Football is the most popular sport in Iran, with wrestling and volleyball as close contenders. Football has been a part of life for Iranians for many decades now and is played in schools, streets, and football clubs nationwide.
Zob Ahan Esfahan Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Fuladshahr, Iran. It competes in the Persian Gulf Pro League. The team is sponsored by the Isfahan Steel Company, which also goes by the name Zob Ahan. The club's main rival is fellow Isfahani team Sepahan, which is sponsored by the rival steel mill Mobarakeh Steel Company.
Bargh Shiraz Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Shiraz, Iran.موسسه فرهنگى ورزشى برق شيراز The club is currently in the Iran Football's 3rd Division after they were relegated from Iran Football's 2nd Division due to financial problems. Its main sponsor is the municipal electrical company.
Paykan Football Club is a football team based in Tehran, Iran. The team is sponsored by Iran's main automobile manufacturer Iran Khodro and is named after one of its older products; the Paykan car. Paykan F.C. is the football club of the multisport Paykan Sport Club which also includes basketball and volleyball teams.
Mehrzad Madanchi Ardekani is an Iranian former football midfielder who last played for Fajr Sepasi.
Iranian football's 2nd division is the third-highest football division overall in the Iranian football league system. Before 2001, the 2nd division league was the second-highest division in the national football league system. However, it was changed to third-highest division when Iran's football structure officially became professional.
Fajr Shahid Sepasi Shiraz Football Club, commonly known as Fajr Sepasi Shiraz, or Fajr Sepasi, is an Iranian football club based in Shiraz, Fars, that competes in the Azadegan League. The club was founded in 1988.
The 2007–08 Persian Gulf Cup was the 25th season of Iran's Football League and seventh season of Iran Pro League since its establishment in 2001. Saipa were the defending champions. The season featured 13 teams from the 2006–07 Persian Gulf Cup and three new teams promoted from the 2006–07 Azadegan League: Shirin Faraz as champions, Pegah and Sanat Naft. PAS Hamedan replaced PAS Tehran. The league started on 16 August 2007 and ended on 17 May 2008. Persepolis won the Pro League title for the first time in their history.
Aluminium Arak Football Club, commonly known as Aluminium Arak, is an Iranian football club based in Arak, Markazi, that competes in the Persian Gulf Pro League. The club was founded as PAS Arak Football Club in 2001. The club is part of Aluminium Arak Sport and Cultural Club.
Shahin Lian Shahrdari Bushehr Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Bushehr, Iran. They are one of the most historical football clubs in Iran and hold home games at Shahid Mahdavi Stadium.
Machine Sazi Tabriz Football Club more commonly known as Machine Sazi was an Iranian professional football club based in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan, Iran competing in the Azadegan League.
Gholamreza Rezaei is a retired Iranian football player who last played for Sepidrood as a forward in the Iran Pro League.
Sanat Naft Abadan Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Abadan, Iran. They currently play in the Azadegan League after being relegated from the Persian Gulf Pro League in the 2023–2024 season. The team is sponsored by Iran's national petroleum industry and is part of the sports club Sanat Naft Athletic Club. Sanat Naft has a reserve team, Sanat Naft Novin who currently compete in the 2nd Division.
Rayka Babol Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Babol, Mazandaran.
2015–16 Iran Football's 2nd Division was the 15th under 2nd Division since its establishment in 2001. The season featured 25 teams from the 2nd Division 2014–15, seven new teams relegated from the 2014–15 Azadegan League: Tarbiat Novin, Naft Gachsaran, Niroo Zamini, Etka Gorgan, Sh. Bandar Abbas, Rahian Kermanshah, Esteghlal Ahvaz and four new teams promoted from the 3rd Division 2014–15: Moghavemat Tehran, Kara Shiraz, Shahrdari Mahshahr, Rahpouyan Rezvanshahr.
Dariush Shojaeian is an Iranian professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Persian Gulf Pro League club Havadar Since 2021.
The 2015–16 Hazfi Cup was the 29th season of the Iranian football knockout competition. Zob Ahan Isfahan was the defending champion. The competition started on 27 August 2015 and the final was played on 29 May 2016.
Zob Ahan won the tournament for the second time in a row after defeating Esteghlal in the final.
The 2016–17 Iran Football's 2nd Division season is the 16th under 2nd Division since its establishment in 2001. The season featured 25 teams from the 2nd Division 2015–16, five new teams relegated from the 2015–16 Azadegan League: Aluminium Hormozgan, Damash, Giti Pasand, Shahrdari Ardabil, PAS Hamedan and six new teams promoted from the 3rd Division 2015–16: Shahrdari Fuman, Shahrdari Hamedan, Shahrdari Arak, Qashqai Shiraz, Shahin Mahshahr, Shahid Karimi Jooybar.
The 2016–17 Hazfi Cup was the 30th season of the Iranian football knockout competition. Zob Ahan Isfahan, the defending champions, were eliminated by Tractor Sazi in the semi-final in extra time. The competition started on 12 September 2016, and the final was played on 11 May 2017. Naft Tehran defeated Tractor Sazi in the final, earning their first title.
The 1995–96 season was the Esteghlal Football Club's 4th season in the Azadegan League, and their 2nd consecutive season in the top division of Iranian football. They are also competing in the Hazfi Cup and Asian Club Championship, and 51st year in existence as a football club.
