The Prince of Persia

Hossein Vafaei

Hossein Vafaei player poster
Nationality
Iran
Date of birth
15 OCT 1994
Turned pro
2012
Highest achievement
Winner of the 2022 Shoot Out
Current world ranking
32

Profile

Hossein Vafaei is widely regarded as Iran’s greatest-ever snooker player. A former World Amateur and World Under-21 Champion, he claimed his first ranking title by winning the 2022 Shoot Out. He has since reached several ranking event semi-finals, including the 2023 UK Championship. Vafaei made history as the first Iranian player to compete at the Crucible and secured his maiden World Championship match victory in 2023 by defeating Ding Junhui. He went on to record his best Crucible performance in 2026, reaching the quarter-finals. Renowned for his attacking style, confidence and expressive personality, Vafaei has become one of the most distinctive and entertaining figures on the professional tour.

Career history

  1. 2026

    Reaches the quarter-finals at the Crucible for the first time, beating Si Jiahui and Judd Trump before losing to Wu Yize.

  2. 2025

    Beats Barry Hawkins 10-9 at the Crucible before losing in the last 16 to Mark Williams.

  3. 2023

    Reaches the Crucible for the second time and becomes the first Iranian to win a match at the venue, beating Ding Junhui to reach the last 16 before losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan. Reaches the semi-finals of the UK Championship before losing to Ronnie O’Sullivan.

  4. 2022

    Makes history as the first Iranian player to win a world ranking title. His victory over Mark Williams in the BetVictor Shoot Out final is a landmark moment for Vafaei and snooker in Iran. Goes on to become the first Iranian player to compete at the Crucible; he wins two qualifying matches before losing 10-4 to Judd Trump in the last 32. Makes his first official 147 during the qualifying rounds of the European Masters.

  5. 2020

    Beats China’s Zhou Yuelong and Ding Junhui to reach the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix.

  6. 2019

    Reaches the semi-finals of the Welsh Open before losing to Neil Robertson. Another run to the last four – this time at the China Championship – ends with a narrow 6-5 defeat against Mark Williams. Climbs into the world’s top 32.

  7. 2018

    Again reaches the final qualifying round of the World Championship but loses.

  8. 2017

    Reaches his first ranking event semi-final at the China Open, beating Judd Trump in the quarters before losing to Mark Williams. Comes within one victory of becoming the first Iranian player to qualify for the Crucible.

  9. 2014

    Wins the World Under-21 Championship, and makes a 147 in the semi-finals.

  10. 2012

    Becomes the first Iranian player to compete on the pro tour.

  11. 2011

    Wins the World Amateur Championship at the age of just 17, beating Lee Walker in the final.