The winner of the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games, the team was prepared to defend its championship title at the football tournament of the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Despite a suspension by FIFA, preventing Iran to enter any international football competition, the Iran under-23 team was given special permission to participate in the Asian Games, where they won the bronze medal.
Formation
The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Iran national football team. It is for players aged 23 and less, however 3 senior players can also be selected to play. Also in existence are national teams for Under-20s, Under-17s and Under-15s. As long as they are eligible, players can play at any level, hence it is possible for one to play for the U-23s, senior side and then again for the U-23s, as players such as Andranik Teymourian have done so. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and for another at the senior level, providing the player is eligible. Ferydoon Zandi is a current Iranian international and former German u-21 player.