Foolad F.C.

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Iranian football club

title: "Foolad F.C." type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["football-clubs-in-iran", "association-football-clubs-established-in-1971", "football-clubs-in-ahvaz", "1971-establishments-in-iran", "foolad-f.c.", "sport-in-ahvaz"] description: "Iranian football club" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foolad_F.C." license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Iranian football club ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox football club"]

FieldValue
clubnameFoolad
فولاد خوزستان
current2025–26 Persian Gulf Pro League
imageFoolad F.C. Logo.svg
image_size180px
fullnameFoolad Khuzestan Football Club
nicknameFoolad Mardaan (Men of Steel)
*Leopard of Khuzestan *
founded
groundFoolad Arena
capacity30,655
ownerFoolad Khuzestan Company
chairmanHamidreza Garshasbi
mgrtitleHead Coach
managerHamid Motahari
leaguePersian Gulf Pro League
season2024–25
positionPersian Gulf Pro League, 4th
website
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pattern_sh1_Foolad 1415h
pattern_so1_Foolad 1415h
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body1FF0000
rightarm1FF0000
shorts1FF0000
socks1FF0000
pattern_la2_Foolad 1415a
pattern_b2_Foolad 1415 away
pattern_ra2_Foolad 1415a
pattern_sh2_Foolad 1415a
pattern_so2_Foolad 1415a
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pattern_la3_Foolad 1415h
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socks3FFFFFF
::

| clubname = Foolad فولاد خوزستان | current = 2025–26 Persian Gulf Pro League | image = Foolad F.C. Logo.svg | image_size = 180px | fullname = Foolad Khuzestan Football Club | nickname = Foolad Mardaan (Men of Steel) *Leopard of Khuzestan * | shortname = | founded = | dissolved = | ground = Foolad Arena | capacity = 30,655 | owner = Foolad Khuzestan Company | chairman = Hamidreza Garshasbi | mgrtitle = Head Coach | manager = Hamid Motahari | league = Persian Gulf Pro League | season = 2024–25 | position = Persian Gulf Pro League, 4th | website = | pattern_la1 = _Foolad 1415h | pattern_b1 = _Foolad 1415 home | pattern_ra1 = _Foolad 1415h | pattern_sh1 = _Foolad 1415h | pattern_so1 = _Foolad 1415h | leftarm1 = FF0000 | body1 = FF0000 | rightarm1 = FF0000 | shorts1 = FF0000 | socks1 = FF0000 | pattern_la2 = _Foolad 1415a | pattern_b2 = _Foolad 1415 away | pattern_ra2 = _Foolad 1415a | pattern_sh2 = _Foolad 1415a | pattern_so2 = _Foolad 1415a | leftarm2 = 000000 | body2 = 000000 | rightarm2 = 000000 | shorts2 = 000000 | socks2 = 000000 | pattern_la3 = _Foolad 1415h | pattern_b3 = _Foolad 1415 third | pattern_ra3 = _Foolad 1415h | pattern_sh3 = _Foolad 1415t | pattern_so3 = _Foolad 1415h | leftarm3 = FFFFFF | body3 = FFFFFF | rightarm3 = FFFFFF | shorts3 = FFFFFF | socks3 = FFFFFF

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.

The club has won Iran Pro League twice, including 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 2013–14 season. The club also won their first Hazfi Cup title in the 2020–21 season.

Foolad's home kit is red and yellow shirts, with the same color for shorts, accompanied by red socks. The colors used in clothing are derived from the symbol of the club.

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)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Foolad_won_IPL_title_01.jpg" caption="IPL]] title in 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

Main article: Foolad Novin F.C.

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

Main article: Foolad Youth Academy

In April 1999, Foolad formed a youth academy.

Kit

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Afshin,Bakhtiar,Chimba.jpg" caption="2012–13 season"] ::

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.

::data[format=table]

YearsManufacturersSponsors
2001–02DaeiNone
2002–03
2003–04O'GENERAL
2004–05None
2005–06
2006–07Tefal*
2007–08None
2008–09Merooj
2009–10DaeiNone
2010–11
2011–12uhlsport
2012–13
2013–14KSC
2014–15
2015–16
2016–17
2017–18
2018–19
2019–20
2020–21MeroojTak Makaron
2021–22MeroojKSC
2022–23MeroojKSC
::
  • – 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

Out on loan

Notable players

Players on international cups

Korea Republic 2002 Asian Games

Personnel

Current technical staff

::data[format=table]

NamePosition
Head CoachIRN Hamid Motahari
Coach
Assistant coachesIRN Ahmad AlenemehIRN Reza NorouziIRN Mostafa Sadaqat
Goalkeeping coachesBRA Welesley Neneca
Athletic coach
Fitness coach
Team doctorIran Akbar Moradi
PhysiotherapistIran Payam Ahmadi
MasseursIran Behnam TaghizadehIran Iman Saeedi
Media officerIran Mohsen Qobaei
Team managerIran Hamidreza Garshasbi
::

Management

::data[format=table]

PositionStaff
PresidentHamidreza Garshasbi
Board of DirectorsMansour Ghanbarzadeh
Board of DirectorsMassoud Rezaian
Board of DirectorsMorteza Khakbazan
Board of DirectorsMehdi Amini
::

Recent seasons

The table below chronicles the achievements of Foolad in various competitions since 1990.

::data[format=table]

YearDivisionPositionHazfi CupACL
1990–91Ahwaz city league 11stNot helddid not qualify
1991–92Provincial league 37th
1992–93Provincial league 31st
1993–94Provincial league 21st
1994–95Provincial league 11st
1995–96Iran 2nd Division7th
1996–97Iran 2nd Division2rd
1997–98Azadegan League10th
1998–99Azadegan League7th
1999–00Azadegan League10th
2000–01Azadegan League8th1/8 Final
2001–02Pro League3rdQuarter-final
2002–03Pro League7th1/8 Final
2003–04Pro League3rd1/8 Final
2004–05Pro League1st1/16 Final
2005–06Pro League8th1/16 FinalGroup Stage
2006–07Pro League15th1/8 Finaldid not qualify
2007–08Azadegan League1stSemi-final
2008–09Pro League7thQuarter-final
2009–10Pro League10th1/16 Final
2010–11Pro League6thSemi-final
2011–12Pro League14thQuarter-final
2012–13Pro League4th1/16 Final
2013–14Pro League1stSemi-finalRound of 16
2014–15Pro League5thRound of 32Group Stage
2015–16Pro League12thRound of 16did not qualify
2016–17Pro League10thRound of 16
2017–18Pro League7thRound of 32
2018–19Pro League8thRound of 8
2019–20Pro League3rdRound of 32
2020–21Pro League6thChampionsGroup Stage
2021–22Pro League5thRound of 16Round of 16
2022–23Pro League7thRound of 16Quarter-final
::

Stadium information

Main article: Foolad Arena

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Foolad-Sepahan_20190315_05.jpg" caption="Foolad Arena"] ::

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

Domestic

Records and statistics

All Top scorers

As of 31 May 2025 ::data[format=table title=""]

#NameGoalsPosition
1Luciano Pereira76Forward
2Sasan Ansari50Forward
3Reza Norouzi36Forward
4Bakhtiar Rahmani30Midfielder
5Arash Afshin29Forward
6Iman Mobali26Midfielder
7Esmaeil Sharifat24Midfielder
8Behnam Seraj21Forward
9Ahmad Momenzadeh18Forward
10Ayanda Patosi18Midfielder
::

All Top Appearances

::data[format=table]

#NameAppsPosition
1Sasan Ansari414Forward
2Ayoub Vali253Defender
3Luciano Pereira224Forward
4Bakhtiar Rahmani209Midfielder
5Esmaeil Sharifat191Winger
6Ebrahim Mirzapour179Goalkeeper
7Mehrdad Jama'ati174Left back
8Abdollah Karami160Defender
9Ahmad Abdollahzadeh155Midfielder
10Mojtaba Najjarian154Defender
::

References

References

  1. "Team info – Foolad F.C. Khuzestan".
  2. (14 May 2013). "خبرگزاری مشرق". mashreghnews.ir.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

football-clubs-in-iranassociation-football-clubs-established-in-1971football-clubs-in-ahvaz1971-establishments-in-iranfoolad-f.c.sport-in-ahvaz