Iran–Iraq football rivalry explained

Iran–Iraq rivalry
Other Names:Iran vs Iraq
City Or Region:Asia (AFC)
First Contested:1 June 1962
Teams Involved:
Most Wins:Iran (18)
Mostrecent:Iran 1–0 Iraq

Top Scorer: Ali Daei (4)
Total:31
Largestvictory:Iran 4–0 Iraq

The Iran and Iraq national football teams are sporting rivals since 1962.[1] [2] [3]

According to The Malay Mail, "Emotions are always high when Iran and Iraq meet on the football pitch".[4]

The most recent match between the two teams was in World Cup qualifier on 27 January 2022 hosted in Iran, where Iran won the game by 1–0.

Origins

The rivalry is not such a football-inspired ill-feeling between the two, but more of geography and history.[5] Iran and Iraq are neighboring countries, that share a long history. In the contemporary era, especially during the reign of Saddam Hussein, the two countries had bad relations.[2] [3]

In 2001, an Iran-Iraq match was not held at a neutral venue for the first time in decades.[3]

Major tournament matches

1972 AFC Asian Cup----1976 AFC Asian Cup----1994 FIFA World Cup qualification----1996 AFC Asian Cup----2000 AFC Asian Cup----2002 FIFA World Cup qualification----2002 FIFA World Cup qualification----2011 AFC Asian Cup----2015 AFC Asian Cup----2019 AFC Asian Cup----2022 FIFA World Cup qualification----2022 FIFA World Cup qualification----2022 FIFA World Cup qualification----2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Matches

Source:[6] [7]

Date Competition Home team Score Away team Goals (home)Goals (away)Venue
11 June 1962Friendlybgcolor=grey align=center1–1 Amjadieh Stadium, Tehran
23 June 1962Friendlybgcolor=#008000 align=center1–2 Amjadieh Stadium, Tehran
32 January 19641964 Olympic qualification[8] bgcolor=white align=center4–0Shirzadegan ; Arab ; Amjadieh Stadium, Tehran
422 March 1964bgcolor=#808080 align=center0–0 Al-Kashafa Stadium, Baghdad
57 March 19691969 Friendship Cupbgcolor=white align=center2–1 Amjadieh Stadium, Tehran
69 May 19721972 Asian Cupbgcolor=white align=center3–0 National Stadium, Bangkok
713 September 19741974 Asian Gamesbgcolor=white align=center1–0 Aryamehr Stadium, Tehran
824 August 19751976 Olympic qualification[9] bgcolor=white align=center1–0 Aryamehr Stadium, Tehran
94 June 19761976 Asian Cupbgcolor=white align=center2–0 Aryamehr Stadium, Tehran
105 November 19891989 Peace and Friendship Cupbgcolor=grey align=center0–0 Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, Kuwait City
1122 October 19931994 World Cup qualificationbgcolor=#008000 align=center1–2 Khalifa Stadium, Doha
125 December 19961996 Asian Cupbgcolor=#008000 align=center1–2 Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
1318 October 20002000 Asian Cupbgcolor=white align=center1–0 Saida Stadium, Sidon
147 September 20012002 World Cup qualificationbgcolor=white align=center1–2 Al-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad
1512 October 20012–1 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
165 September 20022002 WAFF Championshipbgcolor=grey align=center0–0 [10] Abbasiyyin Stadium, Damascus
1713 August 20032003 LG Cupbgcolor=#008000 align=center0–1 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
1823 June 20042004 WAFF Championshipbgcolor=white align=center2–1 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
194 October 20062006 LG Cup bgcolor=white align=center2–0 International Stadium, Amman
2016 June 20072007 WAFF Championship[11] bgcolor=grey align=center0–0 International Stadium, Amman
2124 June 2007bgcolor=white align=center2–1 International Stadium, Amman
221 October 20102010 WAFF Championshipbgcolor=white align=center2–1 King Abdullah Stadium, Amman
2311 January 20112011 Asian Cupbgcolor=white align=center1–2 Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, Doha
244 January 2015 Friendly [12] bgcolor=white align=center0–1 Wollongong Showground, New South Wales
2523 January 20152015 Asian Cupbgcolor=grey align=center3–3 [13] Canberra Stadium, Canberra
2618 March 2017Friendly[14] bgcolor=#008000 align=center0–1 Azadi Stadium, Tehran
2716 January 20192019 Asian Cupbgcolor=grey align=center0–0 Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
2814 November 20192022 World Cup qualification bgcolor=#008000 align=center2–1 Amman International Stadium, Amman
2915 June 2021bgcolor=white align=center1–0 Al Muharraq Stadium, Arad
307 September 20212022 World Cup qualificationbgcolor=white align=center0–3 Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
3127 January 2022bgcolor=white align=center1–0 Azadi Stadium, Tehran

Statistics

Overall

Iran 18 wins
Iraq 6 wins
Draws 7 draws

Top scorers

Rank Player Goals
14
align=center rowspan="3"23
3
3
3Various players 2

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2015-01-22 . Iran and Iraq set for QF showdown . 2024-04-20 . ESPN.com . en.
  2. Web site: James . Montague. Pitch Warfare: Iran face Iraq in soccer grudge match. CNN. January 13, 2011 . November 21, 2014.
  3. News: November 5, 2014. Iran-Iraq classic rivalry. Iran Daily. 11. 4924.
  4. Web site: Montague . James . January 22, 2015 . Iran vs Iraq: Quarter-final clash reignites decades-old rivalry . January 22, 2015 . The Malay Mail.
  5. Web site: Duerden . John . Asia awaits neighbourly rivalry . November 22, 2014 . ESPN.
  6. Web site: Iran – International Matches. . 7 August 2014. November 21, 2014. Majeed . Panahi .
  7. Web site: Iraq – List of International Matches. . 21 January 2011. November 21, 2014. Barrie . Courtney .
  8. Not a full FIFA international
  9. Not a full FIFA international
  10. Iraq won on penalties.
  11. Iran competed in the tournament with its B team squad.
  12. Not a full FIFA international
  13. Iraq won on penalties.
  14. Played behind closed-doors.

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