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Montenegro national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Montenegro women's national football team.
Quick facts for kids
Montenegro
Nickname(s) Hrabri sokoli / Храбри соколи
(The Brave Falcons)
Association Football Association of Montenegro (FSCG)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Robert Prosinečki
Captain Stevan Jovetić
Most caps Stevan Jovetić (87)
Top scorer Stevan Jovetić (37)
Home stadium Podgorica City Stadium
FIFA code MNE
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 46 Decrease 2 (7 February 2019)
Highest 16 (June 2011)
Lowest 199 (June 2007)
Elo ranking
Current 61 Decrease 5 (3 March 2019)
Highest 37 (29 March 2011)
Lowest 78 (October 2019)
First international
 Montenegro 2–1 Hungary 
(Podgorica, Montenegro; 24 March 2007)
Biggest win
 San Marino 0–6 Montenegro 
(Serravalle, San Marino; 11 September 2012)
Biggest defeat
 England 7–0 Montenegro 
(London, England; 14 November 2019)

The Montenegro national football team represents the country of Montenegro in men's international football games. They are often called "The Brave Falcons" (Hrabri sokoli). The team is managed by the Football Association of Montenegro. Their main home stadium is the Podgorica City Stadium in Podgorica.

Montenegro's team is one of the newest in international football. They joined FIFA and UEFA in 2007. This happened after Montenegro became an independent country in 2006. Their very first official international match was against Hungary in March 2007.

Team History

How the Team Started

Montenegro line-up, Czech Rp.-Montenegro EURO 2020 QR 10-06-2019
Montenegro national team players during a EURO 2020 qualifier.

After Montenegro became independent from Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, a new football team was formed. At first, Serbia was going to represent both countries in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. However, UEFA said Montenegro could join later if FIFA approved their football association. This approval happened in October 2006. Montenegro's first FIFA World Ranking was 199th, which was the last spot at the time.

First Games Played

Mirko Vucinic 2012 MNE
Mirko Vučinić was the first captain of Montenegro.

On January 26, 2007, the Football Association of Montenegro became a full member of UEFA. The team played its first official friendly match against Hungary. This game took place on March 24, 2007, in Podgorica. Montenegro won the match 2–1 in front of 12,000 fans. Striker Mirko Vučinić scored the team's first-ever goal. On May 31, 2007, FIFA welcomed Montenegro as its 208th member.

A Strong Period

On September 11, 2012, Montenegro played against San Marino in Serravalle. Montenegro won this game 6–0, which is still the team's biggest win ever. After that, they also beat Ukraine 1–0 in Kyiv. Dejan Damjanović scored the only goal in that match.

Ups and Downs in Games

In February 2014, Montenegro was drawn into a tough group for the Euro 2016 qualifiers. They played against strong teams like Russia, Sweden, and Austria. Montenegro started well with a 2–0 win against Moldova. However, they struggled in other matches. They had a goalless draw against Liechtenstein and lost to Austria. A home game against Sweden ended in a 1–1 draw.

A match against Russia on March 27, 2015, was stopped early. This happened after a Russian player was hit by an object from the crowd. The game was tied 0–0 when it was stopped. Later, the game was officially recorded as a 3–0 win for Russia. Montenegro finished fourth in their group.

Home Stadium and Training Facilities

Podgorica City Stadium

Montenegro plays its home matches at the Podgorica City Stadium. This stadium can hold up to 15,230 fans. For international games, the capacity is usually between 10,700 and 13,000 seats.

Camp FSCG Training Ground

The Football Association of Montenegro also has its own training center called Camp FSCG. It was built in 2007 and covers a large area of 54,000 square meters. The center has six football pitches with stands and lights. It also includes the "House of Football," which is the main office for the Football Association of Montenegro.

Recent Matches and Future Games

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

6 September 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Iceland  2–0  Montenegro Reykjavík, Iceland
18:45 UTC±0
  • Óskarsson Goal 39'
  • Þorsteinsson Goal 58'
 Stadium: Laugardalsvöllur
Attendance: 4,683
Referee: Willy Delajod (France)
9 September 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Montenegro  1–2  Wales Nikšić, Montenegro
19:45 UTC±0
  • Camaj Goal 73'
  • Moore Goal 1'
  • Wilson Goal 3'
 Stadium: Gradski stadion (Nikšić)
Attendance: 3,569
Referee: Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria)
11 October 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Turkey  1–0  Montenegro Samsun, Turkey
21:45 UTC+3
  • Kahveci Goal 69'
 Stadium: Samsun 19 Mayıs Stadium
Attendance: 28,829
Referee: Daniele Chiffi (Italy)
14 October 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Wales  1–0  Montenegro Cardiff, Wales
19:45 UTC±0
  • Wilson Goal 36' (pen.)
 Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 27,326
Referee: Filip Glova (Slovakia)
16 November 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Montenegro  0–2  Iceland Nikšić, Montenegro
18:00 UTC+1
  • Óskarsson Goal 74'
  • Jóhannesson Goal 88'
 Stadium: Gradski stadion (Nikšić)
Attendance: 2,354
Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany)
19 November 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B Montenegro  3–1  Turkey Nikšić, Montenegro
20:45 UTC+1
  • Krstović Goal 29', 45', 73'
  • Yıldız Goal 37'
 Stadium: Gradski stadion (Nikšić)
Attendance: 2,579
Referee: Urs Schnyder (Switzerland)

Upcoming 2025 Matches

22 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Montenegro  3–1  Gibraltar Nikšić, Montenegro
18:00 UTC+1
  • Jovetić Goal 22'
  • Tući Goal 70'
  • Marušić Goal 73'
  • Bent Goal 13'
 Stadium: Gradski stadion
Attendance: 3,021
Referee: António Nobre (Portugal)
25 March 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Montenegro  1–0  Faroe Islands Nikšić, Montenegro
20:45 UTC+1
  • Kuč Goal 90+6'
 Stadium: Gradski stadion
Attendance: 3,226
Referee: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands)
6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Czech Republic  2–0  Montenegro Plzeň, Czech Republic
20:45 UTC+2
Stadium: Stadion města Plzně
Attendance: 10,889
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
9 June Friendly Montenegro  2–2  Armenia Nikšić, Montenegro
20:00 UTC+2
  • Adžić Goal 5'
  • Bulatović Goal 52'
  • Spertsyan Goal 1', 81'
 Stadium: Gradski stadion
Attendance: 1,398
Referee: Jasmin Šabotić (Luxembourg)
5 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Montenegro  v  Czech Republic Nikšić, Montenegro
20:45 UTC+2 Stadium: Gradski stadion
8 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Croatia  v  Montenegro Zagreb, Croatia
20:45 UTC+2 Stadium: Stadion Maksimir
9 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Faroe Islands  v  Montenegro Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
19:45 UTC+1 Stadium: Tórsvøllur
13 October Friendly Montenegro  v  Liechtenstein Nikšić, Montenegro
18:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Gradski stadion
14 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Gibraltar  v  Montenegro Faro/Loulé, Portugal
20:45 UTC+1 Stadium: Estádio Algarve
17 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Montenegro  v  Croatia Nikšić, Montenegro
20:45 UTC+1 Stadium: Gradski stadion

Team Coaches Over Time

Manager Years Games Played Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Win %
Montenegro Filipović, ZoranZoran Filipović 2006–2009 23 8 8 7 28 31 34.78%
Croatia Kranjčar, ZlatkoZlatko Kranjčar 2010–2011 13 6 2 5 14 11 46.15%
Montenegro Brnović, BrankoBranko Brnović 2011–2015 34 11 9 14 44 50 32.35%
Serbia Tumbaković, LjubišaLjubiša Tumbaković 2016–2019 26 7 7 12 33 33 26.92%
Montenegro Džudović, MiodragMiodrag Džudović 2019 (caretaker) 2 0 1 1 1 4 00.00%
Bosnia and Herzegovina Hadžibegić, FarukFaruk Hadžibegić 2019–2020 13 5 4 4 13 16 38.46%
Montenegro Radulović, MiodragMiodrag Radulović 2020–2023 23 6 4 13 22 35 26.08%
Croatia Prosinečki, RobertRobert Prosinečki 2024–present 13 5 0 8 11 17 38.46%

Players on the Team

In international football, players usually play for only one national team. However, if new countries are formed from an older one, there can be exceptions. For Montenegro, a player can play for the team even if they played for Serbia and Montenegro before. This is allowed if:

  • The player was born in Montenegro.
  • At least one of their parents or grandparents was born in Montenegro.
  • The player has lived in Montenegro for five years in a row.

Many players might be able to play for both Serbia and Montenegro. But once a player plays in a competitive game for either country, they cannot play for any other nation.

Current Squad Members

The players listed below were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Czech Republic on June 6, 2025, and a friendly match against Armenia on June 9, 2025.

Caps (games played) and goals are updated as of June 9, 2025, after the match against Armenia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Balša Popović (2000-06-10) 10 June 2000 (age 25) 2 0 Serbia OFK Beograd
12 1GK Danijel Petković (1993-05-25) 25 May 1993 (age 32) 25 0 Latvia Liepāja
13 1GK Igor Nikić (2000-08-25) 25 August 2000 (age 24) 6 0 Montenegro Dečić
2 2DF Andrija Vukčević (1996-10-11) 11 October 1996 (age 28) 17 0 Spain Cartagena
3 2DF Risto Radunović (1992-05-04) 4 May 1992 (age 33) 41 1 Romania FCSB
4 2DF Marko Vukčević (1993-06-07) 7 June 1993 (age 32) 30 1 Kazakhstan Tobol
5 2DF Igor Vujačić (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) 40 0 Russia Rubin Kazan
6 2DF Slobodan Rubežić (2000-03-21) 21 March 2000 (age 25) 8 1 Serbia Novi Pazar
7 2DF Marko Vešović (1991-08-28) 28 August 1991 (age 33) 58 2 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
15 2DF Stefan Savić (vice-captain) (1991-01-08) 8 January 1991 (age 34) 74 9 Turkey Trabzonspor
16 2DF Ognjen Gašević (2002-04-02) 2 April 2002 (age 23) 2 0 Montenegro Budućnost Podgorica
23 2DF Nikola Šipčić (1995-05-17) 17 May 1995 (age 30) 16 0 Greece Asteras Tripolis
8 3MF Miloš Brnović (2000-04-26) 26 April 2000 (age 25) 7 0 Russia Arsenal Tula
14 3MF Edvin Kuč (1993-10-27) 27 October 1993 (age 31) 15 4 Azerbaijan Neftçi
17 3MF Vasilije Adžić (2006-05-12) 12 May 2006 (age 19) 1 1 Italy Juventus
18 3MF Marko Bakić (1993-11-01) 1 November 1993 (age 31) 35 0 Iran Persepolis
19 3MF Stefan Lončar (1996-02-19) 19 February 1996 (age 29) 20 0 Russia Akron Tolyatti
21 3MF Andrija Bulatović (2006-12-27) 27 December 2006 (age 18) 1 1 France Lens
22 3MF Driton Camaj (1997-03-07) 7 March 1997 (age 28) 24 2 Kazakhstan Astana
3MF Marko Janković (1995-07-09) 9 July 1995 (age 30) 54 1 Azerbaijan Qarabağ
3MF Milan Vukotić (2002-10-05) 5 October 2002 (age 22) 5 0 Serbia Partizan
9 4FW Andrija Radulović (2002-07-03) 3 July 2002 (age 23) 7 0 Austria Rapid Wien
10 4FW Stevan Jovetić (captain) (1989-11-02) 2 November 1989 (age 35) 87 37 Cyprus Omonia Nicosia
20 4FW Milutin Osmajić (1999-07-25) 25 July 1999 (age 26) 28 2 England Preston North End
11 4FW Nikola Krstović (2000-04-05) 5 April 2000 (age 25) 27 6 Italy Lecce
4FW Stefan Mugoša (1992-02-23) 23 February 1992 (age 33) 63 15 South Korea Incheon United

Other Players Called Up Recently

The following players have also been called up to the team in the last year.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Milan Mijatović (1987-07-26) 26 July 1987 (age 38) 40 0 Montenegro Budućnost Podgorica v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2025
DF Adam Marušić (1992-10-17) 17 October 1992 (age 32) 66 5 Italy Lazio v.  Czech Republic, 6 June 2025INJ
DF Marko Tući (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 26) 7 1 South Korea Gangwon v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2025
DF Robert Gjelaj (2002-09-23) 23 September 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Montenegro Dečić v.  Turkey, 19 November 2024
MF Vladimir Jovović (1994-10-26) 26 October 1994 (age 30) 63 0 Uzbekistan Neftchi Fergana v.  Faroe Islands, 25 March 2025
MF Milan Vušurović (1995-04-18) 18 April 1995 (age 30) 0 0 Montenegro Budućnost Podgorica v.  Turkey, 19 November 2024
MF Ilija Vukotić (1999-01-07) 7 January 1999 (age 26) 3 1 Portugal Boavista v.  Wales, 14 October 2024
MF Novica Eraković (1999-11-12) 12 November 1999 (age 25) 4 0 Cyprus Omonia Nicosia v.  Wales, 9 September 2024
FW Viktor Đukanović (2004-01-29) 29 January 2004 (age 21) 4 0 Slovakia DAC 1904 v.  Wales, 9 September 2024
FW Vladimir Perišić (2004-08-26) 26 August 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Slovakia Košice v.  Wales, 9 September 2024
Notes
  • WD = Player withdrew from the current squad due to non-injury issue.
  • INJ = Not part of the current squad due to injury.

Player Records

Most Games Played

Stevan Jovetic 2012 MNE
Stevan Jovetić has played the most games and scored the most goals for Montenegro.
Rank Player Caps Goals Years Played
1 Stevan Jovetić 87 37 2007–present
2 Fatos Bećiraj 86 15 2009–2022
3 Stefan Savić 74 9 2010–present
4 Adam Marušić 66 5 2015–present
5 Žarko Tomašević 65 5 2010–present
6 Vladimir Jovović 63 0 2013–present
Stefan Mugoša 63 15 2015–present
8 Elsad Zverotić 61 5 2008–2017
9 Marko Vešović 57 2 2013–present
10 Marko Janković 54 1 2016–present

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Average Years Played
1 Stevan Jovetić 37 87 0.43 2007–present
2 Mirko Vučinić 17 46 0.37 2007–2017
3 Stefan Mugoša 15 63 0.24 2015–present
Fatos Bećiraj 15 86 0.17 2009–2022
5 Stefan Savić 9 74 0.12 2010–present
6 Dejan Damjanović 8 30 0.27 2008–2015
7 Radomir Đalović 7 26 0.27 2007–2012
8 Andrija Delibašić 6 21 0.29 2009–2013
Nikola Krstović 6 28 0.21 2022–present
10 Elsad Zverotić 5 61 0.08 2008–2017
Žarko Tomašević 5 64 0.08 2014–present
Adam Marušić 5 66 0.08 2015–present

Team Performance in Major Tournaments

Montenegro has played in qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. They have also competed in the UEFA Nations League.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Montenegro has not yet qualified for the FIFA World Cup. They have played in four qualification campaigns since becoming an independent nation.

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pos Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to France 1938 Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia
Brazil 1950 to Italy 1990 Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia
United States 1994 to South Korea Japan 2002 Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia
Germany 2006 Part of  Serbia and Montenegro Part of  Serbia and Montenegro
South Africa 2010 Did not qualify 5th 10 1 6 3 9 14
Brazil 2014 3rd 10 4 3 3 18 17
Russia 2018 3rd 10 5 1 4 20 12
Qatar 2022 4th 10 3 3 4 14 15
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/4 — 40 13 13 14 61 58

UEFA European Championship Qualifiers

Montenegro has also not yet qualified for the UEFA European Championship.

UEFA European Championship record Qualification record Qualification play-offs record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
France 1960 Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia
Spain 1964
Italy 1968
Belgium 1972
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1976
Italy 1980
France 1984
West Germany 1988
Sweden 1992
England 1996 Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia Part of  Yugoslavia
Belgium Netherlands 2000
Portugal 2004 Part of  Serbia and Montenegro Part of  Serbia and Montenegro Part of  Serbia and Montenegro
Austria Switzerland 2008 Did not enter Did not enter N/A
Poland Ukraine 2012 Did not qualify PO 8 3 3 2 7 7 2 0 0 2 0 3
France 2016 4th 10 3 2 5 10 13 N/A
Europe 2020 5th 8 0 3 5 3 22
Germany 2024 3rd 8 3 2 3 9 11
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined To be determined To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total 0/4 — 34 9 10 15 29 53 2 0 0 2 0 3

UEFA Nations League Performance

Montenegro competes in the UEFA Nations League, a competition for European national teams.

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 C 4 6 2 1 3 7 6 Same position 35th
2020–21 C 1 6 4 1 1 10 2 Rise 34th
2022–23 B 3 6 2 1 3 6 6 Same position 28th
2024–25 B 4 6 1 0 5 4 9 Fall 30th
2026–27 C TBD 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBD
Total 24 9 3 12 27 23 28th

FIFA Rankings

You can find more details about Montenegro's position in the world football rankings here: Montenegro national football team records and statistics.

See also

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

  • Montenegro men's national football team results
  • Montenegro men's national football team records and statistics
  • List of Montenegro international footballers
  • Montenegro women's national football team
  • Montenegro women's national under-17 football team
  • Football in Montenegro
  • Sport in Montenegro
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