IR Iran FIFA World Cup
Iran's journey in the FIFA World Cup has been marked by moments of pride and determination. While their inaugural appearance dates back to 1978 in Argentina, it wasn't until 1998 that Iran began their campaign in the tournament's final stage. Despite not securing a Football World Cup victory to date, Iran has consistently showcased their footballing prowess and resilience on the global stage.
Throughout their Football World Cup campaigns, Iran has been represented by a cohort of talented players who have left a lasting impact on the team's performance. Icons like Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Ali Karimi, and Javad Nekounam have donned the Iranian jersey with pride, captivating audiences with their skill and dedication to the game.
In the realm of coaching, Carlos Queiroz stands out as a significant figure in Iran's recent Football World Cup history. His leadership from 2011 to 2019 saw the team through multiple FIFA World Cup qualifications and tournament appearances. Queiroz's strategic guidance and tactical expertise played a crucial role in shaping Iran into a competitive force on the international stage.
Ali Daei holds the distinction of being Iran's top goal scorer in FIFA World Cup tournaments, netting a total of four goals across the 1998 and 2006 editions. His clinical finishing and prolific scoring prowess have solidified his status as one of Iran's footballing legends.
Iran qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 1–0 victory over Iraq. However, Iranian women were barred from attending World Cup qualifiers, and a friendly against Canada was canceled due to criticism over Iran's government actions, including the downing of Flight 752. Despite being the top-ranked Asian team, calls to ban Iran from the World Cup arose due to government controversies. Iran's campaign began disastrously with a 2–6 loss to England, with the team making headlines for refusing to sing the national anthem in solidarity with protests, leading to mixed reactions from supporters.