Iran at the AFC Asian Cup
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.
Overall results
AFC Asian Cup finals | AFC Asian Cup qualification | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts/Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | |
![]() | Withdrew | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 10 | |
![]() | Withdrew | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() | Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | Automatic qualification as hosts | ||||||
![]() | Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | Automatic qualification as champions | ||||||
![]() | Champions | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | Automatic qualification as hosts and as champions | ||||||
![]() | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 6 | Automatic qualification as champions | ||||||
![]() | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |
![]() | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | |
![]() | Round 1 | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
![]() | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
![]() | Quarterfinals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 2 | |
![]() | Third place | 3rd | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 5 | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Quarterfinals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
![]() | Quarterfinals | 5th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 2 | |
![]() | Quarterfinals | 6th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 5 | |
![]() | Semifinals | 3rd | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 3 | |
Total | 3 titles | 14/17 | 68 | 41 | 18 | 8 | 131 | 48 | 61 | 46 | 10 | 5 | 175 | 33 |
1968 Asian Cup
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 | Final result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | +9 | 8 | Champions |
2 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 5 | |
3 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 2 | |
5 | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 1 |
(H) Host.
Iran ![]() | 4–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Behzadi ![]() Kalani ![]() Eftekhari ![]() Farzami ![]() |
Iran ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Behzadi ![]() Ghelichkhani ![]() |
Spiegel ![]() |
1972 Asian Cup
Group allocation match
Iran ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Kalani ![]() Iranpak ![]() |
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 4 | Advance to Knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1 | |
3 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1 |
(H) Host.
Semi-finals
Iran ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Iranpak ![]() Ghelichkhani ![]() |
Doeur Sokhom ![]() |
Final
Iran ![]() | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Jabbari ![]() Kalani ![]() |
Park Lee-Chun ![]() |
1976 Asian Cup
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | 4 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 2 | |
3 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | −9 | 0 |
(H) Host.
Semi-finals
1980 Asian Cup
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 6 | |
3 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | |
4 | ![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 3 | |
5 | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 17 | −15 | 0 |
China PR ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Chen Jingang ![]() Xu Yonglai ![]() |
Alidousti ![]() Fariba ![]() |
Bangladesh ![]() | 0–7 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Fariba ![]() Roshan ![]() Barzegari ![]() |
Iran ![]() | 3–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Alidousti ![]() Danaeifard ![]() Fariba ![]() |
Hwang Sang-hoi ![]() Pak Jong-hun ![]() |
Third place match
Iran ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Fariba ![]() Faraki ![]() |
1984 Asian Cup
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 | +8 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 6 | |
3 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
5 | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | −7 | 1 |
(H) Host.
Iran ![]() | 3 – 0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Alidousti ![]() Shahrokh Bayani ![]() Mohammadkhani ![]() |
Iran ![]() | 2 – 0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Mohammadkhani ![]() Arabshahi ![]() |
Singapore ![]() | 1 – 1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Saad ![]() |
Shahrokh Bayani ![]() |
Semi-finals
Saudi Arabia ![]() | 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Shahin Bayani ![]() |
Shahrokh Bayani ![]() |
|
Penalties | ||
Abdullah ![]() Abduljawad ![]() Nu'eimeh ![]() Al-Jam'an ![]() Al-Musaibeah ![]() |
5 – 4 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Third place match
Iran ![]() | 1 – 1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Mohammadkhani ![]() |
Al-Haddad ![]() |
|
Penalties | ||
Hajiloo ![]() Derakhshan ![]() Ahadi ![]() Mokhtarifar ![]() |
3 – 5 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
1988 Asian Cup
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 8 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | |
3 | ![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 2 | |
5 | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 6 | −6 | 1 |
(H) Host.
Iran ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Pious ![]() |
Report |
South Korea ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Byun Byung-Joo ![]() Hwang Sun-Hong ![]() |
Report |
Semi-finals
Saudi Arabia ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Abdullah ![]() |
Report |
Third place match
1992 Asian Cup
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 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 1 |
North Korea ![]() | 0–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report | Pious ![]() Ghayeghran ![]() |
1996 Asian Cup
Group B
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 6 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 13 | −11 | 0 |
Quarter-finals
South Korea ![]() | 2–6 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Kim Do-Hoon ![]() Shin Tae-Yong ![]() |
Report | Bagheri ![]() Azizi ![]() Daei ![]() |
Semi-finals
Third place match
Iran ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Daei ![]() |
Report | Al-Huwaidi ![]() |
Penalties | ||
Moharrami ![]() Estili ![]() Peyrovani ![]() Bagheri ![]() |
3–2 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2000 Asian Cup
Group A
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 2 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 2 |
(H) Host.
Iran ![]() | 1–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Daei ![]() |
Report | Pituratana ![]() |
Quarter-finals
Iran ![]() | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Bagheri ![]() |
Report | Kim Sang-Sik ![]() Lee Dong-Gook ![]() |
2004 Asian Cup
Group D
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 5 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | −8 | 0 |
Oman ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Al-Hosni ![]() |
Report | Karimi ![]() Nosrati ![]() |
Quarter-finals
South Korea ![]() | 3–4 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Seol Ki-Hyeon ![]() Lee Dong-Gook ![]() Kim Nam-Il ![]() |
Report | Karimi ![]() Park Jin-Seop ![]() |
Semi-finals
2007 Asian Cup
Group C
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 2 | +7 | 6 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 4 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | −11 | 0 |
China PR ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Shao Jiayi ![]() Mao Jianqing ![]() |
Report | Zandi ![]() Nekounam ![]() |
Quarter-finals
2011 Asian Cup
Group D
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 1 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 1 |
11 January 2011 | ||
Iraq ![]() | 1–2 | ![]() |
15 January 2011 | ||
Iran ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
19 January 2011 | ||
United Arab Emirates ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() |
Quarter-finals
Iran ![]() | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report | Yoon Bit-Garam ![]() |
2015 Asian Cup
Group C
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 3 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 0 |
11 January 2015 | |||
Iran ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
15 January 2015 | |||
Qatar ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Stadium Australia, Sydney |
19 January 2015 | |||
Iran ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Brisbane Stadium, Brisbane |
Quarter-finals
Iran ![]() | 3–3 (a.e.t.) | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Azmoun ![]() Pouraliganji ![]() Ghoochannejhad ![]() |
Report | Yasin ![]() Mahmoud ![]() Ismail ![]() |
Penalties | ||
Hajsafi ![]() Pouraliganji ![]() Nekounam ![]() Hosseini ![]() Ghafouri ![]() Jahanbakhsh ![]() Teymourian ![]() Amiri ![]() |
6–7 | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
With the third strait defeats 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.
2019 Asian Cup
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 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 7 | Advance to knockout stage |
2 | ![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 7 | |
3 | ![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 3 | |
4 | ![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | −10 | 0 |
References
- http://www.worldfootball.net/schedule/asian-cup-1968-iran/
- https://thesefootballtimes.co/2019/01/04/how-the-1992-asian-cup-awoke-japanese-football-the-continents-sleeping-giant/
- http://www.persianfootball.com/forums/showthread.php?120159-1992-Asian-Championship-Campaign
- http://www.sportstats.com/soccer/asia/asian-cup-1992/japan-iran-GhRw4jc4/
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/23/asian-cup-iran-iraq-match-report
- https://financialtribune.com/articles/sports/85769/daei-confident-iran-will-win-afc-asian-cup-title