Iran–Iraq football rivalry
The Iran and Iraq national football teams are sporting rivals[1][2][3] who have played each other since 1962.
![]() | |
Other names | Iran vs Iraq |
---|---|
Locale | Asia |
Teams | ![]() ![]() |
First meeting | 1 June 1962 (59 years ago) |
Latest meeting | Iraq 2–1 Iran 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (14 November 2019) |
Next meeting | TBD |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 28 |
Most wins | Iran (15) |
Top scorer | ![]() |
Largest victory | Iran 4–0 Iraq 1964 Olympic qualification (22 March 1964) |
According to The Malay Mail, "Emotions are always high when Iran and Iraq meet on the football pitch".[4]
The most recent matches between the two teams were the group stage match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup where Iraq and Iran drew 0–0 and a World Cup qualifier in November 2019 hosted in Jordan, where Iraq won the game by 2–1.
Origins
The rivalry is not such a football-inspired ill-feeling between the two, but more of geography, religion and history.[1] Iran and Iraq are neighbouring countries, sharing a long history. In contemporary era, especially during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the two countries had bad relations and fought the Iran–Iraq War for 8 years.[2][3]
In 2001, for the first time in decades, an Iran-Iraq match was not held at a neutral venue.[3]
Major tournament matches
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
Iran ![]() | 3–3 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Azmoun ![]() Pouraliganji ![]() Ghoochannejhad ![]() |
Report | Yasin ![]() Mahmoud ![]() Ismail ![]() |
Penalties | ||
Hajsafi ![]() Pouraliganji ![]() Nekounam ![]() Hosseini ![]() Ghafouri ![]() Jahanbakhsh ![]() Teymourian ![]() Amiri ![]() |
6–7 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
Iraq ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report (FIFA) Report (AFC) |
|
Matches
- Not a full FIFA international
- Iraq won on penalties.
- Iran competed in the tournament with its B team squad.
- Played behind closed-doors.
Top scorers
Rank | Player | Goals |
---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 4 |
2 | ![]() | 3 |
![]() | 3 | |
3 | Various players | 2 |
References
- Duerden, John. "Asia awaits neighbourly rivalry". ESPN. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- Montague, James (January 13, 2011). "Pitch Warfare: Iran face Iraq in soccer grudge match". CNN. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- "Iran-Iraq classic rivalry". Iran Daily (4924). November 5, 2014. p. 11.
- Montague, James (January 22, 2015). "Iran vs Iraq: Quarter-final clash reignites decades-old rivalry". The Malay Mail. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
- Panahi, Majeed (7 August 2014). "Iran – International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
- Courtney, Barrie (21 January 2011). "Iraq – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved November 21, 2014.