Iran — last major trophy
Time since last trophy
Iran won as hosts for a third straight Asian Cup title (1968, 1972, 1976), a run of dominance unmatched until Japan and Qatar's more recent eras. They have not won it since, despite remaining a regular contender.
Iran is one of the most successful nations in Asian Cup history, winning three consecutive titles — 1968, 1972, and 1976, all as hosts — a run of dominance not matched again until Japan and Qatar's more recent eras. That golden generation established Iran as the dominant force in Asian football through the 1970s, though the team has not added a fourth Asian Cup title since 1976, despite reaching the final again in 1988 and remaining a near-constant qualifier for the tournament. Iran's most celebrated individual player, Ali Daei, once held the record for most international goals scored by any male player in football history, a mark that stood for years until being surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo. Iran has also been a regular World Cup qualifier from Asia in the 2000s and 2010s, though the team has never advanced past the group stage at the tournament.
| Competition | Titles won |
|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 0 |
| AFC Asian Cup | 3 |
| Year | Competition | Result | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | AFC Asian Cup | Won | As hosts |
| 1972 | AFC Asian Cup | Won | As hosts |
| 1976 | AFC Asian Cup | Won | 1-0 vs Kuwait, as hosts |
| 1988 | AFC Asian Cup | Runner-up | Lost to Saudi Arabia |
1976, their third consecutive title, all won as hosts.
Three: 1968, 1972, and 1976, all consecutive and all as hosts.
Iran's Ali Daei, with 109 international goals.
They have never advanced past the group stage, despite regular qualification.
