The Current Best Young Iranian Soccer Players

Iran has positioned itself as one of, if not the strongest soccer-playing nation in the Middle East. While the country may have its struggles, it has begun producing world-class players that are making their mark both at home and abroad.

They have become a force to be reckoned with, and thanks to a bright young crop of players, they are only going from strength to strength. 

Soccer in Iran

Iran has slowly grown into a strong footballing nation, even though they have been on the scene for a few decades now. While they have produced several world-class players in the past, it is only recently that they have begun to find success as a team.

With the Persian Gulf League proving to be a great place to build up young talent, it is only a matter of time before we see Iran not only featuring at international tournaments but progressing and succeeding. 

Omid Noorafkan

When you think of the best soccer players to come out of Iran, Omid Noorafkan may not be a name that comes to mind. However, the young defender and winger has been making waves in the Iranian league with his team Sepahan.

He has scored 10 goals in 77 appearances, and while he has only played 14 times for Iran, the 25-year-old still has a ton more to offer. 

Yadegar Rostami

Rostami is an 18-year-old currently playing for Pogon Szczecin II. He has quickly become famed for his ability to read the field and his opponents, spot passes, and make runs that put himself and his teammates into goalscoring positions.

While he hasn’t been called up to the national team yet, many are already comparing him to Phil Foden; very high praise if true, and it shows that he is on the path to serious success. 

Yasin Salmani

Another young player that is consistently showing off his talent in the Persian Gulf League is Yasin Salmani. The attacking midfielder plays alongside Noorafkan at Sepahan and is also currently part of the Iranian U23 side.

He has made 34 appearances for his club, scoring 7 goals in the process, and has also scored 9 goals while playing for the Iranian U17, U19, and U23 teams. 

Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh

Amirhossein has bucked the trend of many young Iranian players as he currently plays in Europe. Booting up for Belgian Pro League team Charleroi, the winger has scored 2 goals in 17 appearances since joining last year. 

2022 was also the year he was called up to the Iranian national team, and while he didn’t make Carlos Queiroz’s squad for the World Cup, he has set himself up to be integral to the Iranian team if they are to qualify for the next one. 

Saman Fallah

21-year-old Saman Fallah is another bright talent currently plying his trade in the Persian Gulf League for Paykan. While he hasn’t made the same impact as some of his counterparts on this list, he is slowly creeping up the ranks thanks to his great defending ability and man-management skills. 

While it is less of a surprise that he missed out on a place in the World Cup squad, many believe he is a player that simply needs a bit more time to find his feet, and when he does, he will flourish.

Mohammad Khodabandelou

Khodabandelou got his professional start in soccer at Paykan, where he made nearly 50 appearances, before moving on to Zob Ahan. He is currently Gol Gohar in the Persian Gulf League, having made 8 appearances and scoring 2 goals since joining last year. 

At both club and country levels, as he is currently part of the U23 team, Mohammad is viewed as a midfield anchor and a pivotal part of build-up play and defense. He also has exceptional legs, being able to get up and down the pitch for a full 90 minutes, barely breaking a sweat. 

Mohammad Mehdi Ahmadi

Ahmadi is another bright young star that many believe should have at least been called up to the Iranian World Cup team. He got his big break in professional soccer while playing for NAFT MIS, where he made over 50 appearances. 

He is known for being an incredibly versatile defender, with his positioning one of his greatest strengths. While he isn’t known for his goalscoring prowess in defense, he constantly looks like a player who has been at the top of his game for years. 

Allayar Sayyadmanesh

Sayyadmanesh is arguably the best young Iranian player in the sport right now. The 6-foot tall striker succeeded in the incredibly difficult task of getting signed by an English team, as he is currently on the books at Hull City. 

He has also played for Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, and although he didn’t get many games, his time there set him up for success. He has only made 7 appearances for the Tigers so far since joining, but the striker has proven to be strong in front of the net and exactly the type of player you want upfront.