After playing in the youth squad for Gençlerbirliği, Irfan Can made his debut for the first team during the 2014–15 season. On 9 November 2014, he scored his first league goal in the 63rd minute against Kasımpaşa. He finished the season with 6 goals in 30 matches in league and cup competitions.
In his second season with Gençlerbirliği he amassed 3 goals in 33 matches in all competitions.
On 31 January 2021, Fenerbahçe announced via Twitter that Kahveci joined the team.[6] He signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Fenerbahçe for a €7 million fee.[7][8]
In 2023–24 season, he made a very strong start with new coach and team's local legend İsmail Kartal and became one of the key players who took more responsibility on the field. On 26 October 2023, he wore a Fenerbahçe jersey for the 100th time in all competitions against Ludogorets Razgrad in UEFA Europa Conference League Group H third week match, Fenerbahçe won 3–1 in Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.[11]
International career
Kahveci was called up by manager Fatih Terim for Turkey's friendly match against Russia on 31 August 2016 and subsequent World Cup 2018 qualifier against Croatia.[12] He made a debut in the national team on 23 March 2018 in a 1–0 win against Ireland.[13] In his second match in June 2019, a friendly against Uzbekistan, he had a chance to score his first international goal, but he missed a 90th-minute penalty kick. Turkey still won the game 2–0 courtesy of a brace from Zeki Çelik.