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Cyprus national football team facts for kids

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This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Cyprus women's national football team.
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Cyprus
Shirt badge/Association crest
Association Cyprus Football Association (CFA)
Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Ποδοσφαίρου
Kıbrıs Futbol Federasyonu
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Sofronis Avgousti
Captain Kostakis Artymatas
Most caps Ioannis Okkas (103)
Top scorer Michalis Konstantinou (32)
Home stadium AEK Arena
FIFA code CYP
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 87 Decrease 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 43 (September 2010)
Lowest 142 (June 2014)
Elo ranking
Current 102 Increase 2 (3 March 2019)
Highest 69 (22 March 2000)
Lowest 141 (March 1992)
First international
Unofficial:
 Israel 3–1 Cyprus 
(Tel Aviv; 30 July 1949)
Official:
 Cyprus 1–1 Israel 
(Nicosia; 13 November 1960)
Biggest win
 Cyprus 5–0 Andorra 
(Limassol; 15 November 2000)
 Cyprus 5–0 Andorra 
(Nicosia; 16 November 2014)
 Cyprus 5–0 San Marino 
(Nicosia; 21 March 2019)
Biggest defeat
 West Germany 12–0 Cyprus 
(Essen; 21 May 1969)

The Cyprus national football team represents Cyprus in international men's football games. It is managed by the Cyprus Football Association. The team plays its home games at the AEK Arena in Larnaca.

History of Cyprus Football

How it All Started: Early Matches

The Cyprus team played its first match on 23 July 1949. This was a friendly game against Maccabi Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv, which ended in a 3–3 draw. Just seven days later, they played their first official international game against Israel in the same city, losing 3–1.

After Cyprus gained independence from British rule in 1960, the team played its first official post-independence match. They drew 1–1 against Israel on 13 November 1960. This game was part of the qualifiers for the 1962 FIFA World Cup.

Cyprus got its first international win on 27 November 1963, beating Greece 3–1 in a friendly match. On 17 February 1968, the team won its first competitive game. They defeated Switzerland 2–1 in a European Championship qualifier held in Nicosia.

Big Moments: Famous Wins and Draws

In 1974, the national team had a memorable victory, beating Northern Ireland 1–0 in Nicosia. On 12 February 1983, Cyprus achieved an impressive 1–1 draw against world champions Italy in Limassol. A month later, they drew 1–1 again, this time against Czechoslovakia.

Four years later, in the Euro 1988 qualifiers, Cyprus earned its first point in an away match against Poland. In 1989, they drew 1–1 with France in a World Cup qualifying game. The team finally got its first away win in 1992, beating the Faroe Islands 2–0.

The team's performance in qualifying tournaments improved over the years. In the qualifiers for the 1996 UEFA European Championship, Cyprus drew 1–1 with the defending champions Denmark. For UEFA Euro 2000, they had strong wins, including 3–2 victories against Spain and Israel, and a 4–0 win over San Marino.

The 2000s: Surprises and Strong Performances

Cyprus national football team 2012
Cyprus national team against Bulgaria in 2012.

On 15 November 2000, Cyprus achieved its biggest win ever, beating Andorra 5–0 in Limassol. This was during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. On 7 October 2006, Cyprus caused a big surprise by beating the Republic of Ireland 5–2 in Nicosia. Michalis Konstantinou and Constantinos Charalambidis each scored two goals in that game.

Just one month later, on 15 November 2006, they surprised everyone again. They held previous World Cup hosts Germany to a 1–1 draw at home. On 13 October 2007, Cyprus beat Wales 3–1 in Nicosia. A few days later, they almost won away against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, but the game ended 1–1.

The 2010s: Close Calls and Big Wins

On 3 September 2010, Cyprus earned a historic 4–4 draw against Portugal in Guimarães during the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

During the Euro 2016 qualification, Cyprus had one of its most famous victories. They defeated 2014 World Cup participant Bosnia 2–1 in Zenica. In the final group match, Cyprus needed a win against Bosnia to finish 3rd and hoped Belgium would beat Israel. Bosnia won 3–2, and Cyprus narrowly missed out on a play-off spot for the first time.

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Cyprus finished 5th in their group. They had an impressive 3–2 home victory over Bosnia in this campaign.

The 2020s: Challenges and Progress

In the Euro 2020 qualifiers, Cyprus beat San Marino 5–0. However, they lost to stronger teams like Belgium and Scotland. Despite a 2–1 away win against Kazakhstan, they finished 4th in their group.

The 2020–21 UEFA Nations League was tough for Cyprus. They lost their first three games. They later drew 0–0 with Azerbaijan and beat Luxembourg 2–1 at home. However, they finished last in their group. This meant they had to play Estonia in relegation play-offs. Cyprus won 2–0 on total score, thanks to goals from Marinos Tzionis and Pieros Sotiriou.

Results did not improve much in the next Nations League competition. Cyprus finished last in their group with Greece, Kosovo, and Northern Ireland. They earned five points from one win and two draws.

In the 2024 Euro qualifiers, Cyprus lost all eight of their games. This was their toughest Euro qualification campaign ever, based on points and goal difference.

Team Uniforms

On 7 October 2006, Diadora showed off Cyprus' new uniform. It featured a map of Cyprus in amber on the shoulder and sleeve. A green line ran down the middle, showing the island's division. This uniform was used for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying phase.

Adidas then made Cyprus' uniforms for the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers. In 2018, Macron took over from Adidas. This was part of UEFA's program to help teams with their kits.

Kit provider Period
Italy Lotto 0000–2000
Italy Errea 2000–2002
England Umbro 2002–2006
Italy Diadora 2006–2008
Germany Adidas 2008–2018
Italy Macron 2018–2022
Italy Errea 2022–present

Home Stadiums

Since late 2021, the Cyprus national team plays its home games at the Georgios Karapatakis AEK Arena in Larnaca.

Before this, home matches were played at different stadiums across the country. Until 1974, Cyprus used the old GSP Stadium in central Nicosia or the GSE Stadium in Famagusta. After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, some games were played at the Tsirion Stadium in Limassol and the Makario Stadium in Nicosia.

In 1999, the new New GSP Stadium in Nicosia became the team's home. However, in 2008, a change in sponsorship meant some World Cup qualifying games were played at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca. Cyprus returned to the GSP Stadium for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers but has not played there since September 2021.

Recent Matches and Schedule

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

Here are the results from the last 12 months and upcoming matches.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

Team Coaches

Manager Cyprus Sofronis Avgousti
Assistant Manager Cyprus Christos Panteli
Assistant Manager Cyprus Panayiotis Engomitis
Goalkeeping Coach Cyprus Nicos Constantinidis
Physical Trainer Cyprus Panicos Sakki
Physical Trainer Cyprus Ioakim Ioakim
Match Analyst Cyprus Giorgos Christodoulou

Who Has Coached the Team?

The Cyprus national football team has had many coaches over the years. Here is a list of some of them:

  • Greece Argyrios Gavalas (1960–1967)
  • Cyprus Pambos Avraamidis (1968–1969)
  • England Ray Wood (1970–1971)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Sima Milovanov (1972)
  • Cyprus Pambos Avraamidis (1972–1974)
  • Cyprus Panikos Iakovou (1974)
  • Cyprus Pambos Avraamidis (1975)
  • Cyprus Kostas Talianos (1976)
  • Cyprus Panikos Krystallis (1976–1977)
  • Cyprus Andreas Lazarides (1977)
  • Cyprus Kostas Talianos (1978–1982)
  • Bulgaria Vasil Spasov (1982–1984)
  • Cyprus Panikos Iakovou (1984–1987)
  • Cyprus Takis Charalambous (1987)
  • Cyprus Panikos Iakovou (1988–1991)
  • Cyprus Andreas Michaelides (1991–1996)
  • Cyprus Stavros Papadopoulos (1997)
  • Cyprus Panikos Georgiou (1997–1999)
  • Cyprus Stavros Papadopoulos (1999–2001)
  • Cyprus Takis Charalambous (2001)
  • Serbia and Montenegro Momčilo Vukotić (2001–2004)
  • Greece Angelos Anastasiadis (2005–2011)
  • Greece Nikos Nioplias (2011–2013)
  • Cyprus Pambos Christodoulou (2014–2015)
  • Cyprus Christakis Christoforou (2015–2017)
  • Israel Ran Ben Shimon (2017–2020)
  • Belgium Johan Walem (2020–2021)
  • Greece Nikos Kostenoglou (2021–2022)
  • Georgia (country) Temur Ketsbaia (2022–2024)
  • Cyprus Sofronis Avgousti (2024–)

Cyprus National Team Players

Current Team Squad

The players listed below were chosen for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League matches in October 2024.

Caps (games played) and goals are updated as of 8 October 2024.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
22 1GK Joël Mall (1991-04-05) 5 April 1991 (age 34) 13 0 Switzerland Servette
22 1GK Neofytos Michail (1993-12-16) 16 December 1993 (age 31) 15 0 Cyprus Pafos
13 1GK Demetris Demetriou (1999-01-15) 15 January 1999 (age 26) 9 0 Cyprus Apollon Limassol
2 2DF Andreas Karo (1996-09-09) 9 September 1996 (age 28) 25 1 Israel Maccabi Petah Tikva
4 2DF Nicholas Ioannou (1995-11-10) 10 November 1995 (age 29) 48 2 Italy Como
14 2DF Kostas Pileas (1998-12-11) 11 December 1998 (age 26) 8 1 Cyprus Pafos FC
16 2DF Stelios Andreou (2002-07-24) 24 July 2002 (age 22) 21 0 Belgium Charleroi
18 2DF Nikolas Panayiotou (2000-05-12) 12 May 2000 (age 25) 13 0 Cyprus Omonia
19 2DF Konstantinos Laifis (1993-05-19) 19 May 1993 (age 32) 60 3 Cyprus APOEL FC
18 2DF Minas Antoniou (1994-02-22) 22 February 1994 (age 31) 20 0 Cyprus Karmiotissa FC
7 2DF Marios Stylianou (1993-09-23) 23 September 1993 (age 31) 6 0 Cyprus Ethnikos Achna FC
5 3MF Charalampos Charalampous (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 (age 23) 15 1 Cyprus Omonia
6 3MF Alex Gogić (1994-04-13) 13 April 1994 (age 31) 33 0 Scotland St Mirren
8 3MF Ioannis Kousoulos (1996-06-14) 14 June 1996 (age 29) 41 4 Cyprus Omonia
20 3MF Grigoris Kastanos (1998-01-30) 30 January 1998 (age 27) 64 6 Italy Hellas Verona
18 3MF Kostakis Artymatas (1993-04-15) 15 April 1993 (age 32) 71 1 Cyprus Anorthosis Famagusta FC
18 3MF Rafail Mamas (2001-03-04) 4 March 2001 (age 24) 2 0 Cyprus AEL Limassol
12 3MF Andreas Chrysostomou (2001-01-14) 14 January 2001 (age 24) 4 0 Cyprus Anorthosis Famagusta FC
9 4FW Ioannis Pittas (1996-07-10) 10 July 1996 (age 28) 43 7 Sweden AIK
10 4FW Loizos Loizou (2003-07-18) 18 July 2003 (age 21) 32 1 Cyprus Omonia
11 4FW Andronikos Kakoullis (2001-05-03) 3 May 2001 (age 24) 22 4 Cyprus Omonia
21 4FW Stavros Gavriel (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 23) 3 0 Belgium S.V. Zulte Waregem
23 4FW Marios Ilia (1996-05-19) 19 May 1996 (age 29) 14 1 Cyprus Pafos FC
10 4FW Pieros Sotiriou (1993-01-13) 13 January 1993 (age 32) 60 12 Japan Sanfrecce Hiroshima
21 4FW Marinos Tzionis (2001-07-16) 16 July 2001 (age 23) 27 2 Serbia Čukarički

Other Players Called Up Recently

These players have also been called up to the Cyprus squad in the last year and might be chosen again.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Konstantinos Panagi (1994-10-08) 8 October 1994 (age 30) 28 0 Cyprus AC Omonia v.  San Marino, 11 June 2024
DF Andreas Panayiotou Filiotis (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 (age 30) 7 0 Cyprus Apollon Limassol v.  Moldova, 8 June 2024
DF Marios Antoniades (1990-05-14) 14 May 1990 (age 35) 25 0 Cyprus Doxa Katokopias v.  Serbia, 25 March 2024
DF Pavlos Korrea (1998-07-14) 14 July 1998 (age 26) 4 0 Greece Volos v.  San Marino, 11 June 2024
DF Giorgos Malekkidis (1997-07-14) 14 July 1997 (age 27) 4 0 Cyprus Apollon Limassol FC v.  Kosovo, 9 September 2024
DF Anderson Correia (1991-05-06) 6 May 1991 (age 34) 11 0 Cyprus Aris Limassol FC v.  Kosovo, 9 September 2024
MF Hector Kyprianou (2001-05-27) 27 May 2001 (age 24) 10 0 England Peterborough United F.C. v.  Kosovo, 9 September 2024
MF Danilo Špoljarić (1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 25) 16 1 Cyprus Apollon Limassol FC v.  Kosovo, 9 September 2024
FW Andreas Katsantonis (2000-02-16) 16 February 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Poland Piast Gliwice v.  Kosovo, 9 September 2024
FW Ruel Sotiriou (2000-08-24) 24 August 2000 (age 24) 1 0 England Bristol Rovers F.C. v.  Serbia, 25 March 2024
  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
  • PRE Preliminary squad.
  • RET Retired from international football.
  • SUS Suspended

Player Records: Who Played the Most and Scored the Most?

Players in bold are still playing for Cyprus.

Most Games Played (Appearances)

Ioannis Okkas1
Ioannis Okkas has played the most games for Cyprus, with 103 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Ioannis Okkas 103 27 1997–2011
2 Constantinos Charalambidis 93 12 2003–2017
3 Michalis Konstantinou 84 32 1997–2012
4 Pambos Pittas 82 7 1987–1999
5 Constantinos Makrides 77 5 2004–2016
6 Nicos Panayiotou 74 0 1994–2006
7 Demetris Christofi 72 9 2008–present
8 Elias Charalambous 69 0 2002–2017
Chrysis Michael 69 7 2000–2017
Giorgos Theodotou 69 0 1996–2008

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Michalis Konstantinou 32 86 0.37 1997–2012
2 Ioannis Okkas 27 103 0.26 1997–2011
3 Pieros Sotiriou 12 60 0.2 2012–present
Constantinos Charalambidis 12 93 0.13 2003–2017
5 Efstathios Aloneftis 10 62 0.11 2005–2017
6 Marios Agathokleous 9 38 0.24 1994–2003
Demetris Christofi 9 72 0.13 2008–present
8 Fivos Vrahimis 8 18 0.44 1977–1982
Milenko Špoljarić 8 21 0.38 1997–2001
Siniša Gogić 8 37 0.22 1994–1999
Andreas Sotiriou 8 39 0.21 1991–1999

Team Achievements

Friendly Tournaments

  • Cyprus International Football Tournament
    • Champions (2): 1998, 2000

Images for kids

  • Cyprus national football team 2012

    Cyprus national team against Bulgaria in 2012.

  • Ioannis Okkas1

    Ioannis Okkas is Cyprus' most capped player with 103 appearances.

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