The article contains information about the 2022–23 Iran 3rd Division football season. This is the 4th rated football league in Iran after the Persian Gulf Cup, Azadegan League, and 2nd Division. The league has been started on 29 October 2022 and finished on 1 September 2023.[1]
In total 85 teams (65 teams in the first stage in 5 groups, 20 teams added in second stage) will compete in this season's competitions.
The top 2 teams from each group advance to the Second Stage. The teams ranked 3rd, 4th and 5th in each group (total 15 teams) are eligible to play in the First Round of next season. The teams ranked 6th and lower relegate to Provincial Leagues.[10]
Qualified teams
Teams which are eligible to play in this round are as follows:[1][11]
Updated to match(es) played on 19 February 2023. Source: Dsport Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
Updated to match(es) played on 8 February 2023. Source: Dsport Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
^ abHead-to-head points: Pas Gilan 3, Samit No Qazvin 0.
Updated to match(es) played on 7 February 2023. Source: Dsport Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
^ abcArtiman Hefdah Iranian Khomein, Shahrdari Baneh and Pishgaman Fonoon Pars did not participate in two matches and therefore disqualified from the league and punished by two-level-relegation.
^Payam Zeydi Kashan withdrew before start of the league.
Updated to match(es) played on 25 February 2023. Source: Dsport Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
Updated to match(es) played on 19 February 2023. Source: Dsport Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
^ abHead-to-head points: Esteghlal Shoosh 3, Shayan Dizel Fars 0.
^Sorkhpooshan Kish withdrew before start of the league.
Second stage
In this stage, 10 teams who qualified from 1st stage will join to 17 remaining teams from previous season and 3 relegated teams from 2nd division (total 30 teams). Teams will be divided into 3 groups of 10 teams each and play a round-robin home and away matches. The winner of each group will promote to 2nd division and 3 runners-up and the best 3rd placed team will qualify to Play-off stage. The 3 bottom clubs in each group and the worst 7th placed team among groups will relegate to next season's 1st stage.
[14][15]
Qualified teams
Relegated from 2nd Division (3 Teams):
Abipooshan Omid Koosha Tehran[16] (Replaced by Parsian Tehran)
Updated to match(es) played on 31 July 2023. Source: [17] Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
^ abShariat Novin Mashhad and Nika Pars Chaloos are tied on head-to-head criteria, so ranked by total goal differece. Shariat Novin Mashhad 2-0 Nika Pars Chaloos, Nika Pars Chaloos 2-0 Shariat Novin Mashhad.
^ abParsa San'at Shargh are ahead of Novin Keshavarz Aliabad based on head-to-head points. Parsa San'at 3-2 Novin Keshavarz Aliabad, Novin Keshavarz Aliabad 0-0 Parsa San'at.
^Kia used an ineligible player in the match therefore Sorkhpooshan awarded a 3-0 win. The main result was "KIA 3-2 Sorkhpooshan" before the Disciplinary Committee's announcement.
^Kia used an ineligible player in the match therefore Parsian awarded a 3-0 win. The main result was "Samit 1-2 KIA" before the Disciplinary Committee's announcement.
Updated to match(es) played on 31 July 2023. Source: [18] Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
^ abRakhsh Khodro Tabtriz are ahead of Shahrdari Fooman based on Head-to-Head Away Goals: Shahrdari Fooman 3-1 Rakhsh Khodro Tabtriz, Rakhsh Khodro Tabtriz 2-0 Shahrdari Fooman.
^ abSetaregan Sorkh Tehran are ahead of Parsian Tehran based on Head-to-Head Points: Parsian 0-3 Setaregan Sorkh, Setaregan Sorkh 1-0 Parsian.
^ abMoghavemat Astara are ahead of Oghab Tabriz based on Head-to-Head Points: Oghab Tabriz 3-3 Moghavemat Astara, Moghavemat Astara 2-1 Oghab Tabriz.
^The match was abandoned in 35' due to Avalan's lack of players and the score was 5-0 at the time of stoppage.
^The match between Oghab and Setaregan Sorkh was stopped due to misbehaviour of Setaregan Sorkh's manager. Oghab awarded a 3-0 win by Disciplinary Committee.
^Parsian used an ineligible player in the match, therefore Kavir Moghava awarded a 3-0 win. The main result was "Parsian 0-0 Kavir Moghava" before the Disciplinary Committee's announcement.
^Parsian used an ineligible player in the match, therefore Setaregan Sorkh awarded a 3-0 win. The main result was "Parsian 2-1 Setaregan Sorkh" before the Disciplinary Committee's announcement.
^The match between Rakhsh Khodro and Kavir Moghava was stopped due to protest of Rakhsh Khodro team. Kavir Moghava awarded a 3-0 win by Disciplinary Committee. The result before stoppage was "Rakhsh Khodro 0-1 Kavir Moghava".
^The match awarded a 3-0 win for Moghavemat by the Disciplinary Committee due to absence of an ambulance on the field.
Updated to match(es) played on 31 July 2023. Source: [19] Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Play-off at neutral venue. (Note: Head-to-head record is used only after all the matches between the teams in question have been played).[13] Notes:
^ abParsa Baghmalek are ahead of Naft Omidiyeh based on head-to-head points. Naft Omidiyeh 0-1 Parsa Baghmalek, Parsa Baghmalek 0-0 Naft Omidiyeh.
^ abIranjavan Bushehr are ahead of Yazd Looleh based on head-to-head away goals. Iranjavan 2, Yazd Looleh 0.
Updated to match(es) played on 31 July 2023. Source: [citation needed] Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win. Notes:
^The match between Parsa Baghmalek and Yazd Looleh was stopped and the Disciplinary Committee found Yazd Looleh guilty. The result before stoppage was "Parsa Baghmalek 1-0 Yazd Looleh".
Updated to match(es) played on 31 July 2023. Source: [citation needed] Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) Play-off at neutral venue.
Remained in 3rd Division - 2nd Stage 2023–24 after relegation[a]
Updated to match(es) played on 31 July 2023. Source: [citation needed] Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) play-off at neutral venue. Notes:
^The worst seventh-placed should relegate to 3rd Division - 1st Stage. But due to direct relegation of Machine Sazi Tabriz from 2nd division to 3rd Division - 1st Stage (instead of 3rd Division - 2nd Stage), they remained in 3rd Division - 2nd Stage and not relegated.
Parsian Tehran was introduced as Group B runner-up at the time of the draw on 13 August. On 14 August, the Appeals Committee stated the disciplinary 3-0 loss for Parsian, in the match between them and Setaregan Sorkh Tehran and the rankings of Group B has changed. Therefore, Parsian Tehran was replaced by Rakhsh Khodro Tabriz.