Iran
Shiraz, with a population of around 1.8 million (2016 census), is Iran's sixth most populous city. It is the capital of the province of Fars, and was also the capital of Iran under the reign of the Zand dynasty. It is located near the ruins of Persepolis and Pasargadae, two of the four capitals of the Achaemenid Empire.
Shiraz
Football is the most popular sport in Shiraz and the city has many teams in this sport. The most notable of these teams is [[Bargh Shiraz F.C.|Bargh Shiraz]] who are one of the oldest teams in Iran, Bargh was once a regular member of the [[Persian Gulf Pro League]]; however, financial issues and poor management have led them dropping to [[League 3 (Iran)|League 3]] where they currently play. Shiraz's other major football team is [[Fajr Sepasi F.C.|Fajr Sepasi]] who also played in the [[Persian Gulf Pro League]]; however, now they play in the second tier [[Azadegan League]]. Shiraz is host to a number of smaller and lesser known teams as well, such as [[Kara Shiraz F.C.|Kara Shiraz]], [[New Bargh Fars F.C.|New Bargh]] and [[Qashqai F.C.|Qashaei]] who all play in [[League 2 (Iran)|League 2]].