AFC Asian Cup
The Iranians were the dominant force in Asian football from the late 1960s until the end of the 1970s, winning the AFC Asian Cup in 1968, 1972 and 1976 while also qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup in 1978.
Spearheaded by legendary names such as Ali Parvin and Nasser Hejazi, Team Melli stood tall as the kings of the continent until that golden era came to an end. Since then, the Iranians have experienced a long series of near-misses.
Spearheaded by legendary names such as Ali Parvin and Nasser Hejazi, Team Melli stood tall as the kings of the continent until that golden era came to an end. Since then, the Iranians have experienced a long series of near-misses.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 23rd
Previous appearances: 15
First appearance: 1968
Best finish: Champions (1968, 1972, 1976)
2023 result: Semi-finals
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group E winners
Group C fixtures - Jan 9 v China PR), Jan 13 v Kyrgyz Republic, Jan 18 v Syria
Fun fact: IR Iran have played in the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup on nine occasions, more than any other nation in the tournament’s history
FIFA Ranking: 23rd
Previous appearances: 15
First appearance: 1968
Best finish: Champions (1968, 1972, 1976)
2023 result: Semi-finals
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group E winners
Group C fixtures - Jan 9 v China PR), Jan 13 v Kyrgyz Republic, Jan 18 v Syria
Fun fact: IR Iran have played in the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup on nine occasions, more than any other nation in the tournament’s history
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Spearheaded by legendary names such as Ali Parvin and Nasser Hejazi, Team Melli stood tall as the kings of the continent until that golden era came to an end. Since then, the Iranians have experienced a long series of near-misses.
Runs to the semi-finals in 1980, 1984 and 1988 yielded little more than frustration as Iran were unable to add a fourth AFC Asian Cup title, with the country crashing out in the group stages in Japan in 1992.
The next tournament in the United Arab Emirates in 1996 marked a return to the upper echelon for the Iranians, with a team boasting the talent of Ali Daei, Khodadad Azizi and Karim Bagheri once again reaching the semi-finals.
Runs to the semi-finals in 1980, 1984 and 1988 yielded little more than frustration as Iran were unable to add a fourth AFC Asian Cup title, with the country crashing out in the group stages in Japan in 1992.
The next tournament in the United Arab Emirates in 1996 marked a return to the upper echelon for the Iranians, with a team boasting the talent of Ali Daei, Khodadad Azizi and Karim Bagheri once again reaching the semi-finals.
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That phase of the competition, however, has become a familiar stumbling block for the country. Another run ended at the semi-final stage in 2004 while there were quarter-final exits in 2007, 2011 and 2015.
The Iranians returned to the semi-finals in both 2019 and 2023, marking seven times the nation has reached the last four without advancing to the final since 1976.
The team’s performance at the most recent edition of the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar saw the country hit both the highs and lows.
The Iranians returned to the semi-finals in both 2019 and 2023, marking seven times the nation has reached the last four without advancing to the final since 1976.
The team’s performance at the most recent edition of the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar saw the country hit both the highs and lows.
A gutsy 2-1 come-from-behind win over tournament favourites Japan in the quarter-finals was followed by the frustration of a 3-2 defeat against hosts and defending champions Qatar that came despite the Iranians taking a fourth minute lead through Sardar Azmoun.
That performance was achieved under Amir Ghaleonoi and the 62-year-old remains in place as head coach for another crack at winning the AFC Asian Cup with a squad that is likely to contain many of the players that missed out in both 2019 and 2023.
Mehdi Taremi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Ramin Rezaeian are among those to have featured at the most recent FIFA World Cup who will carry the challenge for that elusive fourth title when an aging generation looks to finally break a drought that has lasted half a century.
That performance was achieved under Amir Ghaleonoi and the 62-year-old remains in place as head coach for another crack at winning the AFC Asian Cup with a squad that is likely to contain many of the players that missed out in both 2019 and 2023.
Mehdi Taremi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Ramin Rezaeian are among those to have featured at the most recent FIFA World Cup who will carry the challenge for that elusive fourth title when an aging generation looks to finally break a drought that has lasted half a century.
