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Azerbaijan national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Azerbaijan women's national football team.
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Azerbaijan
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Milli komanda (The National Team)
Association Azərbaycan Futbol Federasiyaları Assosiasiyası (AFFA)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Fernando Santos
Captain Emin Mahmudov
Most caps Rashad Sadygov (111)
Top scorer Gurban Gurbanov & Emin Mahmudov (14)
Home stadium Baku Olympic Stadium
FIFA code AZE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 108 Decrease 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 73 (July 2014)
Lowest 170 (June 1994)
Elo ranking
Current 105 Increase 4 (3 March 2019)
Highest 51 (28 June 1928)
Lowest 152 (2 June 2001)
First international
Official
 Georgia 6–3 Azerbaijan 
(Tbilisi, Georgia; 17 September 1992)
Biggest win
 Azerbaijan 4–0 Liechtenstein 
(Baku, Azerbaijan; 5 June 1999)
 Azerbaijan 5–1 San Marino 
(Baku, Azerbaijan; 4 September 2017)
Biggest defeat
 France 10–0 Azerbaijan 
(Auxerre, France; 6 September 1995)

The Azerbaijan national football team (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan milli futbol komandası) is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. It represents Azerbaijan in international football competitions. The majority of Azerbaijan's home matches are held at the national stadium, Baku Olympic Stadium, with friendly matches sometimes hosted at club stadiums.

The Azerbaijan national football team has taken part in qualification for each major tournament since Euro 1996, but has never qualified for the finals tournament of any World Cup or European Championships. Despite this, Azerbaijan was the first Caucasus country to host a major tournament, the UEFA Euro 2020, even though the national side was the only host to be eliminated in the first round of qualifying.

History

Early period (before the 1920s)

In the early twentieth century, football began to become popular in Azerbaijan, which was then part of the Russian Empire. In 1912, Azerbaijani football players had their first "international match" and they won in Tbilisi, Georgia against the local "Sokol" team with 4:2. During 1912–1913, matches between Azerbaijani and Georgian football teams were organized, first in Tbilisi and then in Baku. In 1914, the Football Union was founded in Azerbaijan. The Football Union undertook the organization of official city championships and other competitions.

Soviet era (1920s–1991)

The oldest records of football teams in Soviet Azerbaijan goes back to 1926–1927, when Trans-Caucasian Championship was organized in Tbilisi. Three South Caucasian countries participated: Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The Azerbaijan national football team held its first friendly matches against Georgia and Armenia in 1927 for the Trans-Caucasian Championship in Georgia. Also in 1926, football players from Azerbaijan played three matches with Football team from Iran in Baku. In 1929, there were played three matches between these teams in Tehran. In all matches Azerbaijan players won.

The 1960s is considered the Golden Age for Azerbaijani football as it produced great players like Anatoliy Banishevskiy, Alakbar Mammadov and the football referee Tofiq Bahramov, most famous for being the linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final between England and West Germany.

Post-independence (1992–present)

1990s

After Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1991, AFFA — Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan — was created. In 1992, renowned Azerbaijani footballer Alekper Mamedov became the first head coach of the Azerbaijani national football team, compiling a 3–1 record as coach that includes the first ever national team victory, over Georgia on May 25, 1993. In 1994, the national team was accepted into FIFA and UEFA. The security issues, forced the team to play all of its home Euro 96 qualifiers in Trabzon, Turkey.

2000s

Iceland-Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani squad in 2008.

As of the early 2000s, Azerbaijani football federation started to integrate more players to the national team through FIFA's eligibility rules. In February 2004, Carlos Alberto Torres, captain of the Brazil team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup was appointed its national coach. Despite a poor start, a 0–6 defeat to Israel on February 18, Azerbaijan won their first ever away match, 3–2 against Kazakhstan on April 28. In June 2005, following a 3–0 defeat by Poland, Torres stood down from the position, to be replaced by former Neftchi coach Vagif Sadygov, his third spell as coach of Azerbaijan. Shahin Diniyev took over as manager in November 2005. He resigned on 31 October 2007, and Gjoko Hadzievski was named as care-taking coach of Azerbaijan.

In April 2008, former German football player and coach Berti Vogts was appointed as a manager of Azerbaijan on a two-year contract. Azerbaijan had a mixed qualifying campaign, finishing with 5 points, just missing out on a last place to Liechtenstein with 2 points.

In November 2009, AFFA extended Berti Vogts' contract a further two years, making him the first manager to manage the weak Azerbaijani national team in two qualification cycles.

2010s

In 2010, following a shock win over Turkey, the team reached 90th place in FIFA World Rankings, Azerbaijan's highest position ever in country's football history. After victory over Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan also broke their scoring and points records by gaining 7 points and scoring 10 goals.

In November 2011, AFFA extended Berti Vogts' contract a further two years, until the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle. Under Vogts, Azerbaijan had some poor results, not being able to defeat second-string sides. Vogts faced major criticism, protest and demonstration from local supporters and the media. However, Azerbaijan managed to finish qualification cycle in fourth place, the team's best ever finish. In December 2013, Vogts being granted a new two-year contract, with aim to lead Azerbaijan through EURO 2016 qualifying. In July 2014, Azerbaijan beat its ranking record by reaching 73rd place in FIFA World Rankings. Following three straight losses, Vogts resigned from his post after spending six years in charge of Azerbaijan.

Succeeding Vogts as full-time manager was former Croatia international Robert Prosinečki. He guided the Azerbaijani team to another record points haul (10) in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, but the team still finished fifth in the six-team Group C. Prosinečki resigned after deciding not to extend his contract with the Azerbaijan Football Federation and was succeeded by fellow countryman Nikola Jurčević.

2020s

The UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying proved to be a disaster for Azerbaijan as the team finished in bottom with a complete seven defeats, including a famous 1–5 at home against Slovakia, and only one draw, which was, surprisingly, against 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia, the home of the manager. Nikola Jurčević departed following the poor performance of Azerbaijan. After the qualifying, Azerbaijan turned out to be the only country ever to not qualify for a tournament they co-hosted.

Team image

Colours

Azerbaijan nationall football team
Azerbaijan national football team in October 2013.

As of UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying round, Azerbaijan's home colours are all-red kit. The team wears an all-blue kit for away games. This combination of colours is traditional for the national team since their first game. At the beginning of 90s, the team wore a white shirt, but towards the end of the decade it was transformed into blue-white striped shirts. At the beginning of the 2000s, the kit was replaced by the white shirt with a vertical tricolour stripe, formed of the colors from the national flag of Azerbaijan on the chest. The kit was changed into blue shirts, red shorts and green socks only for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying round. After the tournament, the national team went back to their usual combination of colours.

Azerbaijan national team's away colours were yellow-black striped shirts, black shorts and yellow socks until UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying round, when it was decided to abandon this kit in favor of the completely blue. During the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying round games the team has used an all red kit.

Since 2017, Azerbaijan's kit have been supplied by Nike. They took over from Puma, who were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2004 and 2006. Before that Umbro were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2002 and 2004.

Nickname

Azerbaijan is often referred to by the media and supporters as Milli (The National), which is the nickname associated with all of Azerbaijan's international sporting teams due to the team's utilization of the country's national colors.

Stadium

Main articles: Tofiq Bahramov Stadium and Baku Olympic Stadium

Most of Azerbaijan's home matches are played at the new Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku. It has been Azerbaijan's primary home stadium ever since the move from Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in 2015. Today, some qualifying matches and friendly matches are still hosted at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, whereas others are hosted at the Lankaran City Stadium, Bakcell Arena and Dalga Arena after it met UEFA stadium criteria.

Media coverage and public relations

Azerbaijan's matches are presently covered by the public channel İTV. 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match rights were held by AZTV and Idman Azerbaijan TV.

AZTV, Idman Azerbaijan TV and Lider TV are among other networks that have previously shown live fixtures.

Kit suppliers

Kit provider Period
Adidas 1992–1994
Diadora 1995
Puma 1996–2000
Diadora 2000–2002
Umbro 2002–2004
Puma 2004–2006
Umbro 2006–2017
Nike 2017–present

Results and fixtures

Main article: Azerbaijan national football team results
Main article: Azerbaijan national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Portugal Fernando Santos

Coaching history

Berti Vogts 1
Under Berti Vogts, Azerbaijan reached its highest position ever in FIFA World Rankings

Players

Current squad

  • The following players have been called up for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C.
  • Match dates: 5 and 8 September 2024
  • Opposition:  Sweden and  Slovakia

Caps and goals correct as of 11 June 2024, after the match against  Kazakhstan

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Rza Jafarov (2003-07-03) 3 July 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi
12 1GK Yusif İmanov (2002-03-27) 27 March 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Azerbaijan Sabah
23 1GK Mekhti Dzhenetov (1992-01-26) 26 January 1992 (age 33) 1 0 Azerbaijan Sumgayit
15 2DF Badavi Guseynov (1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 (age 33) 71 1 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
4 2DF Behlul Mustafazade (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 28) 30 1 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
17 2DF Toral Bayramov (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 24) 23 2 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
3 2DF Elvin Cafarguliyev (2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 24) 21 1 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
22 2DF Abbas Hüseynov (1995-06-13) 13 June 1995 (age 29) 21 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
13 2DF Rahil Mammadov (1995-11-24) 24 November 1995 (age 29) 18 0 Poland Radomiak Radom
2 2DF Amin Seydiyev (1998-11-15) 15 November 1998 (age 26) 8 0 Azerbaijan Sabah
5 2DF Şehriyar Aliyev (1992-12-25) 25 December 1992 (age 32) 2 0 Azerbaijan Turan Tovuz
8 3MF Emin Mahmudov (captain) (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992 (age 33) 53 14 Azerbaijan Neftçi
7 3MF Coşqun Diniyev (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 29) 23 0 Turkey Bandırmaspor
20 3MF Aleksey Isayev (1995-11-09) 9 November 1995 (age 29) 22 1 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
16 3MF Elvin Camalov (1995-02-04) 4 February 1995 (age 30) 18 0 Azerbaijan Sabah
21 3MF Qismət Alıyev (1996-10-24) 24 October 1996 (age 28) 11 0 Azerbaijan Zira
10 3MF Ozan Kökçü (1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 26) 7 0 Finland HJK Helsinki
6 3MF Emil Mustafayev (2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Ukraine Polissya
18 3MF Jeyhun Nuriyev (2001-12-18) 18 December 2001 (age 23) 4 0 Azerbaijan Zira
4 3MF Khayal Najafov (1997-12-19) 19 December 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Azerbaijan Turan Tovuz
11 4FW Ramil Sheydayev (1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 (age 29) 63 10 Azerbaijan Neftçi
9 4FW Renat Dadashov (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 26) 30 3 Turkey Ankaragücü
14 4FW Rustam Akhmedzade (2000-12-25) 25 December 2000 (age 24) 8 0 Azerbaijan Zira
19 4FW Nariman Akhundzade (2004-04-23) 23 April 2004 (age 21) 1 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev (1994-06-12) 12 June 1994 (age 30) 29 0 Azerbaijan Qarabağ v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024
GK Rashad Azizli (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 31) 0 0 Azerbaijan Gabala v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024
GK Səlahət Ağayev (1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 34) 21 0 Azerbaijan Gabala v.  Bulgaria, 25 March 2024
DF Anton Kryvotsyuk (1998-08-20) 20 August 1998 (age 26) 37 1 South Korea Daejeon Citizen v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024
DF Elvin Badalov (1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 29) 9 0 Azerbaijan Sumgayit v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024
DF Bekhtiyar Hasanalizade (1992-12-29) 29 December 1992 (age 32) 4 0 Azerbaijan Araz Naxçıvan v.  Bulgaria, 25 March 2024
DF Hojjat Haghverdi (1993-02-03) 3 February 1993 (age 32) 24 1 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DF Cəlal Hüseynov (2003-01-02) 2 January 2003 (age 22) 5 0 Bulgaria Arda Kardzhali v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DF Turan Manafov (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Azerbaijan Araz Naxçıvan v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DF Yusif Nabiyev (1997-09-03) 3 September 1997 (age 27) 1 0 Azerbaijan Sabail v.  Austria 16 October 2023
MF Vusal Isgandarli (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995 (age 29) 3 0 Turkey Boluspor v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024
MF Emil Safarov (2002-10-30) 30 October 2002 (age 22) 4 0 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024
MF Eddi Israfilov (1992-08-02) 2 August 1992 (age 32) 26 0 Malaysia Johor v.  Bulgaria, 25 March 2024
MF Filip Ozobić (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 34) 15 1 Azerbaijan Neftçi v.  Bulgaria, 25 March 2024
FW Mahir Emreli (1997-07-01) 1 July 1997 (age 27) 48 6 Germany 1. FC Nürnberg v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024
FW Musa Qurbanlı (2002-04-13) 13 April 2002 (age 23) 14 3 Azerbaijan Qarabağ v.  Kazakhstan, 11 June 2024

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension

Player statistics

Players in bold are still active with Azerbaijan.

Most appearances

Rashad Sadygov2 (crop 2)
Rashad Sadygov is Azerbaijan's most capped player with 111 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Rashad Sadygov 111 5 2001–2017
2 Maksim Medvedev 81 4 2009–2024
3 Aslan Kerimov 80 1 1994–2008
4 Kamran Agayev 79 0 2008–2018
5 Gara Garayev 76 0 2013–2022
Mahir Shukurov 76 4 2004–2014
7 Tarlan Ahmadov 74 0 1992–2005
8 Badavi Guseynov 73 1 2012–present
9 Mahmud Qurbanov 71 1 1994–2008
10 Gurban Gurbanov 68 14 1992–2005

Top goalscorers

Makhmudov Spartak
Emin Mahmudov is Azerbaijan's joint-top scorer with 14 goals.
Rank Name Goals Caps Average Career
1 Emin Mahmudov 14 53 0.28 2016–present
Gurban Gurbanov 14 68 0.21 1992–2005
3 Ramil Sheydayev 10 65 0.15 2016–present
4 Vagif Javadov 9 58 0.16 2006–2014
5 Elvin Mammadov 7 39 0.18 2008–2017
Branimir Subašić 7 40 0.18 2007–2013
Dimitrij Nazarov 7 46 0.15 2014–2022
Rauf Aliyev 7 47 0.15 2010–2018
9 Zaur Tagizade 6 40 0.15 1997–2008
Mahir Emreli 6 48 0.13 2017–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
Uruguay 1930 to Italy 1990 Part of  Soviet Union Part of  Soviet Union
United States 1994 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
France 1998 Did not qualify 8 1 0 7 3 22 5/5
South Korea Japan 2002 10 1 2 7 4 17 6/6
Germany 2006 10 0 3 7 1 21 6/6
South Africa 2010 10 1 2 7 4 14 5/6
Brazil 2014 10 1 6 3 7 11 4/6
Russia 2018 10 3 1 6 10 19 5/6
Qatar 2022 8 0 1 7 5 18 5/5
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/7 66 7 15 44 34 122 —

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
France 1960 to West Germany 1988 Part of  Soviet Union Part of  Soviet Union
Sweden 1992 Part of  CIS Part of  CIS
England 1996 Did not qualify 10 0 1 9 2 29 6/6
Belgium Netherlands 2000 10 1 1 8 6 26 5/6
Portugal 2004 8 1 1 6 5 20 5/5
Austria Switzerland 2008 12 1 2 9 6 28 8/8
Poland Ukraine 2012 10 2 1 7 10 26 5/6
France 2016 10 1 3 6 7 18 5/6
Europe 2020 8 0 1 7 5 18 5/5
Germany 2024 8 2 1 5 7 17 4/5
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total 0/8 76 8 11 57 48 182 —

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Round Pos. Pld W D* L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 D 3 Group stage 2nd 6 2 3 1 7 6 Rise 46th
2020–21 C 1 Group stage 3rd 6 1 3 2 2 4 Same position 43rd
2022–23 C 3 Group stage 2nd 6 3 1 2 7 4 Same position 38th
2024–25 C 1 To be determined
Total Group stage (C) 3/3 18 6 7 5 16 14 38th

Honours

Friendly

  • ECO Cup
    • Third place (1): 1993
  • UAE International Cup
    • Third place (1): 2009

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Azerbaiyán para niños

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