Team Melli
| Nickname(s) |
Team Meli تیم ملی other nicknames |
|---|---|
| Association |
Football Federation of Iran (FFIRI) Fedrāsione Futbālle Irān |
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) |
| Sub-confederation | CAFA (Central Asia) |
| Head coach | Carlos Queiroz |
| Captain | Ehsan Hajsafi |
| Most caps | Javad Nekounam (151) |
| Top scorer | Ali Daei (109) |
| Home stadium | Azadi Stadium (78,116) |
| FIFA code | IRN |
| FIFA ranking | |
| Current | 28  (4 May 2017)
|
| Highest | 15 (August 2005) |
| Lowest | 122 (May 1996) |
| Elo ranking | |
| Current | 22 (30 April 2017) |
| Highest | 15 (May 2005) |
| Lowest | 73 (January 1964) |
| First international | |
 Afghanistan 0–0 Iran  (Kabul, Afghanistan; 25 August 1941) |
|
| Biggest win | |
 Iran 19–0 Guam  (Tabriz, Iran; 24 November 2000) |
|
| Biggest defeat | |
 Turkey 6–1 Iran (Istanbul, Turkey; 28 May 1950)  South Korea 5–0 Iran (Tokyo, Japan; 28 May 1958) |
|
| World Cup | |
| Appearances | 4 (first in 1978) |
| Best result | Group stage, 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014 |
| Asian Cup | |
| Appearances | 13 (first in 1968) |
| Best result | Champions, 1968, 1972 and 1976 |
The National football team of Iran (Persian: تیم ملی فوتبال ایران, Tīm-e Melli Fūtbāl-e Īrān), also known as Team Melli (Persian: تیم ملی Tīm-e Melli), represents Iran in international football competitions and is governed by the Iran Football Federation. The national football team of Iran, known as Team Melli, has been the best team in Asia in the last four years and is currently 28th strongest team in the world according to the latest FIFA World Rankings as of April 2017[update].
Iran is one of the most successful national teams in Asia with three Asian Cup championships (1968, 1972, and 1976). Iran has qualified for the World Cup four times (1978, 1998, 2006, and 2014) but has never advanced past the group stage. Iran's only win in the World Cup has been a 2–1 victory against the United States in 1998.
The Iranian Football Federation was founded in 1920. In 1926 Tehran XI (selected players from Tehran Club, Toofan F.C. and Armenian Sports Club) traveled across the border to Baku, USSR, this was the first away football match for an Iranian team. This Tehran Select team is the predecessor of Iran's national football team.
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