Iran - Persian Cheetahs

World Cup Appearances: 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026

Highest Finish: Group stage

When Iran’s national football team appeared on the world stage, many fans noticed an unusual symbol on their jerseys, the Asiatic cheetah. The image was included to raise awareness for one of the world’s rarest big cats, a critically endangered species whose last remaining wild population survives almost entirely in Iran.

The campaign emerged ahead of the 2014 World Cup as conservationists sought to use football’s global audience to highlight the cheetah’s struggle for survival. By placing the animal on the national team’s kit, Iran connected its sporting identity with a broader environmental mission.

The cheetah also carried symbolic meaning. Known for its speed, agility, and endurance, it reflected qualities admired in football while serving as a reminder of Iran’s unique natural heritage.

More than a jersey design, the cheetah became a statement that sport can do more than unite people. It can also draw attention to the preservation of a species on the edge of extinction.