Iran National Football Team (History, Players)

The Iran National Football Team, known worldwide as “Team Melli”, represents Iran in international football and is governed by the Iran Football Federation. Team Melli has qualified for the FIFA World Cup five times. Founded in 1920, they have had a successful history, with its best performance occurring in 1978 when it reached the knockout stage. Team Melli has also achieved significant success in Asian competitions, winning the AFC Asian Cup three times (1968, 1972, and 1976). The team’s colors are typically red, white, and green, portraying the national flag, and it enjoys a passionate fan base both domestically and among the Iranian diaspora.

Is Iran in FIFA?

Iran is a member of FIFA, the international governing body for football. Iran’s football federation, known as the Iran Football Federation (IFF), became a member of FIFA in 1948. This membership has allowed the Iranian national team, commonly referred to as Team Melli, to compete in various international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and other continental competitions. The team has made several World Cup appearances, presenting Iran’s footballing talents on a global level.

In addition to participating in the World Cup, Iran has been involved in numerous FIFA-sanctioned events and has developed a competitive domestic league system. The country’s passionate football culture and history have positioned it as a substantial player in Asian football, producing outstanding players who have competed both internationally and in top leagues around the world. Despite political and economic challenges, the Iranian national team continues to inspire millions, gaining success in international football and obtaining recognition for its achievements.

Why Team Melli?

The Iran National Football Team is called “Team Melli,” which translates to “National Team” in Persian. The term “Melli” signifies the team’s representation of the entire nation, carrying the pride and unity of the Iranian people. This name shows the team’s role as a symbol of national identity, especially during international competitions when the players compete against other countries.

The designation of “Team Melli” combines the social importance of football in Iran, being a source of national pride and unity among Iranians. The name has become synonymous with the hopes and aspirations of the Iranian population, especially during major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup.

Iran National Football Team History

The Iran national football team’s first match was on 23 August 1941 in Kabul, winning against British India, and the first FIFA match took place on 25 August 1941. Since 1974, the team has participated in the World Cup qualifiers and has succeeded in participating in the group stage of these games in 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Team Melli also participated in the Olympic qualifiers until 1978 and managed to reach the group stage in the 1964 Tokyo, 1972 Munich, and 1976 Montreal Olympics. Since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Iran’s Omid team participated in these tournaments.

Iran’s national football team is considered one of the most powerful Asian teams and has won the Asian Nations Cup three times in 1968, 1972, and 1976. Team Melli represented Iran in the Asian Games until 1998 and won the gold medal three times in 1974 in Tehran, 1990 in Beijing, and 1998 in Bangkok.

Iran’s only goal scorer in the early tournaments was Karam Nirlou. His goal was scored from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw against Mexico. The match against East Germany was Iran’s first official match against a European team, and the match against Mexico was the first official match against a team from the CONCACAF region. Thus, Iran faced non-Asian teams for the first time in its history. A few months before the start of the Iran Olympic Games, Nirlou traveled to the Soviet Union and Hungary for some preparatory matches.

In 2000, Iran joined the West Asian Football Federation and participated in the West Asian Football Championship. They were able to win the tournament four times in 2000, 2004, 2007, and 2008.

Iran National Football Team Players

The Iran National Football Team is a force to be reckoned with, comprising 20 talented players who have made their mark on the international football scene. The squad includes notable athletes such as Alireza Beiranvand, Sardar Azmoun, Ehsan Hajsafi, Mehdi Taremi, and many more, each contributing their unique skills and strengths to the team. With a strong lineup and a dedication to excellence, the Iran National Football Team continues to inspire fans worldwide and make their nation proud.

Mehdi Taremi (Forward)

Taremi plays as a striker for Serie A club Inter Milan and the Iran Team Melli. From 2018 to 2019, he played for Qatari side Al-Gharafa before joining Rio Ave in Portugal, with whom he was Primeira Liga joint-top scorer in 2019–20.

Team: Internazionale (ITA)

Age: 30

Caps: 85

Goals: 51

Alireza Beiranvand (Goalkeeper)

Beiranvand portrayed Iran internationally at the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, 2019, and 2023 and at the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022. In 2017, he became the first Iranian ever to be nominated for an individual award at The Best FIFA Football Awards.

Team: Tractor

Age: 31

Caps: 71

Goals: 0

Sardar Azmoun (Forward)

He plays as a forward for the UAE Pro League club Shabab Al Ahli and the Iran national team “Team Melli.”

Azmoun made his appearance for Team Melli in 2014 at the age of 19. He has been a regular player with the Iran National Team, playing in the 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions of the AFC Asian Cup, as well as the 2018 and 2022 editions of the FIFA World Cup.

Team: Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE)

Age: 29

Caps: 83

Goals: 53

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Forward/Captain)

He is an Iranian/Dutch professional footballer who captains the Iran national team and also plays as a right winger and attacking midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie club SC Heerenveen. Internationally, Jahanbakhsh participated in the FIFA World Cup in 2014, 2018, and 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, 2019, and 2023.

Team: Feyenoord (NED)

Age: 30

Caps: 84

Goals: 17

Ramin Rezaeian (Defender)

Rezaeian plays as a defender for Team Melli and the Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal. He is known for his great speed, agility, and athleticism and is often seen as one of Iran’s best-ever fullbacks.

Team: Esteghlal

Age: 34

Caps: 65

Goals: 6

Mehdi Ghayedi (Forward)

Ghayedi is nicknamed the “Neymar of Asia” for his high speed, agility, and flair. He plays as a forward or second striker for the Iran national team and UAE Pro League club Kalba.

Team: Ittihad kalba (UAE)

Age: 25

Caps: 18

Goals: 7

Ehsan Hajsafi (Captain/ Defender)

Hajsafi captains the Iran national team and plays as a left-back for the Greek Super League club AEK Athens. He has played in Team Melli at the 2014, 2018, and 2022 editions of the FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 AFC Asian Cup tournaments.

Team: AEK Athens (GRE)

Age: 34

Caps: 140

Goals: 7

Saeed Ezatollahi (Midfielder)

He plays as a defensive midfielder for the Iran national team and club Shabab Al Ahli in the UAE Pro League. He became the youngest goal scorer in the history of Team Melli at the age of 19.

Team: Shabab Al-Ahli (UAE)

Age: 27

Caps: 68

Goals: 1

Saman Ghoddos (Midfielder)

He is an Iranian Swedish-born professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or striker for the Iran national team and Kalba in the UAE Pro League. Ghoddos was born in Sweden to Iranian parents. He initially played for Sweden’s national team before switching to Team Melli in 2017.

Team: Ittihad Kalba (UAE)

Age: 30

Caps: 52

Goals: 3

Shojae Khalilzadeh (Defender)

Khalilzadeh is known for his artistic tackles, pace, and positional sense. He plays as a center-back for the Persian Gulf Pro League Club Tractor and Iran national team. In October 2020, he joined the Qatari side of Al-Rayyan.

Team: Tractor

Age: 35

Caps: 42

Goals: 2

Hossein Kanaanizadegan (Defender)

Kanaanizadegan plays as a defender for Iran national team and Persian Gulf Pro League club Persepolis. He joined Persepolis in January 2012 and signed a 2+1⁄2-year contract until the end of the 2013–14 season with the club.

Team: Persepolis

Age: 30

Caps: 54

Goals: 6

Milad Mohammadi (Defender)

He was one of the groups that Carlos Queiroz picked for Team Melli after the Asian Cup. He was a member of the squad that won the WAFF U23 championship title in Doha, Qatar, in 2015. Operates on the left side and is well known for his speed and pace.

Team: Persepolis

Age: 30

Caps: 61

Goals: 1

Iran Football Players in Europe

Iran has produced several talented football players who have made a significant impact in European leagues. A renowned player among them is Mehdi Taremi, a forward who has played for clubs like FC Porto in Portugal, displaying his scoring ability and earning recognition in the Primeira Liga. Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who played for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League, is another prominent figure known for his skill and creative play. Additionally, Sardar Azmoun, often referred to as the “Iranian Messi,” has been represented in various European clubs, currently playing for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, and has gained a reputation as a prolific goal-scorer.

Final Word

The Iran National Football Team, also known as Team Melli, has shown great capabilities and success throughout their years of activity and has gained a prestigious image among high-ranking football teams. These players, among others, prove the growing talent in Iranian football and the increasing presence of Iranian players in competitive European leagues and Team Melli. Their achievements not only elevate their personal careers but also add to the visibility of Iranian football on the international stage.

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