Football has a rich and storied history in Iran, dating back over a century. The sport was introduced to the country by British expatriates in the early 1900s and quickly gained popularity among the local population. The first official football club in Iran, "Iranian Football Club", was established in 1920 in Tehran. In the early years, football was primarily played by the elite and upper classes in Iran. However, as the sport grew in popularity, it began to spread to all levels of society. The establishment of the Iran Football Federation in 1920 helped to further organize and develop the sport in the country. One of the most significant moments in the history of Iranian football came in 1941, when the national team won the Tehran Football Tournament. This victory marked the beginning of Iran's success on the international stage. In the years that followed, Iran's national team continued to excel, winning numerous regional tournaments and qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 1978. Throughout the decades, football has played a crucial role in Iranian society, serving as a source of national pride and unity.
