Foolad Khuzestan Football Club (, Bāshgāh-e Futbāl-e Fulād-e Khuzestān) is an Iranian professional football club based in Ahvaz, Khuzestan, that plays in Persian Gulf Pro League. The club was founded in 1971 and is owned by Foolad Khuzestan Company. Foolad is considered the best football club in Iran in every respect; it is also one of the most decorated clubs in the country, having ranked as the top Iranian team in Asia and globally for several years.
Foolad Khuzestan Football Club is considered the fourth-best club in the history of Iranian football, following Esteghlal, Persepolis, and Sepahan. Foolad secured its first Iranian league title in 2004 during the third season of the Persian Gulf Pro League.
Foolad ranks as the fourth most decorated club in Iran. Among the club's most significant achievements are two Persian Gulf Pro League titles (2004–05 and 2013–14 seasons), one Hazfi Cup title (2020–21), and two Iranian Super Cup titles (along with one runner-up finish). Additionally, the club has finished as the runner-up in the Hazfi Cup on two occasions, in 1993 and 1996. Among Foolad's other honors are nine provincial league titles, where Foolad Khuzestan secured nine separate trophies. The team has finished in third place in the league four times; additionally, their record includes six appearances in the AFC Champions League (Asia's top-tier club competition) and one appearance in the Asian Cup Winners' Cup (Asia's second-tier competition, during the 1994–95 season). Among Foolad's other honors are nine provincial league titles, where Foolad Khuzestan secured nine separate trophies. The team has finished in third place in the league four times; additionally, their record includes six appearances in the AFC Champions League (Asia's top-tier club competition) and one appearance in the Asian Cup Winners' Cup (Asia's second-tier competition, during the 1994–95 season).
Foolad is the most "European-style" football club in Iran, often referred to as the "paradise of Iranian football." The club’s modern organizational structure places it on par with the world’s top clubs. Furthermore, Foolad Arena stands as the finest and most modern stadium in Iran, and is recognized as one of the best and most beautiful stadiums in both Asia and the world. Foolad Khuzestan has consistently been regarded as a major, powerful force in Iranian and Asian football. It ranks among the most decorated clubs in Iran and stands at the forefront of the domestic scene in terms of facilities and organizational structure—a status it continues to maintain to this day. In 1405, Foolad was once again named the best football club in Iran, adding yet another honor to the club's long list of achievements. Foolad stands as a major powerhouse in Iranian football and is considered one of the country's four greatest and most decorated clubs. Foolad Khuzestan is the largest, most popular, most decorated, and best club in the history of football in Khuzestan and Southern Iran; it is recognized as the premier club in the region—boasting the most honors, the highest prestige, and the largest fan base—and is regarded as a central pillar of Iranian football. Among its other accolades, Foolad Khuzestan has been named the "Best Football Team of the Year" in Iran on several occasions.
The club has won Iran Pro League twice, as well as a championship in the lower division, Azadegan League. In the 2004–05 season, Foolad became the champion of the fourth newly founded Iran Pro League (IPL), gaining a total of 64 points over 30 league matches. After several seasons, Foolad lost many of its key players through transfers and internal problems and also displayed a poor performance in the 2006 AFC Champions League. The club was subsequently relegated to the Azadegan League, second highest division in Iran at the end of 2006–07. However, Foolad was able to return to the IPL starting from the next season, 2008–09 Iran Pro League. Foolad won its second championship in the 2013–14 season. The club also won their first Hazfi Cup title in the 2020–21 season.
To date, two Foolad players—Reza Norouzi and Chimba—have finished as the top scorers of the Iranian football Premier League. Foolad has reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League. Despite deserving a spot in the final, the team lost 1–0 to Al-Hilal in the Asian semi-finals.
Contents
Club history
Establishment and first years (1971–1995)
Foolad Khuzestan Football Club was founded on 2 March 1971 in Ahwaz, Iran by at that time, President of the Foolad Khuzestan Company Ali Akbar Davar. Foolad was a team that no one knew anything about until the dissolution of Jonoub Ahwaz in 1996. Foolad won the Ahwaz City Championship in 1991 and entered the 2nd division of the Khuzestan football league two years later. Foolad won the first group in its debut season and was promoted to the Ahwaz's first league which they won in their debut season as well. This meant they would be promoted to the Khuzestan Provincial Leagues.
Road to the Highest Division (1995–2001)
In 1995, which was Foolad's second year in the Khuzestan's Second Division, they became provincial champions. That same year Jonoub Ahvaz was contracted and Foolad took their place in Iran Football's 2nd Division. In 1996, with Homayoun Shahrokhinejad as manager, the team was promoted to the 1st division.
Frančić era (2004–2006)
The team was eventually bought by the Ahwaz Steel Mill. The team was finally able to win the IPL in the 2004–05 season but due to some ensuing internal problems and coaching difficulties could not perform well in the 2006 Asian Champions League.
ACL and relegation (2006–2007)
After a mediocre 2005–06, Foolad started the 2006–07 season with former Iranian national team coach Mohammad Mayeli Kohan, but he resigned halfway through the season as Foolad had achieved poor results. Youth club coach Nenad Nikolić temporarily replaced him and soon after Portuguese manager Augusto Inácio was named head coach. Foolad went through a terrible 2006–07 season finishing 15th and being relegated to the lower Azadegan League.
Return to First Division and Jalali years (2007–2012)
Foolad start the 2007–08 season at Azadegan League and won the playoff spot despite their strong leadership until the last weeks. In the playoff, they drew with Payam Mashhad in a two-leg matches and missed the promotion via away goal. A few weeks later they bought the right to play in Persian Gulf Cup from Sepahan Novin and promoted to IPL. Then Majid Jalali was announced as the club's head coach with signing a three years contract where they had an average season with ending the season in the 7th place.
On September 1, 2009, Seifollah Dehkordi was elected as the club's president after previous president Masoud Rezaeian resigned from his position. After the election of Dehkordi, Majid Jalali left the club despite good results. Luka Bonačić was named as Jalali's successor but he could not please the club as he was not able to win a single match in first eight weeks and the club decided to bring Majid Jalali back where they finished the league 10th. At the Jalali's final year as Foolad manager, the club ended the season at the 14th place, the worst since their promotion back to the league.
League success under Faraki (2012–2014)
After Jalali's contract was not renewed, Naft Tehran manager Hossein Faraki was named as the club's new head coach. He led Foolad to the 4th rank in his first season as the club's manager, gaining an AFC Champions League spot for the second time in the Foolad's history. In the 2013–14 Iran Pro League season, Faraki led the club to their second Iran Pro League title, his team finished with 57 points. They finished 2 points clear of second place Persepolis. Five days later, Foolad advanced to the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League for the first time after they defeated El-Jaish of Qatar. Foolad lost to Al Sadd on away goals.
On 23 May 2014, Faraki resigned as the manager of the club, due to knee problems, despite two good seasons with Foolad. Dragan Skočić was named as his successor.
Reserve team
Foolad Novin is the reserve side of Foolad. In 2014 they were promoted to the Azadegan League for the second time in their history. Foolad Yazd is not Foolad's reserve team, but is a feeder club, they also compete in the Azadegan League.
Youth academy
In April 1999, Foolad formed a youth academy.
Kit
The name and symbol of the club adapted from its founder and owner company, Foolad. Its symbol means that is related to steel production process. The club's logo repeatedly changed but the overall layout is preserved. After Foolad's league title in 2006, club added a golden star above the team logo etched into the club's shirt, but this was not accepted by the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation. So there is not any star on the club's official logo.
Foolad began playing in red, yellow and black, but then changed the yellow to white since 1999. The kit has been made by Nike until 2002. Then Merooj and Daei Sport were the club's kit manufacturers. Uhlsport is the current kit manufacturers, made the kits from past four years. The club currently doesn't have any official sponsor as the club's company name is inserted on the shirts.
– Tefal was the sponsor of the team in only some matches not full season.
Rivals
The team competes in Ahvaz derby against Esteghlal Khuzestan which is a new born club. The first time the teams met each other was in season 2013–14 which Esteghlal Khuzestan lost that game.
Players
First-team squad
As of 18 August 2026
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Notable players
Players on international cups
2026 FIFA World Cup
Ramin Rezaeian
Ali Nemati
Personnel
Current technical staff
Last updated: 2025
Source: Coaching staff
Management
Last updated: 2025 Dsamber 18
Source: Board of Directors
Recent seasons
The table below chronicles the achievements of Foolad in various competitions since 1990.
Stadium information
The club plays their home games at the newly built 30,655-seat Foolad Arena in northern Ahvaz since 2019. Before this, the club played originally at the Takhti Stadium until 2012 and Ghadir Stadium from 2012 until 2019.
Honours
Official Titles
Best Football Team of the Year in Iran:
2004–05
2013–14
Best Football Club in Iran:
Best Football Club in Iran 1405
Pro League
Champion: 2004–05
Champion: 2013–14
Runner-up: 1996–97
Third Place: 1993–94
Third Place: 2001–02
Third Place: 2003–04
Third Place: 2019–20
Iranian Hazfi Cup
Champion: 2020–21
Runner-up: 1993–94
Runner-up: 1996–97
Iranian Super Cup
Champion: 2021
The Super Cup final was not held in 2014, but the title was awarded
Runner-up (1): 2005
Provincial Leagues
Champion: 1960s–1970s
Champion: 1960s–1970s
Champion: 1960s–1970s
Champion: 1960s–1970s
Domestic
Persian Gulf Pro League:
Winners (2): 2004–05, 2013–14
Hazfi Cup:
Winners (1): 2020–21
Iranian Super Cup:
Winners (1): 2021
Records and statistics
All Top scorers
As of 31 May 2025