Nickname(s) | Iranian lionesses ("Shirzanan") Persian ladies | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) | ||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
Sub-confederation | CAFA (Central Asia) | ||
Head coach | Maryam Azmoon | ||
Captain | Zahra Ghanbari | ||
Most caps | Sara Ghomi (34) | ||
Top scorer | Zahra Ghanbari (13) [1] | ||
Home stadium | Ararat Stadium | ||
FIFA code | IRN | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 61 2 (15 March 2024) [2] | ||
Highest | 48 (September 2008 – March 2009) | ||
Lowest | 72 (June – August 2021) | ||
First international | |||
Iran 5–0 Syria (Amman, Jordan; 23 September 2005) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Iran 13–0 Syria (Amman, Jordan; 3 September 2007) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Thailand 8–1 Iran (Bangkok, Thailand; 8 July 2009) China 7–0 Iran (Mumbai, India; 23 January 2022) | |||
Asian Cup | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2022 ) | ||
Best result | Group stage (2022) | ||
CAFA Championship | |||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2018 ) | ||
Best result | Runners-up (2018, 2022) | ||
The Iran women's national football team, nicknamed the Lionesses, represents Iran in international women's football around the world, and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI). The Iran women's team played its first international match in September 2005 against Syria.
The first Iranian women's national team was established by Taj Tehran Football Club. [3] [4] [5] The Iranian women's national team has a long history, with a women's Perspolis FC team dating back to 1976. [6] [7]
Refounded in 2005, the team reached second place at the 2005 West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship in Amman, Jordan held in September and October 2005.
In May 2006, the women's team hosted their first foreign visitors when a club from Berlin, Germany called BSV Al-Dersimspor played out a 2–2 draw in Ararat Stadium, Tehran.
The team won second place again at the 2007 and 2011 West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship. [8]
Iran were briefly banned by FIFA from international competition in 2011 for wearing hijabs. This caused Iran to forfeit its bid to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics. [9] [10] The ban was lifted in 2012. [11]
In 2015 there were reports that eight players on the team were males awaiting sex change operations. [12] [13]
On 27 December 2019, Zahra Khajavi broke the clean sheet record of Iranian football by not conceding any goal for 953 minutes. [14] [15] [16] Also, she, along with Alireza Biranvand, are known as the record holders of the longest hand throws in Iranian football. [17] As one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Iranian football, Khajavi was able to once again draw the attention of the domestic media to the Iranian women's national football team. Her achievements played a key role in the progress of the women's national football team in these years. [17]
In the 2020s, women's football became more popular among young Iranians, both boys and girls. [18]
Iran qualified for their first ever AFC Women's Asian Cup when they won against Jordan on penalties in the qualifiers for the 2022 edition to be hosted in India. [19] In Iran's historic debut, Iran impressed by holding India goalless, but following India's withdrawal due to COVID-19 pandemic, Iran's only point was lost, and thus Iran was left vulnerable to China and Chinese Taipei, losing 0–7 and 0–5 in process and was eliminated as the worst third-placed team.
In 2023, a report on BBC Persian reported the lack of facilities and friendly matches for the team. This report mentioned the "unwillingness" of the Iranian Football Federation to have a women's team. [20] In the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Maryam Azmoun's team had one draw and two defeats (in second round of the tournament), although their slight loss against powerful Australia was predictable for the fans. [21] [22] [23]
The Iran women's national football team have been known or nicknamed as the "Iranian Lionesses" (in Persian: Shirzanan). [24] The Iran women's national football team is widely nicknamed the Persian stars since 2010. "Parsi women" or Persian ladies are another nicknames of the team in Asian football. [24]
In the decades after 1979, the media coverage of women's football in Iran had problems, but the matches of the women's national team are usually followed by Iranian men and women in the national and foreign media. [18]
Persian-language documentaries and sports programs are made about the team's winning potential and history. [18]
The table below shows the history of kit supplier for the Iranian national football team.
Kit supplier | Period | Notes |
---|---|---|
Uhlsport | 2019–2022 | |
Merooj | 2022–present | [25] |
Iran plays their home matches on the Ararat Stadium.
[ relevant? ]
On 9 November 2018 Fatma Samoura, Secretary General of International Federation of Football Association FIFA said she would ask Iranian government to end ban on women’s entry to sport stadiums. [26]
In September 2019 it was reported that Iranian female football star Sahar Khodayari, dubbed the "blue girl", died after self-immolating in front of a court in Tehran when she found out she could face a two year sentence for attempting to enter a football stadium to watch her team play. [27]
The following is a list of matches in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Lose Fixture
14 July Unofficial Friendly | Russia | 4–0 | Iran | Kazan, Russia |
16:30 UTC+3 |
| Report | Stadium: Central Stadium |
26 October 2024 AFC Olympic Qualifiers Round 2 | Australia | 2–0 | Iran | Perth, Australia |
19:00 UTC+8 | Stadium: Perth Rectangular Stadium |
29 October 2024 AFC Olympic Qualifiers Round 2 | Iran | 0–0 | Chinese Taipei | Perth, Australia |
18:10 UTC+8 | Stadium: Perth Stadium |
1 November 2024 AFC Olympic Qualifiers Round 2 | Philippines | 1–0 | Iran | Perth, Australia |
15:50 UTC+8 | Annis 19' | Report | Stadium: Perth Rectangular Stadium Attendance: 3,111 Referee: Yu Hong (China) |
30 May Friendly | Iran | 0–3 | Belarus | Tehran, Iran |
16:30 UTC+3:30 |
| Stadium: Ararat Stadium |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Confederation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | AFC |
Bangladesh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | +12 | AFC |
Bahrain | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | AFC |
Bangladesh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | +12 | AFC |
Belarus | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | −7 | UEFA |
China | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | −7 | AFC |
Chinese Taipei | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 12 | −8 | AFC |
Hong Kong | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | AFC |
India | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | AFC |
Jordan | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 15 | +1 | AFC |
Kyrgyzstan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | AFC |
Laos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | AFC |
Lebanon | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | +18 | AFC |
Myanmar | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | AFC |
Nepal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | −3 | AFC |
Palestine | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | +20 | AFC |
Philippines | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | −8 | AFC |
Russia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 | UEFA |
Singapore | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | AFC |
Syria | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 1 | +33 | AFC |
Thailand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 16 | −14 | AFC |
Tajikistan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | AFC |
Turkmenistan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | AFC |
United Arab Emirates | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | AFC |
Ukraine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | UEFA |
Uzbekistan | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 17 | −15 | AFC |
Vietnam | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 13 | −11 | AFC |
Total | 71 | 29 | 9 | 33 | 160 | 128 | +32 |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2020) |
Position | Name | Ref. |
---|---|---|
Head coach | Maryam Azmoon | |
Assistant coach | ||
Technical manager | Akbar Mohammadi | |
Supervisor | Fatemeh Alipour |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2021) |
The following 22 players were called up for the 2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament#Second round. [31]
Caps correct as of 12 January 2022.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Zahra Khajavi | 8 February 1999 | 12 | 0 | Bam Khatoon F.C. | |
GK | Mina Nafeei | 28 February 1999 | ? | ? | Sepahan Isfahan | |
GK | Raha Yazdani | 22 June 1987 | 2 | 0 | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
DF | Zeinab Abbaspour | 24 June 2003 | 3 | 0 | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
DF | Fatemeh Amineh Borazjani | 3 June 1997 | 19 | 0 | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
DF | Hadis Basat Shir | 13 September 1997 | 6 | 0 | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
DF | Fatemeh Shaban | 4 November 2002 | 11 | 2 | Zare Batri Sanandaj | |
DF | Behnaz Taherkhani | 22 May 1995 | 20 | 3 | Bam Khatoon F.C | |
DF | Sepideh Nozhati | 28 November 1998 | 0 | 0 | Malavan Anzali | |
19 | MF | Fatemeh Adeli | 16 July 1995 | 22 | 0 | Sepahan |
MF | Shabnam Behesht | 30 December 1998 | 12 | 1 | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
MF | Hasti Foroozandeh | 4 April 1999 | ? | ? | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
MF | Zahra Ghanbari (captain) | 4 March 1992 | 21 | 16 | Bam Khatoon F.C | |
MF | Mona Hamoudi | 11 November 1993 | 5 | 2 | Bam Khatoon F.C | |
MF | Golnoosh Khosravi | 12 May 2001 | 5 | 1 | Vachan Kurdistan | |
MF | Fatemeh Makhdoumi | 14 February 2001 | 9 | 1 | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
MF | Melika Mohammadi | 28 March 2000 | 9 | 0 | Bam Khatoon F.C | |
MF | Zahra Sarbali | 13 August 1993 | 8 | 0 | Bam Khatoon F.C | |
MF | Mohadeseh Zolfi | 16 January 2005 | 5 | 1 | Peykan Alborz | |
FW | Samaneh Chahkandi | 28 March 1989 | 20 | 4 | Bam Khatoon F.C | |
FW | Afsaneh Chatrenoor | 14 April 1998 | 18 | 4 | Shahrdari Sirjan | |
FW | Negin Zandi | 20 January 2004 | 7 | 1 | Bam Khatoon F.C |
The following players have been called up to the squad in the past year.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Samira Mohammadi | 14 June 1992 | 0 | 0 | Malavan Anzali | v. Myanmar, 8 April 2023 |
MF | Asma Nazari Pakdel | 28 October 2000 | 0 | 0 | Badrood Tehran | v. Myanmar, 8 April 2023 |
MF | Sahar Ramezani | 24 February 1993 | 0 | 0 | Palayesh Gaz Ilam | v. Myanmar, 8 April 2023 |
MF | Shaghayegh Rouzbahan | 6 December 1994 | 11 | 1 | Sepahan | v. Myanmar, 8 April 2023 |
MF | Sana Sadeghi | 12 June 2000 | 13 | 0 | Sepahan | v. Myanmar, 8 April 2023 |
FW | Hajar Dabbaghi | 22 March 1999 | 20 | 6 | Gokulam Kerala | v. Myanmar, 8 April 2023 |
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Parisa Geravandi [32] | 26 January 1996 | 0 | 0 | Ataşehir Belediyespor | |
GK | Maryam Yektaei [33] | 19 June 1993 | 6 | 0 | Vavacars Fatih Karagumruk | |
DF | Faezeh Esfahanian [34] | 18 December 1998 | 0 | 0 | Ataşehir Belediyespor | |
DF | Sara Valad Khani [35] | 14 August 1999 | 0 | 0 | FC Bergedorf 85 | |
MF | Hananeh Aminghashghay [36] | 14 July 2003 | 0 | 0 | Altay | |
MF | Masha Mehri [37] | 1 January 1986 | 0 | 0 | Union Kleinmünchen 1c | |
MF | Yasaman Farmani | 12 February 1995 | 6 | 0 | Free Agent | |
MF | Kimya Raietparvar Taloukie [38] | 28 November 1998 | 0 | 0 | Dallas Texans | |
MF | Vida Raietparvar Taloukie [39] | 0 | 0 | Dallas Texans | ||
MF | Annahita Zamanian | 19 February 1998 | 0 | 0 | Sassuolo | |
FW | Hajar Dabbaghi | 22 March 1999 | 20 | 6 | Gokulam Kerala | |
FW | Shiva Alicia Fannipour [40] | 28 October 1998 | 0 | 0 | FC Bergedorf 85 | |
FW | Fatemeh Ghasemi [41] | 14 February 2001 | 3 | 2 | Ataşehir Belediyespor | |
FW | Hadis Roustareh [42] | 13 August 2003 | 0 | 0 | ? | |
FW | Dajan Hashemi [43] | 21 November 2000 | 4 | 0 | Brøndby IF |
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DF | Sara Doorsoun | 17 November 1991 | - | - | Eintracht Frankfurt | |
FW | Natasha Shirazi [44] | 8 February 1996 | - | - | KF Tirana |
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2021) |
FIFA Women's World Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Position | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
1991 to 2007 | did not enter | ||||||||
2011 | did not qualify | ||||||||
2015 | |||||||||
2019 | |||||||||
2023 | |||||||||
2027 | to be determined | ||||||||
Total | 0/9 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Summer Olympics record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
1996 to 2008 | did not enter | |||||||
2012 | did not qualify | |||||||
2016 | ||||||||
2020 | ||||||||
2024 | ||||||||
2028 | To be determined | |||||||
2032 | ||||||||
Total | 0/7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
AFC Women's Asian Cup record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
1975 to 2008 | did not enter | |||||||
2010 | did not qualify | |||||||
2014 | ||||||||
2018 | ||||||||
2022 | Group stage | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | −12 |
Total | 1/19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | −12 |
Asian Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
1990 to 2022 | did not enter | |||||||
2026 | to be determined | |||||||
2030 | ||||||||
2034 | ||||||||
Total | 0/8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
WAFF Women's Championship record | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GS | GA |
2005 | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 2 |
2007 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 2 |
2010 | Group stage | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
2011 | Runners-up | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 7 |
2014 | did not enter | ||||||
2019–onward | Not WAFF member | ||||||
Total | 4/7 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 58 | 16 |
Malavan F.C. participated at the 2010.
CAFA Women's Championship record | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GS | GA |
2018 | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 3 |
2022 | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
Total | 2/2 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 4 |
Iran U-23 team participated at the 2018.
Best Ranking Best Mover Worst Ranking Worst Mover
Iran's FIFA World Ranking History | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Year | Games Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Best | Worst | ||
Rank | Move | Rank | Move | ||||||
61 2 (15 March 2024) [2] | 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 70 | 0 | 70 | 0 |
70 | 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 0 | 70 | 0 |
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