Iran football: table, Team Melli and clubs
The Iranian league table, the story of Team Melli, the great players and clubs, and the latest sport headlines.
Persian Gulf Pro League 2026–27
| # | Club | P | W | D | L | Goals | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Persepolis | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 18:5 | +13 | 20 |
| 2 | Sepahan | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 17:6 | +11 | 20 |
| 3 | Tractor | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 12:2 | +10 | 20 |
| 4 | Esteghlal | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 12:3 | +9 | 20 |
| 5 | Foolad | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 10:5 | +5 | 19 |
| 6 | Aluminium Arak | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 11:8 | +3 | 14 |
| 7 | Kheybar | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 13:11 | +2 | 14 |
| 8 | Fajr Sepasi | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10:12 | -2 | 14 |
| 9 | Gol Gohar | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10:9 | +1 | 13 |
| 10 | Chadormalou | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 9:13 | -4 | 13 |
| 11 | Nassaji | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 7:9 | -2 | 11 |
| 12 | Paykan | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7:10 | -3 | 10 |
| 13 | Malavan | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8:12 | -4 | 9 |
| 14 | Esteghlal Khuzestan | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7:14 | -7 | 9 |
| 15 | Zob Ahan | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 6:10 | -4 | 8 |
| 16 | Shams Azar | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 7:12 | -5 | 7 |
| 17 | Sanat Naft | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 5:15 | -10 | 7 |
| 18 | Mes Shahr-e Babak | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 6:19 | -13 | 5 |
Table taken automatically from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Team Melli
Iran’s national team is simply called “Team Melli” by its fans. It usually plays at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran and has been one of Asia’s strongest teams for decades.
- 3× Asian champions: 1968, 1972 and 1976 in a row
- 7 World Cup appearances: 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026
- 2:1 first World Cup win, against the USA in Lyon in 1998
- 108 international goals by Ali Daei, for years the world record
Legends
Ali Daei
Iran’s record scorer with 108 international goals. Played in the Bundesliga for Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha BSC.
Ali Karimi
The “Wizard of Asia”, Asian Footballer of the Year 2004, played for Bayern Munich from 2005 to 2007.
Mehdi Mahdavikia
Scored the 2–1 against the USA in 1998 and was a fan favourite at Hamburger SV for years.
Khodadad Azizi
His goal for 2–2 in Melbourne in 1997 against Australia took Iran to the 1998 World Cup, one of the most famous nights in Iranian football.
Javad Nekounam
Long-time Team Melli captain, played several years for CA Osasuna in Spain.
Mehdi Taremi
Striker who played big European games with FC Porto and Inter Milan; at the 2022 World Cup he scored twice against England.
Alireza Beiranvand
Goalkeeper who saved a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty at the 2018 World Cup, also known for his extremely long throws.
Sardar Azmoun
Goal scorer who played in Russia, for Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma, and is among the national team’s top scorers.
The big clubs
Persepolis
Tehran, founded 1963, red. Record champions of the Iranian league and twice AFC Champions League finalists (2018, 2020).
Esteghlal
Tehran, founded 1945, blue. Won the Asian Club Championship twice (1970, 1991).
Sepahan
Isfahan, founded 1953, yellow. Several-time champions and AFC Champions League finalists in 2007.
Tractor
Tabriz, founded 1970, red. Has one of the most passionate fan bases in the country.
Foolad
Ahvaz in Khuzestan, founded 1971. Champions in 2005 and 2014.
Zob Ahan
Isfahan, founded 1969, the steelworks club. AFC Champions League finalists in 2010.
The Tehran derby
The Tehran derby between Persepolis (red) and Esteghlal (blue) is called “Sorkhabi” (red-blue) in Persian. Played since 1968, usually at the Azadi Stadium in front of tens of thousands, it splits families, schools and offices into two camps. For many Iranians abroad it is the match of the year.
Sport headlines
- Pakistan Vs Iran - Volleyball Men's - Semi Final
- Khanlarkhani starts as head coach of Iran Para-Taekwondo team
- Iran runner-up at 2026 World Taekwondo Junior C’ships
- Iran crowned world champions in Greco-Roman wrestling
- 2026 Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships Results: Iran Dominates, Aslanyan Wins Gold, Armenia Finishes 10th
- Kalhor Wins second Bronze at 2022 World Taekwondo Championships
- Iran president congratulates Greco-Roman wrestling team on world championship victory
- Iran becomes champion of 2026 World Wrestling Championships