PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mohammad Mohebi |
| Date of Birth | 20 December 1998 (Age: 27) |
| Place of Birth | Iran |
| Nationality | Iranian |
| Height | 1.86–1.87 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 83 kg / 183 lbs |
| Position | Winger / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #9 (Iran) |
| Current Club | FC Rostov |
| Previous Clubs | Shahin Bushehr, Sepahan, Santa Clara, Esteghlal (loan) |
| International Caps | 40 |
| International Goals | 15 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
The Lumen Field in Seattle was electric. June 16, 2026. Iran and New Zealand, locked in a World Cup Group G opener that would set the tone for the tournament. In the 32nd minute, a cross from the left found its target. Mohammad Mohebi, the 27-year-old Rostov winger, rose above the New Zealand defense and powered a header into the net. It was Iran’s first goal of the tournament, giving them a 1-0 lead.
The celebration was visceral. Mohebi, who had made his international debut just seven years earlier with a dream performance—two goals and two assists against Cambodia—had now scored on football’s greatest stage. The match would end 2-2, with Mohebi playing the full 90 minutes. He had started all three of Iran’s group matches, accumulating 244 minutes of World Cup football and scoring Iran’s only goal of the tournament.
The boy from Bushehr who had started his career in Iran’s lower leagues, who had made the leap to European football with Santa Clara in Portugal, who had been loaned to Esteghlal before finding his home at Rostov, had announced himself to the world.
Origins
Mohammad Mohebi was born on December 20, 1998, in Iran. His footballing journey began in the Iranian lower leagues. He started his senior career at Shahin Bushehr, a club in Iran’s second division, between 2017 and 2019, making 49 league appearances and scoring 5 goals.
His international career began in spectacular fashion. On October 10, 2019, Mohebi made his debut for the Iran senior national team against Cambodia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match. He scored two goals and provided two assists on his debut.
The Forge
Shahin Bushehr (2017-2019):
Mohebi’s senior career began at Shahin Bushehr, playing in Iran’s lower leagues. He made 49 appearances across the League 2 and Azadegan League, scoring 5 goals.
Sepahan (2019-2021):
In 2019, Mohebi moved to Sepahan in the Persian Gulf Pro League. Over two seasons, he made 53 league appearances, scoring 9 goals. In the 2019-20 season, he made 26 appearances (24 starts) and scored 6 goals. In the following campaign, he added 27 appearances with 3 goals.
CD Santa Clara (2021-2022):
Mohebi made the move to European football in 2021, joining Portuguese club CD Santa Clara. He made 16 Primeira Liga appearances (4 starts), scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists. His time in Portugal was a transitional period as he adapted to European football.
Esteghlal (Loan, 2022-2023):
Mohebi returned to Iran on loan, joining Esteghlal for the 2022-23 season. His time at the club was his most productive in Iranian football. He made 28 league appearances, scored 8 goals, and provided 4 assists. He also featured in 5 cup matches, scoring 2 goals.
FC Rostov (2023-Present):
On July 13, 2023, Mohebi signed with Russian Premier League club Rostov. His first season at the club was impressive—22 league appearances, 6 goals, and 2 assists. He was voted the league’s Player of the Month for March 2024 after scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist.
The 2024-25 season saw him make 15 league appearances, scoring 4 goals. The 2025-26 campaign brought 28 league appearances, 2 goals, and 2 assists. Across his three seasons at Rostov, he has made 65 league appearances, scoring 13 goals.
The Anatomy of His Game
Mohammad Mohebi is a winger and forward defined by his versatility, physical presence, and goalscoring instinct. Standing at 1.86–1.87 meters, he combines height with technical quality.
In Possession:
Mohebi is a left-footed attacker capable of playing on either wing or through the center. Across his career, he has accumulated 162 league appearances, scoring 32 goals and providing 9 assists. His international record is even more prolific—40 caps with 15 goals, a ratio of 0.375 goals per game.
Out of Possession:
Mohebi’s physical attributes make him a strong presence in duels. In World Cup qualifying, he won 12 of 18 aerials. He has accumulated 4 yellow cards across his international career.
Psychological Edge:
Mohebi’s international debut—two goals and two assists against Cambodia—demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure. His performance at the 2026 World Cup, scoring Iran’s only goal of the tournament, reflects a player who rises to the occasion.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2026 World Cup)
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 3 (All starts) |
| Minutes Played | 244 |
| Goals | 1 (vs New Zealand) |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 1 |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-2019 | Shahin Bushehr | League 2/Azadegan League | 49 | 5 |
| 2019-2021 | Sepahan | Persian Gulf Pro League | 53 | 9 |
| 2021-2022 | Santa Clara | Primeira Liga | 16 | 3 |
| 2022-2023 | Esteghlal (loan) | Persian Gulf Pro League | 28 | 8 |
| 2023-2026 | Rostov | Russian Premier League | 65 | 13 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 211 | 38 |
TABLE C: International Record (2019-2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Cup Qualifiers | 12 | 8 | 6 goals in 2026 qualifying |
| Asian Cup | 6 | 1 | — |
| Friendlies | 4 | 2 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 1 | Scored vs New Zealand |
| TOTAL | 40 | 15 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Professional Debut | Shahin Bushehr |
| 2019 | Iran Debut | vs Cambodia, 2 goals, 2 assists |
| 2019 | Sepahan Move | Joined Persian Gulf Pro League club |
| 2021 | Santa Clara Move | European football debut |
| 2022 | Esteghlal Loan | 8 goals in 28 appearances |
| 2023 | Rostov Move | Signed for Russian Premier League club |
| 2024 | RPL Player of the Month | March |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Iran’s 26-man squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Goal | vs New Zealand |
What these figures reveal
is a player of remarkable productivity. Mohebi has made 211 league appearances across four countries by age 27, scoring 38 goals. His international record—40 caps and 15 goals—is exceptional for a winger. His 2026 World Cup goal, Iran’s only goal of the tournament, demonstrates his ability to perform at the highest level.
The Present Tense
Mohammad Mohebi is 27 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is Rostov’s winger, a key Iranian international, and a World Cup participant.
The Rostov Story:
Mohebi joined Rostov in July 2023 and has been a key player for the club. In the 2025-26 season, he made 28 league appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists. His salary at Rostov is reported at €711,359 annually. He has made 80 appearances across all competitions for the club, scoring 15 goals.
The World Cup Campaign:
Mohebi was selected for Iran’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He started all three of Iran’s group matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, accumulating 244 minutes of tournament football. He scored Iran’s only goal of the tournament against New Zealand. Iran was eliminated from the tournament with 1 point from 3 matches.
International Record:
Mohebi has earned 40 caps for Iran, scoring 15 goals. He made his debut in 2019 against Cambodia, scoring two goals and providing two assists. He has scored in World Cup qualifying, the Asian Cup, and the World Cup finals. He scored against Japan in the quarter-final of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Mohammad Mohebi is defined by his journey from Iran’s lower leagues to the World Cup stage. Born in Iran, he began his professional career at Shahin Bushehr, a club in Iran’s second division, before rising through the ranks to Sepahan, European football, and the Russian Premier League.
His international debut was a dream come true. He later reflected on the support he has received: “I want to give everything I’ve learned back to the team so we can win the title.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Wikipedia, on Mohebi's international debut:
“He made his debut against Cambodia in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match on 10 October 2019, in which he scored two goals and had two assists on his debut.”
Wikipedia, on his RPL Player of the Month award:
“He was voted the league’s player of the month for March 2024 after scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist.”
Kicker, on his World Cup performance:
Mohebi played all three matches for Iran at the 2026 World Cup, scoring 1 goal, with a Kicker rating of 3.67.
Where Next?
Mohammad Mohebi is 27 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Rostov in the Russian Premier League, an Iranian international, and a World Cup participant.
For Iran, he is a key attacking player. His World Cup experience—starting all three matches and scoring Iran’s only goal—has added to his international pedigree. With 40 caps and 15 goals, he will be a valuable squad member for future tournaments, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
For Rostov, he is a key player and a valuable asset. His 2025-26 season—28 appearances—demonstrates his importance to the club. With his contract at the club, he will be central to Rostov’s ambitions in the Russian Premier League.
His career trajectory is remarkable—from Shahin Bushehr to Sepahan, from Santa Clara to Esteghlal, from Rostov to the World Cup. He has earned his place through consistent performance, versatility, and an unwavering commitment to his craft.
The boy from Iran who made his international debut with two goals and two assists has become a Rostov winger, an Iranian international, and a World Cup goalscorer. Mohammad Mohebi’s journey is a story of talent, determination, and the pursuit of excellence on football’s greatest stage.
