Early years (1969–1980) edit

Mohammad Ali Taghizadeh Farahmand established the club in 1969. They entered the Takht Jamshid Cup in 1973 and end season in the 10th place. They promoted to the quarterfinals of the Hazfi Cup in 1976. Their best results in Takht Jamshid Cup was earned in 1977–78 in the 8th place.

Azadegan League (1980–2001) edit

The team has participated in the highest division of the Iranian league system since 1973, except for the 1995 season when they played in the 2nd division. After Iranian Revolution in 1979, Takht Jamshid Cup was suspended due to Iran–Iraq War. After the end of the war, league began again in the title of Azadegan League. They were once again promoted to the 1st division the year after.

PGPL (2001–present) edit

Zob Ahan currently play in the IPL starting from 2001. The club's first honor, remains the winning of the Hazfi Cup in 2003, after defeating the Shiraz-based team Moghavemat Sepasi in the finals.^[3] This feat was repeated in the 2008–09 Hazfi Cup, when the club beat Rah Ahan to re-claim the title after 6 years.^[3] The club made its first appearance in the AFC Champions League in 2004, as the winners of the 2003 Hazfi Cup, but were eliminated in the group stages.

Having missed out on winning their first-ever domestic league title in the 2008–09 season, Zobahan were one of the title contenders once again in the 2009–10 season. However, at the end, they had to settle for second place once again after finishing six points behind their city rivals Sepahan. They also lost their grip on the Hazfi Cup after a shock 0–2 loss to a second-division side Gostaresh Foulad in the semi-finals.^[4]

2010 AFC Champion League edit

In the 2010 AFC Champions League Zob Ahan finished first on the group stage that included FC Bunyodkor, Al-Wahda and Al-Ittihad. By finishing first they qualified for the first time for the Knockout stages. On the Round of 16 they draw country neighbours Mes Kerman winning 1–0. The club then qualified to the quarter-finals and were drawn with title holders Pohang Steelers, Zob Ahan won 2–1 at home and draw 1–1 on Korea, knocking-out the title holders. Zob Ahan played against Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal which they won 1–0 at home, and won 1–0 on Saudi Arabia leading the club to an Asian Champions League final where they face Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. On 13 November, in the final Zob Ahan lost 1–3 to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. Zob Ahan couldn't be the champions on their 2nd Asian Champions League participation always being under-dogs. The following year the club made it to the quarter-finals but lost to Korean club Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Dark years edit

After the 2011 Champions League, a 6th place league finish in 2012 meant that the club failed to retain its spot in the Champions League. The following year, the club finished 14th in the league, narrowly avoiding relegation through a play-off. Fan attendance started to dip and Zob Ahan had another sub par year in the 2013–14 Iran Pro League season, finishing 13th, changing three managers during the course of the season and again narrowly avoiding relegation.

Resurrection under Golmohammadi and Hosseini edit

In summer of 2014 Zob Ahan announced Yahya Golmohammadi as the club's new manager. After a poor start to the season, Zob Ahan when on a six match unbeaten run which placed them 6th in week 23. On 5 December 2015 Zob Ahan defeated Persepolis 2–1 in the Hazfi Cup semi-final to advance to the final for the fourth time in club history. On 15 May 2015 after a 0–0 draw against Padideh, Zob Ahan finished fourth and returned to the AFC Champions League after five years. Zob Ahan also won their third Hazfi Cup title after defeating Naft Tehran 3–1 in the final.

On 23 February 2016 Zob Ahan won its first match AFC Champions League since 2011, defeating Lekhwiya of Qatar 1–0. Zob Ahan qualified for the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League on 20 April 2016 after defeating Saudi club Al Nassr 3–0 in match day 5. However, Zob Ahan were defeated 3–1 on aggregate by Emirati club Al Ain in the Round of 16. Zob Ahan once again qualified for the final of the 2016 Hazfi Cup to defend their crown against Esteghlal. Zob Ahan defeated Esteghlal in penalties and won the Hazfi Cup for the fourth time in the club's history. Zob Ahan won the Iranian Super Cup after beating Esteghlal Khuzestan 4–2 in extra time. This was the first trophy that Zob Ahan won in Foolad Shahr Stadium.

In the beginning of the 2016–17, after poor results, Golmohammadi was fired as manager of the team and was replaced by Assistant coach Mojtaba Hosseini. Hosseini led Zob Ahan to the semi-finals of the Hazfi Cup, where they lost to Tractor.

One of Zob Ahan's nicknames is Sabzpoushan ("The Greens", Persian: سبز پوشان), stemming from their traditional kit, which is predominantly green. From the foundation of the club, the common home kit includes a green shirt, black or white shorts, and white or yellow socks. White and black colours are also seen in the kit. The away kit of the club is commonly with a white background.

The home stadium of the club is Foolad Shahr Stadium located in Fooladshahr, Isfahan. The stadium had 20,000 capacity but was renovated to hold about 30,000 people in 2011. The stadium was built in 1998.

Zob Ahan is part of the Esfahan derby or Naghsh-e-Jahan derby. The Esfahan derby goes back to the 1970s, when Zob Ahan and Sepahan faced each other in Takht Jamshid Cup seasons (1974/75, 1975/76, 1976/77, 1977/78). Their rivalry resumed in the 1990s when they faced each other in Azadegan League seasons (1993/94, 1996/97, 1997/98) and from then on the two met each other twice a year.

As of 28 February 2024

First-team squad edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

• U21 = Under 21 Player
• U23 = Under 23 Player
• U25 = Under 25 Player

For recent transfers, see List of Iranian football transfers summer 2022.

Out on loan edit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Retired numbers edit

On 18 June 2018, the club decided to retire the squad number 30 in memory of Mehdi Rajabzadeh.

This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.

Famous Players edit

For notable players see List of Zob Ahan F.C. players.
For details on former players see Category:Zob Ahan Esfahan F.C. players.

Players on international cups edit

Club captains edit

IPL managers edit

Only IPL matches are counted.

Last updated 10 August 2021.

Current coaching staff edit

Source:^[6]

Chairpersons edit

For details on seasons, see List of Zob Ahan F.C. seasons

The table below chronicles the achievements of Zob Ahan since 1973.

Season	League	Position	Hazfi Cup	ACL	Notes
1973–74	Takht Jamshid Cup	10th	Not held	did not qualify
1974–75		11th
1975–76		9th	1/8 Final
1976–77		15th	1/16 Final
1977–78		8th	Not held
1978–79		N/A			did not finish
1981–82	Isfahan's 2nd Division	1st			Promoted
1983–84	Isfahan League	3rd
1984–85		2nd
1991–92		5th
1993–94	Azadegan League	4th	1/8 Final
1994–95		8th	1/16 Final		Relegated
1995–96	2nd Division	2nd	1/8 Final		Promoted
1996–97	Azadegan League	10th	1/8 Final
1997–98		3rd	Not held
1998–99		12th	Third Round
1999–00		5th	First Round
2000–01		4th	Final
2001–02	Iran Pro League	6th	Quarterfinal
2002–03		8th	Cup
2003–04		4th	Semi-Final	First Round
2004–05		2nd	1/8 Final	did not qualify
2005–06		6th	1/8 Final
2006–07		8th	1/16 Final
2007–08		6th	1/8 Final
2008–09		2nd	Cup
2009–10		2nd	Semi-Final	Runner-up
2010–11		3rd	1/16 Final	1/4 Final
2011–12		6th	1/8 Final	Play-off
2012–13		14th	1/4 Final	did not qualify
2013–14		13th	1/4 Final
2014–15		4th	Cup
2015–16		6th	Cup	1/8 Final	Super Cup
2016–17		4th	Semi-Final	First Round
2017–18		2nd	1/16 Final	1/8 Final
2018–19		6th	1/16 Final	1/8 Final
2019–20		12th	1/16 Final	did not qualify
2020–21		14th	1/16 Final	did not qualify
2021–22		7th	1/16 Final	did not qualify

Lists of the players with the most caps and top goalscorers for the club, (players in bold signifies current Zob Ahan player). This list includes goals from Iran Premier League.

Most appearances edit

Top Goalscorers edit

Top Scorers by season edit

Asian Club Championship / AFC Champions League edit

Domestic edit

• 1st Division/Persian Gulf Pro League
  • Runners-up (4): 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2017–18
• Hazfi Cup
  • Winners (4): 2002–03, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Runners-up (1): 2000–01
• Super Cup
  • Winners (1): 2016

Continental edit

• AFC Champions League
  • Runners-up (1): 2010

The owner of the Zob Ahan FC is Isfahan Steel Company. Company is the first Iranian steel maker opened in late 1960, based close to the cities of Fooladshahr and Zarrinshahr, Isfahan Province.

Zob Ahan-e Esfahan and Iran's first car manufacturer, Iran National (renamed Iran Khodro after the Iranian revolution) were parts of a move from mainly agriculture-based economy toward industrialization by the pre-revolutionary government of Amir Abbas Hoveida.

• Official website (in Persian)
• Player statistics (archived 12 February 2010)