Andranik Eskandarian

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Records

Andranik Eskandarian stands as a seminal figure in the history of Iranian soccer and the North American Soccer League. His achievement of playing in Iran's first-ever FIFA World Cup in 1978 remains a cornerstone of national sporting pride. Furthermore, his six-season tenure with the New York Cosmos places him among the elite group of players who experienced the golden era of American soccer in the late 1970s and early 1980s, sharing the pitch with legends like Pelé and Beckenbauer.

AwardsWhile Eskandarian did not win individual awards like the Ballon d'Or or league MVPs in the modern sense, his achievements are recognized through historical milestones and collective honors. He won the 1976 Asian Cup as a key member of the Iranian national team, marking the first major international trophy for Iran. He also holds the distinction of being one of the original Iranian World Cup players in 1978, a status that carries immense historical weight in Iranian sports culture.

Honours & Distinctions

1976 Asian Cup Winner

AFC·1976

Key member of the Iranian national team that secured their first major international trophy.

1978 FIFA World Cup Participant

FIFA·1978

Part of Iran's inaugural World Cup squad, playing in all three group stage matches.

Rankings & Lists

#21

Historical Popularity Index

Pantheon.world·2026

Records & Feats

First Iranian World Cup Player

Historic First·1978

One of the original Iranian players to compete in the FIFA World Cup in 1978.

Longest Running Soccer Shop Owner

Career Milestone·2026

Operated Eski's Soccer in Hackensack, NJ for over 40 years.