 December 2016}}

; Highest FIFA ranking : 15 (July 2005){{#invoke:cite news||date=17 June 2013 |title=Asia's finale sees three spots up for grabs |publisher=FIFA.com |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2111172/ |url-status=dead |access-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621052549/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=2111172/ |archive-date=21 June 2013}}

; Lowest FIFA ranking : 122 (May 1996)

; Best mover : +65 (July 1996)

; Worst mover : –43 (October 1995)

Last update was on 01 January 2022.{{#invoke:cite web||title=Iran Mens ranking|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/IRN|access-date=21 December 2020|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710004402/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/IRN|url-status=live}}{{Update section|date= October 2022|reason=Include post-2021 rankings}}

{{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} Best Ranking  {{Color box|gold|border=darkgray}} Worst Ranking  {{Color box|green|border=darkgray}} Best Mover  {{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} Worst Mover  

• Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
• {{silver2}} Runners-up (1): 1991
• AFC–OFC Challenge Cup
• {{gold1}} Champions (1): 2003

• AFC Asian Cup
• 25px Champions (3): 1968, 1972, 1976
• 15px Third place (6): 1980, 1988, 1996, 2004, 2019, 2023
• Asian Games¹
• 15px Gold medal (3): 1974, 1990, 1998
• 15px Silver medal (2): 1951, 1966

• WAFF Championship
• {{gold1}} Champions (4): 2000, 2004, 2007*, 2008
• {{silver2}} Runners-up (1): 2010
• {{bronze3}} Third place (1): 2002
• CAFA Championship
• {{gold1}} Champions (1): 2023
• West Asian Games
• File:Med 1.png Gold medal (1): 1997
• {{silver2}} Runners-up (1): 2002
• {{bronze3}} Third place (1): 2005

• ECO Cup
• Winners: 1965, 1970, 1993
• Runners-up: 1967, 1969, 1974**
• LG Cup{{#invoke:cite web||url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesl/lgcup.html| work=RSSSF|author=rsssf.com|title=LG Cup Four Nations Tournament |date=|access-date=6 November 2022}}
• Winners: 2001, 2002 (Morocco), 2002 (Iran), 2006
• Third place: 2000
• Quaid-e-Azam International Cup
• Winners: 1982
• Iran Friendship Cup
• Runners-up: 1969
• Cyrus International Tournament
• Winners: 1971
• Iran International Tournament
• Winners: 1974
• Fajr International Tournament
• Runners-up: 1986
• Lunar New Year Cup
• Runners-up: 2003
• Third place: 1998
• Ciao February Cup
• Runners-up: 1999
• Canada Cup
• Runners-up: 1999
• Civilization Cup
• Third place: 2001
• Tehran Cup
• Third place: 2005
• Oman Cup
• Third place: 2008

^** as Malavan

• AFC Asian Cup Fair Play Award: 1996

Only official senior honours are included, according to FIFA statutes (competitions organized/recognized by FIFA or an affiliated confederation).

;Notes:

1. Competition organized by the OCA, officially not recognized by FIFA.

• Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran
• Persian Gulf Pro League
• Iranian football clubs in the AFC Champions League
• Asian Club Championship and AFC Champions League Elite records and statistics
• Football in Iran
• Futsal 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
• Tehran XI

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{#invoke:Official website|main}} {{in lang|fa|en}}
• [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/IRN Iran profile] at FIFA.com
• [http://www.teammelli.com/ Extensive archive of Team's results, squads, campaigns and players]
• [http://www.parstimes.com/soccer/ Players Profile, Articles, Statistics and Gallery of National Team]
• [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/iran-intres.html RSSSF archive of results since 1941]
• [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iran-recintlp.html RSSSF archive of most capped players and top goalscorers]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-ach}}}}

{{succession box

| before = 1964 {{fb-rt|Israel}}

| title = Asian Champions

| years = 1968 (first title)
1972 (second title)
1976 (third title)

| after = 1980 {{fb-rt|Kuwait}}

}}

{{succession box

| before = {{fb-big|Myanmar|1974}}
{{fb-big|South Korea}}

| title = Asian Games Champions

| years = 1974 (first title)

| after = {{fb-big|North Korea}}
{{fb-big|South Korea}}

}}

{{succession box

| before = {{fb-rt|South Korea}}

| title = Asian Games Champions

| years = 1990 (second title)

| after = {{fb-big|Uzbekistan}}

}}

{{succession box

| before = {{fb-rt|Uzbekistan}}

| title = Asian Games Champions

| years = 1998 (third title)
2002 (fourth title)

| after = {{fb-big|Qatar}}

}}

{{succession box

| before = Inaugural champions

| title = WAFF Champions

| years = 2000 (first title)

| after = 2002 {{fb|Iraq|1991}}

}}

{{succession box

| before = 2002 {{fb|Iraq|1991}}

| title = WAFF Champions

| years = 2004 (second title)
2007 (third title)
2008 (fourth title)

| after = 2010 {{fb|Kuwait}}

}}

{{s-end}}

{{AFC Asian Cup winners}}

{{Asian Games football men's tournament winners}}

{{Iran national football team}}

{{#invoke:navboxes|top

|title = World Cup Finalists

|state = collapsed}}

{{1978 FIFA World Cup finalists}}

{{1998 FIFA World Cup finalists}}

{{2006 FIFA World Cup finalists}}

{{2014 FIFA World Cup finalists}}

{{2018 FIFA World Cup finalists}}

{{2022 FIFA World Cup finalists}}

{{#invoke:navboxes|bottom}}

{{#invoke:navboxes|top

|title = Asian Cup Finalists

|state = collapsed}}

{{1968 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1972 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1976 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1980 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1984 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1988 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1992 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{1996 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2000 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2004 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2007 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2011 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2015 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2019 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{2023 AFC Asian Cup finalists}}

{{#invoke:navboxes|bottom}}

{{navboxes top|title = Olympics squads navigation boxes}}

{{Iran football squad 1964 Summer Olympics}}

{{Iran football squad 1972 Summer Olympics}}

{{Iran football squad 1976 Summer Olympics}}

{{navboxes bottom}}

{{navboxes top|title = FIFA World Cup squads navigation boxes}}

{{Iran squad 1978 FIFA World Cup}}

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{{Iran squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}

{{navboxes bottom}}

{{navboxes top|title = AFC Asian Cup squads navigation boxes}}

{{Iran squad 1968 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 1972 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 1976 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 1980 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 1984 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 1988 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 1992 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 1996 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 2000 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 2004 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 2007 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 2011 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 2015 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 2019 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{Iran squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}

{{navboxes bottom}}

{{Football in Iran}}

{{AFC teams}}

{{National sports teams of Iran}}

Category:AFC Asian Cup–winning countries

Category:Asian national association football teams

Category:Football in Iran