Georgia national football team facts for kids
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Nickname(s) | ჯვაროსნები Jvarosnebi (The Crusaders) |
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Association | Georgian Football Federation (GFF) | ||
Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
Head coach | Willy Sagnol | ||
Captain | Guram Kashia | ||
Most caps | Guram Kashia (124) | ||
Top scorer | Shota Arveladze (26) | ||
Home stadium | Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena (main) Adjarabet Arena (second) Mikheil Meskhi Stadium & Ramaz Shengelia Stadium (third) |
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FIFA code | GEO | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 91 ![]() |
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Highest | 42 (September 1998) | ||
Lowest | 156 (March 1994) | ||
Elo ranking | |||
Current | 69 ![]() |
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Highest | 49 (11 October 1995) | ||
Lowest | 108 (late 2009) | ||
First international | |||
Unofficial![]() ![]() (Tbilisi, Georgian SSR; December 1926) Official ![]() ![]() (Kaunas, Lithuania; 2 September 1992) |
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Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Tbilisi, Georgia; 12 October 2023) |
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Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Tbilisi, Georgia; 8 September 2023) |
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European Championship | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2024) | ||
Best result | Round of 16 (2024) |
The Georgia national football team represents Georgia in international men's football games. The team is managed by the Georgian Football Federation. This group controls football in Georgia.
Georgia is a member of UEFA (Europe) and FIFA (global competitions). Their first match was on May 27, 1990, against Lithuania. At that time, Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union.
The team has tried to qualify for major tournaments since Euro 1996. They finally made it to their first big tournament, the UEFA Euro 2024. They qualified by beating Greece in a play-off final.
People often call the team Jvarosnebi, which means The Crusaders. Their symbol is Saint George, who is a patron saint of Georgia. When Georgia joined FIFA, they were ranked 156th. They reached their highest rank of 42nd in 1998. The team plays its home games at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi.
Contents
History of Georgian Football
Early Days of Football
Football came to Georgia in the early 1900s. English sailors brought the sport when their ships docked in Poti and Batumi. Local players, who played a traditional game called Lelo burti, quickly learned and loved football. The first mention of football in Georgian newspapers was in 1890.
From 1923 to 1990, Georgian players were part of the USSR national team. Two Georgians, Murtaz Khurtsilava and Aleksandre Chivadze, even captained the USSR team. Georgian players helped the USSR team a lot. For example, Slava Metreveli scored in the 1960 European Nations' Cup final. Murtaz Khurtsilava was a key player in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, where the USSR finished fourth. Other famous Georgian players from that time include Vitaly Daraselia, David Kipiani, Ramaz Shengelia, and Vladimir Gutsaev.
Georgia's Own Team Begins
After the Soviet Union, Georgia formed its own national football team in 1990. Their first international match was against Lithuania on May 27, 1990. The game was a 2–2 draw. This was before Georgia declared its independence on April 9, 1991.
The Georgian Football Federation joined UEFA and FIFA in 1992. This allowed Georgia to play in official competitions. Their first competitive match was a 1–0 loss to Moldova in September 1994. This was part of the qualifiers for Euro 1996. Georgia finished third in their group.
Georgia did not qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France. They finished fourth in their group. Around this time, Georgia reached its highest FIFA World Ranking of 42nd place.
21st Century Challenges and Successes
Georgia continued to try and qualify for major tournaments. They did not make it to UEFA Euro 2000 or Euro 2004. However, they did beat Russia in a qualifier for Euro 2004. They also did not qualify for the 2006 World Cup or Euro 2008.
In June 2016, Georgia had a big friendly win. They beat Spain 1–0, who were two-time European champions.
In 2018, Georgia made history in the new UEFA Nations League. They were the first team to win promotion in the tournament. They won their group in League D with two games left. This earned them their first-ever chance to play in a major tournament play-off.
For UEFA Euro 2020, Georgia beat Belarus in the play-off semi-final. This gave them hope for qualification. But they lost to North Macedonia in the final match. So, they missed out on Euro 2020.
Georgia showed great improvement by beating Sweden 2–0 in a 2022 World Cup qualification match in November 2021. They continued to get better. They won their group in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League C. This meant they were promoted to 2024-25 UEFA Nations League B. It also gave them another play-off chance for Euro 2024.
Georgia won 2–0 against Luxembourg in the play-off semi-final. This put them in the final of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs. They then beat Greece 4–2 in a penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw. This amazing win guaranteed Georgia's first-ever spot in a major international tournament, Euro 2024.
Euro 2024 Journey
At Euro 2024, Georgia was in Group F. They lost 3–1 to Turkey. In that match, Georges Mikautadze scored Georgia's first-ever goal in the Euros. They then drew 1–1 with the Czech Republic.
Their 2–0 victory against Portugal was a huge surprise. Many called it one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history. This win was enough to send Georgia to the Round of 16 in their first tournament. In the Round of 16, Georgia played against Spain, who later became champions. Georgia lost 4–1. Georges Mikautadze finished Euro 2024 as one of the top goalscorers.
Recent Matches and Schedule
Here are some recent match results and upcoming games for Georgia.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2024 Matches
7 September 2024 2024–25 Nations League | Georgia ![]() |
4–1 | ![]() |
Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 |
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Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium Attendance: 20,401 Referee: Orel Grinfeld (Israel) |
10 September 2024 2024–25 Nations League | Albania ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Tirana, Albania |
20:45 | Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Attendance: 20,400 Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium) |
11 October 2024 2024–25 Nations League | Ukraine ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Poznań, Poland |
20:45 | Stadium: Poznań Stadium Attendance: 21,700 Referee: Julian Weinberger (Austria) |
14 October 2024 2024–25 Nations League | Georgia ![]() |
0–1 | ![]() |
Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 | Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium Attendance: 19,981 Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands) |
16 November 2024 2024–25 Nations League | Georgia ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Batumi, Georgia |
21:00 | Stadium: Adjarabet Arena Attendance: 19,120 Referee: Chris Kavanagh (England) |
19 November 2024 2024–25 Nations League | Czech Republic ![]() |
2–1 | ![]() |
Olomouc, Czech Republic |
20:45 | Stadium: Andrův stadion Attendance: 12,221 Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou (Greece) |
2025 Matches
20 March 2025 2024–25 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs | Armenia ![]() |
0–3 | ![]() |
Yerevan, Armenia |
21:00 | Stadium: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium Attendance: 14,414 Referee: Radu Petrescu (Romania) |
23 March 2025 2024–25 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs | Georgia ![]() |
6–1 (9–1 agg.) |
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Tbilisi, Georgia |
18:00 | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena Attendance: 47,903 Referee: Anthony Taylor (England) |
5 June 2025 Friendly | Georgia ![]() |
1–0 | ![]() |
Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena Referee: Jasper Vergoote (Belgium) |
8 June 2025 Friendly | Georgia ![]() |
1–1 | ![]() |
Kutaisi, Georgia |
20:00 | Stadium: Ramaz Shengelia Stadium Attendance: 9,940 Referee: Henrik Nalbandyan (Armenia) |
4 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Georgia ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Tbilisi, Georgia |
20:00 | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena |
7 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Georgia ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Tbilisi, Georgia |
17:00 | Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena |
11 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Spain ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Barcelona, Spain |
20:45 | Stadium: RCDE Stadium |
14 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Turkey ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Turkey |
21:45 |
15 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Georgia ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Georgia |
21:00 |
18 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification | Bulgaria ![]() |
v | ![]() |
Sofia, Bulgaria |
21:45 | Stadium: Vasil Levski National Stadium |
Coaching Team
The coaching staff helps the team play its best.
Position | Name |
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Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Manager | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Goalkeeping Coach | ![]() |
Analyst | ![]() ![]() |
Fitness Trainer | ![]() |
Team Players
Current Squad Members
These players were chosen for the friendly matches against Faroe Islands (June 5) and Cape Verde (June 8). Budu Zivzivadze and Giorgi Zaria had to leave due to injuries. Davit Volkovi joined as a replacement.
Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of June 9, 2025, after the match against Cape Verde.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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1 | GK | Giorgi Loria | 27 January 1986 | 79 | 0 | ![]() |
12 | GK | Davit Kereselidze | 19 August 1999 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
23 | GK | Luka Gugeshashvili | 29 April 1999 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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2 | DF | Guram Giorbelidze | 25 February 1996 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
3 | DF | Lasha Dvali | 14 May 1995 | 45 | 1 | ![]() |
4 | DF | Luka Lochoshvili | 29 May 1998 | 23 | 2 | ![]() |
5 | DF | Iva Gelashvili | 8 April 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
13 | DF | Giorgi Gocholeishvili | 14 February 2001 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
15 | DF | Giorgi Gvelesiani | 5 May 1991 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
16 | DF | Saba Kharebashvili | 3 September 2008 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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6 | MF | Shota Nonikashvili | 10 January 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
7 | MF | Anzor Mekvabishvili | 5 June 2001 | 23 | 0 | ![]() |
8 | MF | Sandro Altunashvili | 19 May 1997 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
9 | MF | Saba Lobzhanidze | 18 December 1994 | 40 | 4 | ![]() |
10 | MF | Nika Kvekveskiri | 29 May 1992 | 62 | 0 | ![]() |
17 | MF | Vladimer Mamuchashvili | 29 August 1997 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
19 | MF | Levan Shengelia | 27 October 1995 | 23 | 1 | ![]() |
20 | MF | Nika Gagnidze | 20 March 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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11 | FW | Giorgi Kvilitaia | 1 October 1993 | 40 | 6 | ![]() |
14 | FW | Giorgi Beridze | 12 May 1997 | 10 | 1 | ![]() |
18 | FW | Davit Volkovi | 3 June 1995 | 7 | 2 | ![]() |
21 | FW | Giorgi Guliashvili | 5 September 2001 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
22 | FW | Giorgi Gagua | 10 October 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Other Players Called Up Recently
These players were not chosen for the latest matches but have played for the team in the last 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Giorgi Mamardashvili | 29 September 2000 | 29 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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DF | Guram Kashia | 4 July 1987 | 124 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Otar Kakabadze | 27 June 1995 | 73 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Irakli Azarovi | 21 February 2002 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Saba Goglichidze | 25 June 2004 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Luka Latsabidze | 18 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Solomon Kvirkvelia | 6 February 1992 | 62 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Aleksandre Kalandadze | 9 May 2001 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Jemal Tabidze | 18 March 1996 | 15 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Luka Gadrani | 12 April 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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MF | Giorgi Zaria | 14 July 1997 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Otar Kiteishvili | 26 March 1996 | 47 | 4 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Zuriko Davitashvili | 15 February 2001 | 46 | 6 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Giorgi Chakvetadze | 29 August 1999 | 37 | 10 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Giorgi Tsitaishvili | 18 November 2000 | 25 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Giorgi Kochorashvili | 29 June 1999 | 19 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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FW | Budu Zivzivadze | 10 March 1994 | 36 | 8 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | 12 February 2001 | 41 | 18 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Georges Mikautadze | 31 October 2000 | 37 | 20 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to injury |
Team Records
Here are some records for the Georgia national football team. Players in bold are still playing for Georgia.
Most Games Played
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Guram Kashia | 124 | 3 | 2009–present |
2 | Jaba Kankava | 101 | 10 | 2004–2024 |
3 | Levan Kobiashvili | 100 | 12 | 1996–2011 |
4 | Zurab Khizanishvili | 92 | 1 | 1999–2015 |
5 | Kakha Kaladze | 83 | 1 | 1996–2011 |
6 | Giorgi Loria | 79 | 0 | 2008–2025 |
7 | Otar Kakabadze | 73 | 0 | 2015–present |
8 | Giorgi Nemsadze | 69 | 0 | 1992–2004 |
9 | Aleksandre Iashvili | 67 | 15 | 1996–2011 |
10 | Gocha Jamarauli | 62 | 6 | 1994–2004 |
Nika Kvekveskiri | 62 | 0 | 2015–present | |
Solomon Kvirkvelia | 62 | 0 | 2014–present | |
Valeri Qazaishvili | 62 | 13 | 2014–2022 |
Top Goal Scorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | Shota Arveladze | 26 | 61 | 0.43 | 1992–2007 |
2 | Georges Mikautadze | 20 | 37 | 0.54 | 2021–present |
3 | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | 18 | 41 | 0.44 | 2019–present |
4 | Temur Ketsbaia | 17 | 52 | 0.33 | 1990–2003 |
5 | Aleksandre Iashvili | 15 | 67 | 0.22 | 1996–2011 |
6 | Tornike Okriashvili | 13 | 50 | 0.26 | 2010–2021 |
Valeri Qazaishvili | 13 | 62 | 0.21 | 2014–2022 | |
8 | Giorgi Demetradze | 12 | 56 | 0.21 | 1996–2007 |
Levan Kobiashvili | 12 | 100 | 0.12 | 1996–2011 | |
10 | Giorgi Chakvetadze | 10 | 37 | 0.27 | 2018–present |
Jaba Kankava | 10 | 101 | 0.1 | 2004–2024 |
Tournament History
FIFA World Cup Appearances
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Position | |
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Part of the ![]() |
Part of the ![]() |
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FIFA member from 1992. Not admitted to the tournament. | Not admitted to the tournament | ||||||||||||||
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Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 4/5 | ||||||||
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8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 3/5 | |||||||||
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12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 25 | 6/7 | |||||||||
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10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 19 | 6/6 | |||||||||
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8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 4/5 | |||||||||
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10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 5/6 | |||||||||
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8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 12 | 4/5 | |||||||||
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To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
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Total | 0/7 | 64 | 11 | 17 | 36 | 57 | 101 | — |
UEFA European Championship Appearances
UEFA European Championship record | UEFA European Championship qualifying record | |||||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Position | ||
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Part of the ![]() |
Part of the ![]() |
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Did not qualify | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 13 | 3/6 | ||||||||||
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10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 18 | 6/6 | |||||||||||
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8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 5/5 | |||||||||||
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12 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 19 | 6/7 | |||||||||||
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10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 5/6 | |||||||||||
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10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 16 | 5/6 | |||||||||||
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10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 4/5 (PO runners-up) | |||||||||||
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Round of 16 | 15th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | Squad | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 4/5 (PO winners) | ||
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To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
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Total | Round of 16 | 1/8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | — | 80 | 22 | 13 | 45 | 85 | 119 | — |
UEFA Nations League History
UEFA Nations League record | |||||||||||
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Season | League | Group | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | RK |
2018–19 | D | 1 | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ![]() |
40th |
2020–21 | C | 2 | 3rd | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 6 | ![]() |
42nd |
2022–23 | C | 4 | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 3 | ![]() |
33rd |
2024–25 | B | 1 | 3rd | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 7 | ![]() |
26th |
Total | 26 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 50 | 18 | 26th |
Team Achievements
Friendly Tournaments
- Malta International Football Tournament
- Champions (1): 1998
More About Georgian Football
- Football in Georgia
- List of Georgia international footballers
- Georgia national football team results (1990–2019)
- Georgia national football team results (2020–present)
- List of Georgian national football team captains
- Georgia national under-21 football team
- Georgia national under-19 football team
- Georgia national under-17 football team
- Georgia national futsal team
- Georgia national beach soccer team
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Georgia para niños