47 years have passed since Team Melli, as the Iranian football team is often known, last lifted the AFC Asian Cup trophy in 1976. Despite their persistent efforts in subsequent editions, the elusive fourth title remains just out of reach.
Iran proudly hosted and won its first continental cup in 1968, followed by another triumph in Thailand in 1972, before securing their third consecutive title during the 1976 tournament on their home soil.
The 1976 edition featured six teams, with Iran placed in the second group along with Iraq and South Yemen (what is now known as Yemen), while the first group brought together Kuwait, China, and Malaysia.
On this day in 1976, Iran claimed their third straight AFC Asian Cup title after a 1-0 win against Kuwait in front of 100k fans at the Azadi Stadium!
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) June 13, 2019
Group Stage
-
June 4: Iran vs. Iraq (2-0).
Goalscorers: Nasser Nooraei (45), Hassan Roshan (58).
-
June 8: Iran vs. South Yemen (8-0).
Goals by: Ali Parvin (17,73), Nasser Nooraei (40,42), Ali Reza Vazizi (45), Gholam Hossein Mazloomi (63,74,80).
Iran's 8-0 victory over South Yemen in 1976 is the biggest victory in the history of the Asian Cup.
More about Asian cup 👉
— The Football Stats (@theFBstats) January 7, 2019
Semi-final
-
June 11: Iran vs. China (2-0).
Goals by: Ali Reza Khorshidi (100), Hassan Roshan (119).
Final
-
June 13: Iran vs. Kuwait (1-0).
Goal by: Ali Parvin (71).
Parviz Ghelichkhani receives the Asian Cup in front of 102,000 fans at the Aryamehr, Tehran as Iran win their 3rd consecutive title in 1976 beating Kuwait 1-0 courtesy of Ali Parvin's deadball winner after 71 minutes. It was a golden era for The Cheetahs – Argentina beckoned.
— Fussball Geekz (@fussballgeekz) July 13, 2021
Iran's past performances have varied, taking third place five times, fourth place once, fifth four times, and sixth once, with an unfortunate group stage exit in Japan in 1992.
Porto forward Mehdi Taremi and his teammates are keen to break the curse and claim the fourth title during the next finals in Qatar.
Iran Matches in Group C of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup
Iran finds itself in Group C alongside Palestine, UAE, and Hong Kong.
- January 14: Iran vs. Palestine (Education City Stadium).
- January 19: Hong Kong vs. Iran (Khalifa International Stadium).
- January 23: Iran vs. UAE (Education City Stadium).
