kids encyclopedia robot

North Macedonia national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see North Macedonia women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
North Macedonia
Nickname(s)
  • Рисови
    Risovi (Lynxes)
  • Лавови
    Lavovi (Lions)
Association Football Federation of Macedonia
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Blagoja Milevski
Captain Enis Bardhi
Most caps Goran Pandev (122)
Top scorer Goran Pandev (38)
Home stadium Toše Proeski Arena
FIFA code MKD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 71 Decrease 3 (7 February 2019)
Highest 46 (October 2008)
Lowest 166 (March 2017)
Elo ranking
Current 77 Increase 1 (3 March 2019)
Highest 41 (12 April 2017)
Lowest 113 (January 2017)
First international
 Slovenia 1–4 Macedonia 
(Kranj, Slovenia; 13 October 1993)
Biggest win
 Liechtenstein 1–11 Macedonia 
(Eschen, Liechtenstein; 9 November 1996)
Biggest defeat
 England 7–0 North Macedonia 
(Manchester, England; 19 June 2023)
European Championship
Appearances 1 (first in 2020)
Best result Group stage (2020)
Website ffm.mk

The North Macedonia men's national football team (Macedonian: Фудбалска репрезентација на Северна Македонија, romanized: Fudbalska reprezentacija na Severna Makedonija, represents North Macedonia in men's international football, and is administered by the Football Federation of Macedonia. The team play their home matches at the Toše Proeski National Arena in Skopje.

North Macedonia have been rising in football in recent years, reaching Euro 2020 (their first major tournament) and the European qualifying play-off final of the 2022 World Cup (after defeating Germany in Duisburg and Italy in Palermo).

History

The National team was represented within the Federal team since 1919. Between 1945 and 1992, SR Macedonia was ineligible to play as a team for official matches. The team had mostly played exhibition matches against teams from other republics of SFR Yugoslavia and was represented by Macedonian players under the traditional red, yellow and white colors. As an independent team, it started to compete on international level after the split of the federation in 1991.

Early years (1993–96)

Soccer Field Transparant.svg

Z. Micevski
Jovanovski
Grozdanov
Najdoski
Markovski
Kanatlarovski
T. Micevski
Boškovski
The squad on the first official international match against Slovenia on 13 October 1993

In 1994, the Republic of Macedonia became a single member of FIFA and UEFA after the independence and split of the Yugoslavia. They recorded their first match as a 4–1 victory against Slovenia in a friendly on 13 October 1993 under coach Andon Dončevski.

They went on to win their next two friendlies against Slovenia and Estonia.

Euro 1996 qualifiers

Main page: UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying Group 2

The Euro '96 qualifiers was the first major qualifying tournament that Macedonia participated in as an independent nation, grouped with Spain, Denmark, Belgium, Cyprus and Armenia. In their opening game, which was also their first ever official match, Macedonia played the reigning European champions Denmark, finishing 1–1 after Macedonia led for most of the game. In Euro '96 qualifying, Macedonia suffered one of its worst-ever defeats, 5–0 to Belgium on 7 June 1995. They failed to qualify for Euro '96, finishing fourth in the group with seven points.

Hadžievski, Kanatlarovski and Jovanovski's era (1996–2001)

1998 World Cup qualifiers

Main page: 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 8

Macedonia's first qualifying attempt for the World Cup saw them grouped with Romania, Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

The tournament began on 24 April 1996 with a 3–0 win at home against Liechtenstein. On 9 November 1996, Macedonia recorded their biggest ever, an 11–1 thrashing of Liechtenstein. Macedonia defeated the Republic of Ireland 3–2 at home, their first win over a major European team, but failed again to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France, finishing fourth in the group on 13 points.

Euro 2000 qualifiers

Main page: UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying Group 8

Macedonia's journey to qualify for the Euro 2000 tournament in the Netherlands and Belgium saw them grouped with FR Yugoslavia, Republic of Ireland, Croatia, and Malta. They once again opened their qualifying campaign with a win after beating Malta 4–0 at home on 6 September 1998. Their most notable result in the campaign was a 1–1 draw against Croatia in June 1999, with an equalizer of Gjorgji Hristov 10 minutes before the end of the game. They helped Yugoslavia to qualify directly and eliminate Croatia because they drew 1–1 against the Republic of Ireland with a last-minute equalizer of Goran Stavrevski. However, they failed to qualify again, finishing fourth in the group with eight points.

2002 World Cup qualifiers

Main page: 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 4

Macedonia's 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign saw them grouped with Sweden, Turkey, Slovakia, Moldova, and Azerbaijan. They were unsuccessful in their opening match, going down to Slovakia 2–0 in Bratislava on 3 September 2000. The Macedonians once again failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup as they finished fourth in the group with seven points.

Ups and downs (2001–06)

Euro 2004 qualifiers

Main page: UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying Group 7

The Euro 2004 Qualifiers saw Macedonia grouped alongside England, Turkey, Slovakia, and Liechtenstein. Macedonia played England in Southampton, England's first home game in Southampton in almost 100 years. Macedonia grabbed the lead early in the first half after Artim Šakiri scored directly from a corner kick. England soon leveled the game, before Macedonia led again. The game eventually ended 2–2. Macedonia lost to England 2–1 at home in the return leg, which took place in September 2003. Macedonia's only win of the campaign came on 7 June 2003, when they beat Liechtenstein 3–1 at home.

2006 World Cup qualifiers

Main page: 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1

Macedonia was drawn in Group 1 and was grouped with the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Romania, Finland, Armenia, and Andorra. They managed to open their campaign with a comfortable 3–0 win at home against Armenia on 18 August 2004. Macedonia did not win another home game for more than three years.

On 9 October 2004, Macedonia managed to hold the Netherlands to a surprise 2–2 draw in Skopje in front of a crowd of 17,000 at the Skopje City Stadium, but just four days later, they suffered a 1–0 loss away to Andorra. Macedonia then set a new team record for most goals conceded in a game when they lost 6–1 away to the Czech Republic in June 2005.

Macedonia went on to concede a further eight goals in the next two qualifying games, both against Finland. On 23 August 2005, coach Slobodan Santrač resigned as coach of Macedonia after just five months due to personal problems, with former player Boban Babunski temporarily taking over as coach. The resignation came just days after they were beaten 3–0 by Finland in Skopje. Despite failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Macedonia was the only team in the group to not lose against the Netherlands.

Iran tournament

Following the completion of the 2006 World Cup qualifying tournament, in November 2005, Macedonia took part in a friendly tournament in Iran consisting of four teams: Macedonia, Iran, Paraguay, and Togo. In their opening match, they won 2–1 against host nation Iran, booking a spot in the final against Paraguay, where they lost 1–0.

Agim Ibraimi (2011)
Agim wearing a yellow jersey away kit

Srečko Katanec's era and best FIFA ranking (2006–10)

Euro 2008 qualifiers

Main page: UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying Group E

On 17 February 2006, former Slovenian national team coach Srečko Katanec was appointed as the head coach and was given a two-year contract.

In the lead-up to the beginning of the qualifiers for Euro 2008, Macedonia managed two wins in friendlies, against Ecuador 2–1 in Madrid, and 1–0 Turkey. Macedonia was placed in Group E for the Euro 2008 qualifiers alongside England, Croatia, Russia, Israel, Estonia, and Andorra.

Macedonia opened its UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a 1–0 win away to Estonia on 16 August 2006. Macedonia hosted England on 6 September in their second game of the qualifiers. England went on to win 1–0; this was the first time that Macedonia failed to score against England.

A month later, on 7 October 2006, the two teams met once again in Manchester, where England was held to a 0–0 draw in front of 72,062 people. On 17 October 2007, Macedonia recorded their first win on home soil since August 2004 when they defeated Andorra 3–0 in Skopje.

Macedonia then recorded one of their most impressive wins to date when they picked up a 2–0 victory over eventual group winners Croatia on 17 November 2007; it was also a first win for Macedonia over a side that was ranked in the top ten of the FIFA World Rankings. Despite this, Macedonia failed to qualify for Euro 2008 after finishing fifth in the group with 14 points.

Vanče Šikov 2011
Vancho Shikov

2010 World Cup qualifiers

Main page: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 9

On 25 November 2007, just days after Macedonia completed its qualifying campaign for Euro 2008, the groups for European qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup were held in Durban, South Africa, where Macedonia was seeded in Pot 4 and grouped along with the Netherlands, Scotland, Norway and Iceland. Manager Srečko Katanec received a two-year extension on 21 December 2007, which meant he would be under contract through the end of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. In the lead up to the campaign, Macedonia played three friendlies against Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland, which all ended in draws.

Macedonia opened their campaign with a 1–0 home win against Scotland on 6 September 2008 when Ilčo Naumoski scored on a rebound after a missed free-kick by Goce Sedloski. Following these impressive results, Macedonia moved up 10 places to 46 in the FIFA World Rankings list for October 2008 which was their highest ever ranking. Srečko Katanec left the team following a 4–0 loss to the Netherlands in Amsterdam in April 2009 for allegedly getting into an argument with Goran Pandev.

Soon afterward, the manager of the under-21 squad, Mirsad Jonuz, became the new coach of the Macedonian senior team and was signed until the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign. On 12 August 2009, a friendly match against Spain was held at the newly built City Park Stadium in Skopje. The defending European champions won 3–2 after being 2–0 down at halftime. In September, Macedonia lost 2–0 to Scotland and then to Norway; Macedonia missed the World Cup again.

Fall and resurgence (2010–2018)

Euro 2012 qualifiers

Main page: UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group B

On 7 February 2010, Macedonia was placed in Group B for the Euro 2012 qualifiers alongside Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Armenia and Andorra. In the lead up to the qualifiers, an under-strength Macedonia side played friendlies against Azerbaijan, Romania, and Malta, winning the first two 3–1 and 1–0 respectively, and tied 1–1 against Malta later the summer.

Macedonia finished in fifth in the group with only two wins against minnows Andorra and two draws, against Armenia and Slovakia, both at home. Manager Mirsad Jonuz was dismissed on 18 June 2011 and replaced by John Toshack.

Veliče Šumulikoski 2011
Veliche Shumulikoski

2014 World Cup qualifiers

Main page: 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A

Macedonia's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign saw them grouped with Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland and Wales. In August 2012, prior to the qualifications, John Toshack would leave as manager and would be replaced by Čedomir Janevski. The national team would begin the qualification round with a loss to Croatia in Zagreb and would go on to draw against Scotland in Glasgow. They lost again to Croatia and won against Serbia in Skopje after a penalty kick taken by Agim Ibraimi. Later in qualification, the national team would go on to lose twice to the eventual group winners Belgium.

Macedonia would win against Wales and lose against Scotland at home. Around the end of September 2013, Janevski would leave the team for Belgian club R.A.E.C. Mons and would be replaced by Zoran Stratev for the last two matches. Away losses to Wales and Serbia meant they would finish last in their group.

After the qualification run, Goran Pandev, Nikolče Noveski, Veliče Šumulikoski and others would retire from the national team due to turbulent relations with the Football Federation of Macedonia. In November 2013, Boško Gjurovski would be appointed the new national team manager.

Ukro-Maki (12)
The National team before a match with Ukraine 2014

Euro 2016 qualifiers

Main page: UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group C

On 23 February 2014, Macedonia was placed in Group C for the Euro 2016 qualifiers alongside Spain, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus and Luxembourg. With 5–1 loss to Spain in Valencia, the only win they collected was against Luxembourg in Skopje.

After that match, Macedonia was brought into a run of a four losses; manager Boško Gjurovski was dismissed on 7 April 2015 and replaced by Ljubinko Drulović. Further losses ensued against Slovakia and surprisingly Luxembourg by late goal of Sébastien Thill.

In the last match against Belarus in Barysaw, Macedonia played a draw that broke the streak of seven losses. The team still ended qualification last of the group.

Горан Пандев
Goran Pandev the captain

2018 World Cup qualifiers

Main pages: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA) and 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group G

On 25 July 2015, in the middle of the Euro 2016 qualifying, the group draws for European qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup were held in Saint Petersburg. Macedonia was seeded in Pot 5 and grouped along with Spain again, for the first time with Italy, along with Albania, Israel and Liechtenstein.

In October 2015, Drulović left the national team to join Serbian club Partizan and the manager place was taken over by the former manager of Rabotnički, Igor Angelovski. That same month, 2010 UEFA Champions League champion Goran Pandev came back to the national team after two years of absence.

Macedonia started with another disappointing performance with a loss to Albania in Shkodër, with a goal scored by Bekim Balaj in the last moments of the game, in a match that was played over two days because of interruption in the 76th minute due to weather. Later on they also lost to Israel at home after missing a penalty kick by Adis Jahović. After that, the national team also lost to Italy beside their 2–1 lead with the goals scored by Ilija Nestorovski and Ferhan Hasani. At the end of 2016, Macedonia was outclassed by Spain in Granada 4–0; Macedonia had not scored a single point, the worst qualifying start in the history of the national team.

Finally, in March 2017, Macedonia recorded their first win in qualifying against Liechtenstein, 3–0. Then they lost to Spain in Skopje 2–1. They also defeated Israel away through the lone goal by Goran Pandev, which was also a first ever win against Israel. Macedonia later tied Albania in Strumica 1–1.

2018–present

2018–19 UEFA Nations League D

Main page: 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D#Group 4

In the first edition of the UEFA Nations League, Macedonia played in League D, the lowest division. Macedonia were drawn in Group 4 with Armenia, Liechtenstein and Gibraltar. The national team won the group with five wins and one loss, were promoted to the League C for the next edition of the Nations League, and were assured of a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs place.

Ukro-Maki (14)
Stefan Ristovski

Euro 2020 qualifiers

Main page: UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Group G

For UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, the newly renamed North Macedonia were placed in Group G, along with Austria, Israel, Latvia, Poland and Slovenia. North Macedonia managed two first impressive results, drawing Slovenia 1–1 away and before that, defeated Latvia 3–1 at home,. However, North Macedonia would soon fall 1–0 to Poland and 4–1 to Austria. Then, the recently renamed country recorded a 1–1 away draw to Israel, and a 2–1 win over Slovenia at home. North Macedonia then lost 2–0 away to Poland, and 2–1 away to Austria, ending up in third place.

However, due to them having successfully taken first place in the UEFA Nations League earlier, North Macedonia was able to reach the country's first ever competitive playoff in history and was scheduled against Kosovo. Eventually, in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs semi-final, North Macedonia overcame Kosovo 2–1 at home. Then they faced Georgia in the final of Path D's play-offs on 13 November in Tbilisi, winning 1–0.

2020–21 UEFA Nations League C

Main page: 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C#Group 2

After winning the League D group in the first edition of the UEFA Nations League, North Macedonia were promoted to the third division of the competition, League C. North Macedonia was drawn in Group 2 together with Armenia, Estonia and Georgia.

UEFA Euro 2020

Soccer Field Transparant.svg

Dimitrievski
Velkovski
Ristovski
Musliu
Nikolov
Ademi
Trajkovski
The starting lineup against Austria in group C at the UEFA Euro 2020
Ukro-Maki (17)
Ezgjan Alioski

North Macedonia made their Euros debut in 2020, postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All three Group C matches ended up in a loss, to Austria, Ukraine and the Netherlands; Goran Pandev equalized against Austria in the 28th minute and Ezgjan Alioski scored against Ukraine. North Macedonia was the second debutant, after Finland.

Main page: UEFA Euro 2020 Group C

UEFA Euro 2020 Group C

  • 13 June 2021 at Arena Națională, Bucharest: Austria 3–1 North Macedonia
  • 17 June 2021 at Arena Națională, Bucharest: Ukraine 2–1 North Macedonia
  • 21 June 2021 at Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam: North Macedonia 0–3 Netherlands

2022 World Cup qualifiers

For the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign, North Macedonia was drawn in Group J with Germany, Romania, Iceland, Armenia and Liechtenstein. On matchday 3, North Macedonia inflicted a 2–1 defeat on Germany in Duisburg, which was Germany's first World Cup qualification defeat since 2001 and only the third in their history. In the last two games against Armenia and Iceland, North Macedonia won both (5–0 away against Armenia, 3–1 against Iceland) to put them in 2nd in Group J. Qualifying for the play-offs, they defeated reigning European champions Italy in Palermo on 24 March 2022, and faced Portugal in the play-off final on 29 March where they lost 2–0.

Main page: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group J

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group J

Main page: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA second round#Path C
 
 Semi-finals Final
 
            
 
 24 March 2022 – Porto
 
 
  Portugal 3
 
 29 March 2022 – Porto
 
  Turkey 1
 
  Portugal 2
 
 24 March 2022 – Palermo
 
  Macedonia 0
 
  Italy 0
 
 
  Macedonia 1
 

2022–23 UEFA Nations League C and Euro 2024 qualification

Main pages: 2022–23 UEFA Nations League C#Group 4 and UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying

North Macedonia played in the UEFA Nations League against Georgia, Gibraltar, and Bulgaria. In the end they managed to get the third place. Meanwhile, in the Euro 2024 qualifying, North Macedonia failed to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2024, finishing fourth in their group after England, Italy, Ukraine and above Malta.

Team image

Stadiums

  • Arena Filip Vtori 3014wiki
  • Стадион Младост Струмица
  • Tetovo Stadium
  • PrilepStadionGoceDelchev
Number of
matches		 Stadium First international Last international
122 Toše Proeski Arena, Skopje 23 March 1994 20 November 2023
5 Stadion Goce Delčev, Prilep 27 March 1996 15 November 2011
5 Stadion Mladost, Strumica 12 April 1995 17 October 2023
1 Gradski stadion, Tetovo 14 May 1994 14 May 1994
1 Gradski stadion, Kumanovo 29 September 1998 29 September 1998

Kit sponsorship
UEFA Euro 2020 Debut Kit
Kit supplier Period
Germany Adidas 1992–1993
Italy Gems 1994–1998
Germany Puma 1998–2014
Germany Jako 2015–present

Results and fixtures

Main pages: Macedonia national football team results and North Macedonia national football team results

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

2023

2024

Coaching history

Updated on 25 March 2024

Name First game Last game P W D L GF GA GD Win % Achievements
North Macedonia North Macedonia Doncevski, AndonAndon Dončevski 13 October 1993 15 November 1995 &&&&&&&&&&&&&017.&&&&&017 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&&&&&023 &&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&&&&&023 +0 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.41000029.41
North Macedonia Hadzievski, GjokoGjoko Hadžievski 27 March 1996 9 June 1999 &&&&&&&&&&&&&028.&&&&&028 &&&&&&&&&&&&&010.&&&&&010 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&042.&&&&&042 &&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037 +5 &&&&&&&&&&&&&035.71000035.71
North Macedonia Kanatlarovski, DragiDragi Kanatlarovski 5 September 1999 13 February 2005 &&&&&&&&&&&&&031.&&&&&031 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&032.&&&&&032 &&&&&&&&&&&&&037.&&&&&037 −5 &&&&&&&&&&&&&025.81000025.81
North Macedonia Jovanovski, GjoreGjore Jovanovski 2 June 2001 10 January 2002 &&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&027.&&&&&027 −18 &0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00.00
North Macedonia Ilievski, NikolaNikola Ilievski 27 March 2002 11 June 2003 &&&&&&&&&&&&&013.&&&&&013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&&&&&023 &&&&&&&&&&&&&024.&&&&&024 −1 &&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&8000023.08
Serbia and Montenegro Santrac, SlobodanSlobodan Santrač 30 March 2005 17 August 2005 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&012.&&&&&012 −8 &&&&&&&&&&&&&025.&&&&&025.00
North Macedonia Babunski, BobanBoban Babunski (caretaker) 7 September 2005 10 August 2011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 −2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&050.&&&&&050.00
Slovenia Katanec, SreckoSrečko Katanec 1 March 2006 1 April 2009 &&&&&&&&&&&&&027.&&&&&027 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&028.&&&&&028 &&&&&&&&&&&&&029.&&&&&029 −1 &&&&&&&&&&&&&033.33000033.33
North Macedonia Jonuz, MirsadMirsad Jonuz 6 June 2009 4 June 2011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&020.&&&&&020 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&021.&&&&&021 &&&&&&&&&&&&&019.&&&&&019 +2 &&&&&&&&&&&&&035.&&&&&035.00
North Macedonia Kostov, VlatkoVlatko Kostov (caretaker) 7 September 2010 7 September 2010 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 +0 &0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00.00
Wales Toshack, JohnJohn Toshack 2 September 2011 29 May 2012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 −4 &&&&&&&&&&&&&012.50000012.50
North Macedonia Sedloski, GoceGoce Sedloski (caretaker) 15 August 2012 15 August 2012 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 +1 &&&&&&&&&&&&0100.&&&&&0100.000
North Macedonia Janevski, CedomirČedomir Janevski 7 September 2012 10 September 2013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&014.&&&&&014 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&08.&&&&&08 &&&&&&&&&&&&&015.&&&&&015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&019.&&&&&019 −4 &&&&&&&&&&&&&035.71000035.71
North Macedonia Stratev, ZoranZoran Stratev (caretaker) 11 October 2013 15 October 2013 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 −5 &0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00.00
North Macedonia Gjurovski, BoskoBoško Gjurovski 5 March 2014 30 March 2015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&02.&&&&&02 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&03.&&&&&03 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&012.&&&&&012 −5 &&&&&&&&&&&&&018.18000018.18
Serbia Drulovic, LjubinkoLjubinko Drulović 14 June 2015 12 October 2015 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&05.&&&&&05 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&04.&&&&&04 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&01.&&&&&01 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&06.&&&&&06 −5 &0&&&&&&&&&&&&&&00.&&&&&00.00
North Macedonia Angelovski, IgorIgor Angelovski 12 November 2015 21 June 2021 &&&&&&&&&&&&&052.&&&&&052 &&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&&&&&023 &&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011 &&&&&&&&&&&&&018.&&&&&018 &&&&&&&&&&&&&083.&&&&&083 &&&&&&&&&&&&&062.&&&&&062 +21 &&&&&&&&&&&&&044.23000044.23 UEFA Euro 2020 group stage
North Macedonia Milevski, BlagojaBlagoja Milevski 2 September 2021 &&&&&&&&&&&&&023.&&&&&023 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&07.&&&&&07 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&09.&&&&&09 &&&&&&&&&&&&&031.&&&&&031 &&&&&&&&&&&&&030.&&&&&030 +1 &&&&&&&&&&&&&030.43000030.43
Total &&&&&&&&&&&&0271.&&&&&0271 &&&&&&&&&&&&&084.&&&&&084 &&&&&&&&&&&&&070.&&&&&070 &&&&&&&&&&&&0117.&&&&&0117 &&&&&&&&&&&&0326.&&&&&0326 &&&&&&&&&&&&0357.&&&&&0357 −31 &&&&&&&&&&&&&031.&&&&&031.00 —

Players

Current squad

  • The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Moldova and against Montenegro on 22 and 25 March 2024.
  • Caps and goals are correct as of 25 March 2024, after the match against  Montenegro.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Stole Dimitrievski (1993-12-25) 25 December 1993 (age 30) 68 0 Spain Rayo Vallecano
22 1GK Damjan Shishkovski (1995-03-18) 18 March 1995 (age 29) 11 0 Armenia Ararat-Armenia
12 1GK Igor Aleksovski (1995-02-24) 24 February 1995 (age 29) 1 0 North Macedonia Rabotnichki
23 1GK Dejan Iliev (1995-02-25) 25 February 1995 (age 29) 1 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo
8 2DF Ezgjan Alioski (1992-02-12) 12 February 1992 (age 32) 74 12 Saudi Arabia Al-Ahli
6 2DF Visar Musliu (1994-11-13) 13 November 1994 (age 29) 59 1 Germany Paderborn
14 2DF Darko Velkovski (1995-06-21) 21 June 1995 (age 28) 49 3 Romania Dinamo București
5 2DF Gjoko Zajkov (1995-02-10) 10 February 1995 (age 29) 28 1 Romania Universitatea Craiova
4 2DF Nikola Serafimov (1999-08-11) 11 August 1999 (age 24) 14 0 Hungary Fehérvár
13 2DF Bojan Dimoski (2001-11-23) 23 November 2001 (age 22) 11 0 Russia Akron
15 2DF Jovan Manev (2001-01-25) 25 January 2001 (age 23) 7 1 Turkey Adana Demirspor
3 2DF Todor Todoroski (1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 (age 25) 6 0 Romania Politehnica Iași
2 2DF Ahmed Iljazovski (1997-07-31) 31 July 1997 (age 26) 3 0 Denmark Hvidovre
10 3MF Enis Bardhi (captain) (1995-07-02) 2 July 1995 (age 28) 64 16 Turkey Trabzonspor
7 3MF Elif Elmas (1999-09-24) 24 September 1999 (age 24) 58 12 Germany RB Leipzig
11 3MF Darko Churlinov (2000-07-11) 11 July 2000 (age 23) 24 4 Germany Schalke 04
18 3MF Tihomir Kostadinov (1996-03-04) 4 March 1996 (age 28) 22 0 Poland Piast
21 3MF Jani Atanasov (1999-10-31) 31 October 1999 (age 24) 16 2 Poland Cracovia
16 3MF David Babunski (1994-03-01) 1 March 1994 (age 30) 15 0 Hungary Mezőkövesd
17 3MF Agon Elezi (2001-03-01) 1 March 2001 (age 23) 10 0 Germany VfL Bochum
24 3MF Dimitar Mitrovski (1999-01-28) 28 January 1999 (age 25) 3 0 Croatia Varaždin
25 3MF Davor Zdravkovski (1998-03-29) 29 March 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Scotland Motherwell
9 4FW Aleksandar Trajkovski (1992-09-05) 5 September 1992 (age 31) 87 21 Croatia Hajduk
19 4FW Milan Ristovski (1998-04-08) 8 April 1998 (age 26) 24 4 Czech Republic Bohemians
20 4FW Bojan Miovski (1999-06-24) 24 June 1999 (age 24) 22 3 Scotland Aberdeen
26 4FW Lirim Qamili (1998-06-04) 4 June 1998 (age 25) 2 0 Denmark Hvidovre

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 Davor Taleski (1995-05-19) 19 May 1995 (age 28) 0 0 North Macedonia Shkëndija v.  Malta, 12 September 2023
DF Stefan Ashkovski INJ (1992-02-24) 24 February 1992 (age 32) 28 0 Armenia Alashkert v.  Moldova, 22 March 2024 WD
DF Stefan Ristovski RET (1992-02-12) 12 February 1992 (age 32) 82 2 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb v.  England, 19 June 2023
DF Egzon Bejtulai (1994-01-07) 7 January 1994 (age 30) 27 0 Kosovo Drita v.  England, 19 June 2023
DF Vladica Brdarovski (1990-02-07) 7 February 1990 (age 34) 9 0 North Macedonia Vardar v.  England, 19 June 2023
MF Arijan Ademi RET (1991-05-29) 29 May 1991 (age 32) 33 4 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb v.  England, 20 November 2023
MF Isnik Alimi INJ (1994-02-02) 2 February 1994 (age 30) 5 0 Romania Sepsi OSK v.  England, 20 November 2023
MF Valon Ethemi (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 (age 26) 4 0 Turkey Konyaspor v.  Ukraine, 14 October 2023 WD
MF Sefer Emini (2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Denmark Sønderjyske v.  England, 19 June 2023
FW Erdon Daci INJ (1998-07-04) 4 July 1998 (age 25) 1 1 Belgium Westerlo v.  Moldova, 22 March 2024 WD
FW Ljupcho Doriev (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 28) 9 0 Uzbekistan Sogdiana v.  Armenia, 17 October 2023
FW Ilija Nestorovski (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990 (age 34) 52 10 Italy Ascoli v.  Malta, 12 September 2023
FW Dorian Babunski (1996-08-29) 29 August 1996 (age 27) 7 0 Switzerland Grasshopper v.  Malta, 12 September 2023
FW Marjan Radeski (1995-02-10) 10 February 1995 (age 29) 17 1 North Macedonia Struga v.  Italy, 9 September 2023 WD
Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from the national team
  • SUS = Serving suspension
  • U21 = Player called up to the U21 squad.
  • WD = Player withdrew from the squad.

Statistics

Main page: List of North Macedonia international footballers
Players in bold are still active with Macedonia.

Most appearances

Goran Pandev
Goran Pandev is North Macedonia's top goalscorer and their most capped player.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Goran Pandev 122 38 2001–2021
2 Goce Sedloski 100 8 1996–2010
3 Aleksandar Trajkovski 87 21 2011–present
4 Veliche Shumulikoski 84 1 2002–2013
5 Stefan Ristovski 82 2 2011–present
6 Ezgjan Alioski 74 12 2013–present
7 Artim Shakiri 73 15 1996–2006
8 Igor Mitreski 70 1 2001–2011
9 Stole Dimitrievski 68 0 2015–present
10 Ivan Trichkovski 67 7 2010–2021

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Goran Pandev 38 122 0.31 2001–2021
2 Aleksandar Trajkovski 21 87 0.24 2011–present
3 Gjorgji Hristov 16 48 0.33 1995–2003
Enis Bardhi 16 64 0.25 2015–present
5 Artim Shakiri 15 73 0.21 1996–2006
6 Elif Elmas 12 58 0.21 2017–present
Ezgjan Alioski 12 74 0.16 2013–present
8 Goran Maznov 10 45 0.22 2001–2009
Ilija Nestorovski 10 52 0.19 2016–present
10 Ilcho Naumoski 9 46 0.2 2003–2012

Captains

This is a list of Macedonian captains for five or more official and friendly matches.

Player Period Games as captain (Total caps) Major tournaments as captain (Games)
Darko Pančev 1993–1995 6 (6)
Toni Micevski 1996–2001 12 (44)
Artim Šakiri 2002–2005 10 (72)
Goce Sedloski 2004–2009 43 (100)
Veliče Šumulikoski 2009–2012 11 (84)
Goran Pandev 2010–2013 22 (75)
Tome Pachovski 2014–2015 10 (46)
Goran Pandev 2016–2021 69 (122) UEFA Euro 2020 (3)
Stefan Ristovski 2019–2023 16 (82)
Enis Bardhi 2021– 14 (64)

Note: Some of the other players to have captained the team include: Dragi Kanatlarovski (1 cap; 1993), Ilija Najdoski (3; 1994), Dančo Celeski (2; 1995), Ljupčo Markovski (4; 1995 to 1997), Mitko Stojkovski (2; 1998), Boban Babunski (2; 1996 and 1999), Gjorgji Hristov (2; 2002 to 2003), Petar Miloševski (2; 2004 and 2008), Ilcho Naumoski (1; 2008), Igor Mitreski (4; 2007 to 2010), Aleksandar Lazevski (1; 2010), Nikolče Noveski (4; 2011 to 2013), Daniel Mojsov (1; 2012), Boban Grncharov (3; 2012 to 2014), Blazhe Ilijoski (1; 2014), Blagoja Todorovski (1; 2014), Vanche Shikov (4; 2015), Ivan Trichkovski (4; 2018 to 2020), Ilija Nestorovski (1; 2019), Darko Velkovski (1; 2022) and Elif Elmas (1; 2023).

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  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia
United States 1994 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
France 1998 Did not qualify 10 4 1 5 22 18 4/6
South Korea Japan 2002 10 1 4 5 11 18 4/6
Germany 2006 12 2 3 7 11 24 5/7
South Africa 2010 8 2 1 5 5 11 4/5
Brazil 2014 10 2 1 7 7 16 6/6
Russia 2018 10 3 2 5 15 15 5/6
Qatar 2022 12 6 3 3 24 13 2/6 (play-offs)
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/7 – – – – – – 72 20 15 37 95 115 —

UEFA European Championship

Main page: North Macedonia at the UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
France 1960 to Sweden 1992 Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia
England 1996 Did not qualify 10 1 4 5 9 18 4/6
Belgium Netherlands 2000 8 2 2 4 13 14 4/5
Portugal 2004 8 1 3 4 11 14 4/5
Austria Switzerland 2008 12 4 2 6 12 12 5/7
Poland Ukraine 2012 10 2 2 6 8 14 5/6
France 2016 10 1 1 8 6 18 6/6
Europe 2020 Group stage 23rd 3 0 0 3 2 8 12 6 2 4 15 14 3/6 (PO winners)
Germany 2024 Did not qualify 8 2 2 4 10 20 4/5
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total Group stage 1/8 3 0 0 3 2 8 78 19 18 41 84 123 —

Olympic Record

  • Within Yugoslavia Team

1920 Round 1, 1924 Preliminary, 1928 Preliminary, 1948 (2nd), 1952 (2nd), 1956 (2nd), 1960 Champion, 1964 1/4 finals, 1980 (4th), 1984 (3rd), 1988 group

  • Since 1996 under 21 team plays at Olympics
  • 1996 did not enter
  • 2000–2024 did not qualify

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA GD P/R RK
2018–19 D 4 6 5 0 1 14 5 +9 Rise 41st
2020–21 C 2 6 2 3 1 9 8 +1 Same position 40th
2022–23 C 4 6 2 1 3 7 7 0 Same position 42nd
2024–25 C 4 To be determined
Total 18 9 4 5 30 20 +10 40th

Minor tournaments

  • Yugoslav Football Tournament
    • 5th place: 1945
Socialist Republic of Macedonia Team Macedonia
Rustenov, Bogojevski, Vidovik, Martinovski, Petrovski, Davidovski, Janevski, Adamovski, Atanaskov, Balevski, Gerov. Manager: Illes Spitz

Head-to-head record

, after the match against Montenegro.

Macedonia all-time head-to-head record
Against Region Pld W D L GF GA GD Win % First match Last match
 Albania UEFA 10 4 4 2 12 7 +5 40% 14 May 1994 5 September 2017
 Andorra UEFA 6 4 1 1 9 1 +8 66.67% 13 October 2004 6 September 2011
 Angola CAF 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 29 May 2012
 Armenia UEFA 13 6 3 4 23 18 +5 41.67% 10 May 1995 17 October 2023
 Australia AFC 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 0% 12 March 1997 30 March 2015
 Austria UEFA 3 0 0 3 3 9 −6 0% 10 June 2019 13 June 2021
 Azerbaijan UEFA 8 5 2 1 15 8 +7 62.5% 26 July 2000 20 November 2022
 Bahrain AFC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0% 7 January 2001
 Belarus UEFA 3 1 1 1 4 2 +2 33.33% 27 March 2015 28 March 2017
 Belgium UEFA 4 0 1 3 1 9 −8 0% 16 November 1994 26 March 2013
 Bosnia and Herzegovina UEFA 5 1 3 1 8 8 0 20% 3 June 1998 26 March 2008
 Bulgaria UEFA 9 2 2 5 4 9 −5 22.22% 12 April 1995 26 September 2022
 Cameroon CAF 2 0 0 2 0 3 −3 0% 9 February 2011 26 May 2014
 Canada CONCACAF 2 1 0 1 3 1 +2 50% 18 May 1998 14 November 2009
 China AFC 5 0 2 3 0 4 −4 0% 27 January 2004 22 June 2014
 Croatia UEFA 8 1 2 5 9 12 −3 12.5% 14 October 1998 12 October 2012
 Cyprus UEFA 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 50% 17 December 1994 11 October 1995
 Czech Republic UEFA 3 0 1 2 2 9 −7 0% 28 February 2001 8 June 2005
 Denmark UEFA 3 1 1 1 4 2 +2 33.33% 7 September 1994 6 February 2013
 Ecuador CONMEBOL 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100% 28 May 2006
 Egypt CAF 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0% 29 September 1998
 England UEFA 6 0 3 3 4 13 -9 0% 16 October 2002 20 November 2023
 Estonia UEFA 6 4 2 0 13 7 +6 66.67% 1 June 1994 15 November 2020
 Faroe Islands UEFA 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% 27 March 2023
 Finland UEFA 6 1 2 3 3 12 −9 16.67% 10 January 2002 17 November 2022
 Yugoslavia UEFA 3 0 0 3 4 9 –5 0% 5 September 1999 23 February 2000
 Georgia UEFA 5 1 2 2 3 7 –4 20% 8 September 2020 23 September 2022
 Germany UEFA 2 1 0 1 2 5 −3 50% 31 March 2021 11 October 2021
 Gibraltar UEFA 4 4 0 0 12 0 +12 100% 6 September 2018 12 June 2022
 Hungary UEFA 2 0 1 1 0 5 −5 0% 22 April 1998 14 November 2001
 Iceland UEFA 6 3 2 1 9 5 +4 50% 1 June 1996 14 November 2021
 Iran AFC 3 0 1 2 3 7 −4 0% 9 June 2000 2 June 2016
 Israel UEFA 7 2 1 4 7 9 −2 28.57% 20 November 2002 6 September 2019
 Italy UEFA 5 1 2 2 7 10 −3 20% 9 October 2016 17 November 2023
 Jamaica CONCACAF 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100% 20 April 1998
 Kazakhstan UEFA 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100% 4 June 2021
 Kosovo UEFA 1 1 0 0 2 1 +1 100% 8 October 2020
 Latvia UEFA 3 3 0 0 7 2 +5 100% 5 March 2014 9 September 2019
 Lebanon AFC 1 0 0 1 0 1 −1 0% 17 November 2015
 Liechtenstein UEFA 11 10 1 0 42 5 +37 90.91% 24 April 1996 8 October 2021
 Lithuania UEFA 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 33.33% 6 September 1997 15 August 2012
 Luxembourg UEFA 4 2 0 2 8 6 +2 50% 20 August 2008 5 September 2015
 Malta UEFA 8 7 1 0 19 3 +16 87.5% 27 March 1996 12 September 2023
 Moldova UEFA 4 0 4 0 4 4 0 0% 11 October 2000 22 March 2024
 Montenegro UEFA 4 2 0 2 7 5 +2 50% 19 November 2008 25 March 2024
 Netherlands UEFA 5 0 2 3 3 11 −8 0% 9 October 2004 21 June 2021
 Nigeria CAF 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 22 August 2007
 Norway UEFA 4 1 1 2 3 4 −1 25% 6 June 2009 11 November 2017
 Oman AFC 1 0 0 1 0 2 −2 0% 30 December 2001
 Poland UEFA 5 0 1 4 2 11 −9 0% 14 February 2003 13 October 2019
 Portugal UEFA 3 0 1 2 0 3 −3 0% 2 April 2003 29 March 2022
 Qatar AFC 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 33.33% 25 July 2001 30 May 2014
 Republic of Ireland UEFA 6 1 1 4 5 11 −6 16.67% 9 October 1996 4 June 2011
 Romania UEFA 7 1 1 5 7 14 −7 14.29% 14 December 1996 8 September 2021
 Russia UEFA 4 0 0 4 0 7 −7 0% 15 November 2006 2 September 2011
 Saudi Arabia AFC 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 0% 1 August 2001 22 October 2022
 Scotland UEFA 4 1 1 2 3 5 −2 25% 6 September 2008 10 September 2013
 Serbia UEFA 3 1 1 1 3 6 −3 33.33% 6 February 2008 15 October 2013
 Slovakia UEFA 8 0 2 6 3 16 −13 0% 3 September 2000 14 June 2015
 Slovenia UEFA 7 4 2 1 13 7 +6 57.14% 13 October 1993 1 June 2021
 South Korea AFC 2 0 1 1 3 4 −1 0% 18 April 1998 7 June 2000
 Spain UEFA 7 0 0 7 4 20 −16 0% 12 October 1994 11 June 2017
 Sweden UEFA 3 0 0 3 1 4 −3 0% 24 March 2001 3 June 2013
 Turkey UEFA 8 1 2 5 9 14 −5 12.5% 31 August 1994 5 June 2017
 Ukraine UEFA 7 1 1 5 4 10 −6 25% 11 October 2003 16 October 2023
 United States CONCACAF 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% 16 May 1998
 Wales UEFA 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 50% 6 September 2013 11 October 2013
Total 67 nations 282 87 71 124 339 384 −45 30.85%

FIFA ranking history

FIFA-ranking yearly averages for North Macedonia. The country reached 46th in October 2008, and 166th in March 2017. As of 25 March 2022, they sit in 66th.

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
x 90 94 86 92 59 68 76 89 85
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
92 92 87 54 58 56 65 76 103 81
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
83 100 136 162 76 68 68 65 67

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Macedonia del Norte para niños

  • List of Macedonia international footballers
  • Macedonia national football team results
  • Macedonia national under-21 football team
  • Macedonia national under-19 football team
  • Macedonia national under-17 football team
  • Macedonia women's national football team
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
North Macedonia national football team Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.