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The Iran men's national football team has participated in 14 editions of the AFC Asian Cup, first appearing in the 1968 Asian Cup after automatically qualifying as hosts. Overall, Iran is one of the most successful teams in Asia, having won three titles from 1968 to 1976. However, after the 1976 Asian Cup, Iran's best performance is just third place.
| AFC Asian Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
 1956 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
 1960 | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 10 | |||||||||
 1964 | Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
 1968 | Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | Squad | Qualified as host | ||||||
 1972 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | Squad | Qualified as champion | ||||||
| 1976 | Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | Squad | Qualified as host | ||||||
 1980 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 6 | Squad | Qualified as champion | ||||||
 1984 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 2 | |
 1988 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
 1992 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Squad | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
 1996 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 6 | Squad | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
 2000 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 2 | |
 2004 | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 8 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 5 | |
   2007 |
Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2011 |
Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 | |
 2015 |
Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 5 | |
| 2019 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | Squad | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 3 | |
| 2023 | Semi-finals | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 | Squad | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 4 | |
 2027 | Qualified | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 4 | |||||||||
| Total | 3 titles | 16/19 | 74 | 45 | 20 | 9 | 143 | 55 | — | 76 | 57 | 12 | 7 | 226 | 41 | |
| Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bahrain |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Bangladesh |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 100.00 |
 Cambodia |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
| China |
7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 5 | +7 | 42.86 |
 Chinese Taipei |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
 Hong Kong |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 100.00 |
 India |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +0 | 0.00 |
 Iraq |
7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 57.14 |
| Israel |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
 Japan |
5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 20.00 |
| Kuwait |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | +0 | 25.00 |
| Lebanon |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 100.00 |
| Malaysia |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Myanmar |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 100.00 |
 North Korea |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 100.00 |
 Oman |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 50.00 |
 Palestine |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 100.00 |
| Qatar |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 66.67 |
| Saudi Arabia |
4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 25.00 |
| Singapore |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
 South Korea |
7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 42.86 |
 South Yemen |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 | 100.00 |
 Syria |
2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +0 | 0.00 |
| Thailand |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | +6 | 75.00 |
| United Arab Emirates |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | 83.33 |
 Uzbekistan |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 100.00 |
| Vietnam |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 |
 Yemen |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 |
| Total | 74 | 45 | 20 | 9 | 143 | 55 | +88 | 60.81 |
It was Iran's first ever Asian Cup debut, as they were awarded as host. Iran lifted the trophy for the first time.[1]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran (H) |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 8 | Champions |
| 2 |  Burma |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 5 | Runners-up |
| 3 | Israel |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 4 | Third place |
| 4 |  Republic of China |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 2 | Fourth place |
| 5 |  Hong Kong |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 1 | Fifth place |
| Iran | 2–1 | Israel |
|---|---|---|
Behzadi  75'Ghelichkhani 86' |
Spiegel 56' |
Group allocation match
| Iran | 2–0 |  Khmer Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Kalani 45' Iranpak 51' |
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 4 | Advance to Knockout stage |
| 2 | Thailand (H) |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1 | |
| 3 |  Iraq |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 |
Semi-finals
| Iran | 2–1 | Khmer Republic |
|---|---|---|
| Iranpak 13' Ghelichkhani 47' |
Doeur Sokhom 18' |
Final
| Iran | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Jabbari 48' Kalani 108' |
Park Lee-Chun 65' |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran (H) |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | 4 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Iraq |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 2 | |
| 3 | South Yemen |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 |
Semi-finals
Final
It would have been the last time Iran has ever won the title, as for 2019. However, Iran holds record as the most consecutive champion, having won three strait titles comparing to Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, bot have two strait titles.
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Iran |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 |  North Korea |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 6 | |
| 3 | Syria |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | |
| 4 | China |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 3 | |
| 5 | Bangladesh |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 17 | −15 | 0 |
Source: RSSSF
Attendance: 15,000
| China | 2–2 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Chen Jingang 74' Xu Yonglai 89' |
Alidousti 35' Fariba 70' |
Attendance: 10,000
| Bangladesh | 0–7 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Fariba 11', 34', 80', 82' Roshan 21'Barzegari 27', 87' |
Attendance: 2,000
| Iran | 3–2 | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Alidousti 27' Danaeifard 57'Fariba 60' |
Hwang Sang-hoi 68' Pak Jong-hun 90' |
Semi-finals
Third place match
| Iran | 3–0 | North Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Fariba 49' Faraki 66', 76' |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Iran |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | |
| 3 | United Arab Emirates |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 4 | |
| 4 | Singapore (H) |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
| 5 | India |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 1 |
| Iran | 3–0 | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Alidousti 27' Shahrokh Bayani 85' (pen.)Mohammadkhani 87' |
| Iran | 2–0 | China |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammadkhani 57' Arabshahi 69' |
| Singapore | 1–1 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Saad 61' |
Shahrokh Bayani 55' (pen.) |
Semi-finals
| Saudi Arabia | 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Shahin Bayani 88' (o.g.) |
Shahrokh Bayani 43' |
|
| Penalties | ||
Abdullah  Abduljawad Nu'eimeh Al-Jam'an Al-Musaibeah |
5 – 4 | Hajiloo Mokhtarifar Derakhshan Panjali Shahrokh Bayani |
Third place match
| Iran | 1 – 1 | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammadkhani 80' |
Al-Haddad 26' |
|
| Penalties | ||
| Hajiloo Derakhshan Ahadi Mokhtarifar |
3 – 5 | Al-Dakhil Al-Suwayed Juma'a Al-Jasem Al-Qabendi |
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  South Korea |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 8 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Iran |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | |
| 3 | Qatar (H) |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 4 | |
| 4 | United Arab Emirates |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 2 | |
| 5 | Japan |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 1 |
| Iran | 1–0 | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Pious 27' |
Report |
| South Korea | 3–0 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Byun Byung-Joo 26', 57' Hwang Sun-Hong 42' |
Report |
Semi-finals
| Saudi Arabia | 1–0 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Abdullah 16' |
Report |
Third place match
The 1992 tournament was considered as the most disappointing tournament for Iran, after ended up in group stage and got eliminated for the first time in the history. It remains as the only time Iran failed to qualify from the group stage.
The last match between Japan and Iran has been a significant subject on the criticism. Iran came to the match with four points, an advantage comparing to its Japanese rival which was forced to gain a win after two draws. However, the match was marred with three red cards for the Iranian team, the first red card in early second half for Jamshid Shahmohammadi in 54' caused drain for the Iranian side when they played only with ten men. In 86', Kazuyoshi Miura scored the decisive goal for Japan that Iranian side had protested to be offside, but instead Nader Mohammadkhani and Farshad Pious were issued red card as well, thus Iran had to play entire of the last minutes with eight players, and eventually, lost 0–1 and eliminated from the competition; Japan went on to win its first Asian title, and marked the rise of Japan as an Asian football power.[2] Many Iranian supporters have continued to hold the match as the biggest robbery in their football history.[3]
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan (H) |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 3 | Iran |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
| 4 | North Korea |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 1 |
| North Korea | 0–2 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Pious 30' Ghayeghran 80' |
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 6 | |
| 3 |  Iraq |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | |
| 4 | Thailand |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 13 | −11 | 0 |
Source: RSSSF
Quarter-finals
| South Korea | 2–6 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Kim Do-Hoon 11' Shin Tae-Yong 35' |
Report | Bagheri 31' Azizi 52'Daei 66', 76', 83', 89' (pen.) |
Semi-finals
Third place match
| Iran | 1–1 | Kuwait |
|---|---|---|
| Daei 40' |
Report | Al-Huwaidi 15' |
| Penalties | ||
| Moharrami Estili Peyrovani Bagheri |
3–2 | Badr Haji Bashar Abdullah Al-Lenqawi Abdulrahman Al-Huwaidi |
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Iraq |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
| 3 | Thailand |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 2 | |
| 4 | Lebanon (H) |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 2 |
| Iran | 1–1 | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Daei 73' |
Report | Pituratana 12' |
Quarter-finals
| Iran | 1–2 (a.e.t.) |  South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Bagheri 71' |
Report | Kim Sang-Sik 90' Lee Dong-Gook  99' |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Iran |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 | |
| 3 | Oman |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
| 4 | Thailand |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 0 |
Source: RSSSF
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Abdul Rahman Al-Delawar (Bahrain)
Quarter-finals
| South Korea | 3–4 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Seol Ki-Hyeon 16' Lee Dong-Gook 25'Kim Nam-Il 68' |
Report | Karimi 10', 20', 77' Park Jin-Seop 51' (o.g.) |
Semi-finals
| China | 1–1 (a.e.t.) | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Shao Jiayi 18' |
Report | Alavi 38' |
| Penalties | ||
| Zheng Zhi Zhao Junzhe Li Xiaopeng Sun Xiang Shao Jiayi |
4–3 | Daei Mahdavikia Nekounam Mobali Golmohammadi |
Third place match
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Uzbekistan |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 6 | |
| 3 | China |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 4 | |
| 4 | Malaysia (H) |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | −11 | 0 |
| China | 2–2 | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| Shao Jiayi 7' Mao Jianqing 33' |
Report | Zandi 45+1' Nekounam 74' |
Quarter-finals
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Iraq |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | North Korea |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 1 | |
| 4 | United Arab Emirates |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 1 |
| 11 January 2011 | ||
| Iraq | 1–2 | Iran |
| 15 January 2011 | ||
| Iran | 1–0 | North Korea |
| 19 January 2011 | ||
| United Arab Emirates | 0–3 | Iran |
Quarter-finals
| Iran | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Yoon Bit-Garam 105' |
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | |
| 3 | Bahrain |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 3 | |
| 4 | Qatar |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 0 |
| 11 January 2015 | |||
| Iran | 2–0 | Bahrain | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 15 January 2015 | |||
| Qatar | 0–1 | Iran | Stadium Australia, Sydney |
| 19 January 2015 | |||
| Iran | 1–0 | United Arab Emirates | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane |
Quarter-finals
| Iran | 3–3 (a.e.t.) | Iraq |
|---|---|---|
| Azmoun 24' Pouraliganji 103'Ghoochannejhad 119' |
Report | Yasin 56' Mahmoud 93'Ismail 116' (pen.) |
| Penalties | ||
| Hajsafi Pouraliganji Nekounam Hosseini Ghafouri Jahanbakhsh Teymourian Amiri |
6–7 | Abdul-Amir Salem Ismail Adnan Mahmoud Kasim Hussein Shaker |
With a third straight defeat in the quarter-finals, Iran had failed to pass through the quarter-finals for three consecutive Asian Cup. Adding with the last time Iran crowned as champion in 1976, Iran had not won the Asian Cup for 43 years.
Ali Daei, former Iran's international, stated Iran would have to be more confident to win the Asian Cup and ended their 47 years in drought of the title, citing their 2018 World Cup participation as useful to help Iran.[6]
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Iraq |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 7 | |
| 3 | Vietnam |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | Yemen |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | −10 | 0 |
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iran |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 4 | |
| 3 | Palestine |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | Hong Kong |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 0 |
| Iran | 4–1 | Palestine |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
| Iran | 2–1 | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Knockout stage
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
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