Payam Niazmand
Squad number 12 · Persepolis
Their 2026 World Cup
Payam Niazmand travelled to the 2026 World Cup with Iran, wearing number 12, without ever getting on the pitch. His side played 3 matches (3 draws) and bowed out in the group stage (Group G), beaten by Egypt 1-1.
The goalkeeping job went to A. Beiranvand (3 matches, 270′).
Another 9 players in the Iran squad ended up the same way, without a single minute. The full run is on the Iran team page.
Biography
Payam Niazmand (Persian: پیام نیازمند; born 6 April 1995) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Iranian club Persepolis and the Iran national team. Niazmand set the new all-time record at 940 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. Mohammad Nouri ended his goalless streak by beating him in the 50th minute of the same match. He was included in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Paykan Niazmand started his senior career in Iran at Paykan in 2015, where he made 24 appearances in three seasons.
Sepahan In 2018, Niazmand joined Sepahan. Niazmand was included in Sepahan's lineup in 89 games continuously.
Portimonense On 13 July 2021, Niazmand joined Primeira Liga side Portimonense.
Persepolis On 19 May 2025, Niazmand joined Persian Gulf Pro League side Persepolis on a new two-year deal.
International career On 8 October 2020, Niazmand made his debut for the Iran national team in a 2–1 friendly win against Uzbekistan.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) · text adapted from the article.
See all the tournament stats on the World Cup data hub.
Photo: Mehdi Mahabadi · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)