Iran and Iraq football rivalry goes to 53 years back . The two neighboring nations played their first match in Amjadiah , Tehran in June 1962 while their last meeting was a friendly less than 3 weeks ago in Australia just ahead of the AFC Asian Cup. The two countries met in the AFC Asian Cup five times , Iran winning 4 of them while Iraq has a solitary win in Asian Cup 1996 held in the UAE.
Iraq current coach , Radhi Shnaishal Swadi who is on a temporary loan assignment from Qatar club , has played against Iran last time they won an official match in AFC Asian Cup 1996. He also played against Iran in a World Cup qualifier in 1993 , where Iran won 2-1
The percentage of results: Iran wins = 64% – Draws 20% Iraq wins 16%
Last Iraq win = 11 years ago (1-0 win in LG Cup in Azadi on 18.Oct.2003
Last win for Iraq in official competition = 19 years ago 2-1 win in Dubai AFC Asian Cup 1996
Iran clearly holds a superior record against the Iraqi team and that is psychological advantage that could make a difference on Friday.
Head to Head
| H / A / N | Matches | W | D | L | Goals | + / – |
| Home | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 18 – 8 | +10 |
| Away | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 – 1 | +3 |
| Neutral | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 13 – 7 | +6 |
| Total | 25 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 35 – 16 | +19 |
| Date | Comp. | H / A / N | Final score | Stadium | Attendance |
| 04.01.2015 | Friendly | N | 1 – 0 | WIN Stadium, Wollongong, NSW | |
| 11.01.2011 | Asian Cup / Group D | N | 2 – 1 | Rayyan Stadium , Doha | 10870 |
| 01.10.2010 | WAFF / Semi Final | N | 2 – 1 | King Abdullah Satdium – Amman | 10300 |
| 25.06.2007 | WAFF / Final | N | 2 – 1 | International Stadium , Amman | 8000 |
| 16.06.2007 | WAFF / Group B | N | 0 – 0 | International Stadium , Amman | 5000 |
| 04.10.2006 | Others / LG CUP | A | 2 – 0 | King Abdulla Stadium , Amman | 1000 |
| 23.06.2004 | WAFF / Semi Finals | H | 2 – 1 | Azadi – Tehran | 15000 |
| 13.08.2003 | Others / LG CUP | H | 0 – 1 | Azadi – Tehran | 20000 |
| 05.09.2002 | WAFF / Semi Finals | N | 0 – 0 | Abbassyin Stadium , Damascus | 2000 |
| 12.10.2001 | World Cup Qualifier / WCQ | H | 2 – 1 | Azadi – Tehran | 90000 |
| 07.09.2001 | World Cup Qualifier / WCQ | A | 2 – 1 | Baghdad | 60000 |
| 18.10.2000 | Asian Cup / Group A | N | 1 – 0 | Municipal Stadium ,Sidon | 8582 |
| 07.12.1996 | Asian Cup / Group B | N | 1 – 2 | Al-Maktoum Stadium , Dubai | 20000 |
| 22.10.1993 | World Cup Qualifier / Second Round | N | 1 – 2 | Doha | 30000 |
| 05.11.1989 | Others / Peace & Friendship Tour | N | 0 – 0 | Kadhma Stadium , Kuwait City | 8500 |
| 01.06.1976 | Asian Cup / AC | H | 2 – 0 | Azadi – Tehran | 50000 |
| 29.08.1975 | Olympics Qualifier / OLQ | H | 1 – 0 | Azadi – Tehran | 80000 |
| 13.09.1974 | Asian Games / Semi Finals | H | 1 – 0 | Azadi – Tehran | 85000 |
| 10.05.1972 | Asian Cup | N | 3 – 0 | National Stadium, Bangkok | 5000 |
| 07.03.1969 | Others / Friendship Cup | H | 2 – 1 | Amjadiyeh Stadium – Tehran | |
| 07.03.1966 | Friendly | H | 2 – 1 | Amjadiah , Tehran | |
| 03.01.1964 | Olympics Qualifier | A | 0 – 0 | Sahat Al Kashafa , Baghdad | 20000 |
| 12.12.1963 | Olympics Qualifier | H | 4 – 0 | Amjadiah , Tehran | 25000 |
| 03.06.1962 | Friendly | H | 1 – 2 | Amjadiah , Tehran | 12000 |
| 01.06.1962 | Friendly | H | 1 – 1 | Amjadiah , Tehran | 10000 |