Tajikistan national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tajikistan

Nickname(s)	The Crowns Шерони форс (Persian Lions)
Association	Federosiyuni Futboli Tojikiston (FFT)
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	CAFA (Central Asia)
Head coach	Gela Shekiladze
Captain	Parvizdzhon Umarbayev
Most caps	Akhtam Nazarov (93)
Top scorer	Manuchekhr Dzhalilov (20)
Home stadium	Pamir Stadium
FIFA code	TJK
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	120 (7 February 2019)
Highest	99 (15 February 2024)
Lowest	180 (July 2003, October 2003)
Elo ranking
Current	158 1 (3 March 2019)
Highest	85 (November 2003)
Lowest	165 (October 2018)
First international
Tajikistan 2–2 Uzbekistan  (Dushanbe, Tajikistan; 17 June 1992)
Biggest win
Tajikistan 16–0 Guam  (Tabriz, Iran; 26 November 2000)
Biggest defeat
Japan 8–0 Tajikistan  (Osaka, Japan; 11 October 2011)
Asian Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2023)
Best result	Quarter-finals (2023)
AFC Challenge Cup
Appearances	4 (first in 2006)
Best result	Champions (2006)
Asian Games
Appearances	1 (first in 1998)
Best result	Second round (1998)

The Tajikistan national football team represents Tajikistan in international football games. It is managed by the Tajikistan Football Federation. The team's home stadium is the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe. They are also known as "The Crowns" or "Persian Lions."

History of Tajikistan Football

The Tajikistan national football team played its first official game on April 11, 1994. This match was part of a regional tournament held in Tashkent. They lost that game 0–1 against Kazakhstan.

The team first joined a major competition in the qualifiers for the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. They were in a group with Uzbekistan and Bahrain. Bahrain later pulled out, so Tajikistan played a special match against Uzbekistan. Tajikistan won the first game 4–0 but lost the second 0–5 after extra time.

Tajikistan first tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1998. They won four games in their group, including a 5–0 victory over Turkmenistan. They only lost to China, finishing second in their group and missing out on the tournament.

After their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, coach Mubin Ergashev left his job. Later, in March 2018, manager Khakim Fuzailov also resigned after the team failed to qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

First Asian Cup Qualification

Tajikistan hired Croatian coach Petar Šegrt after missing out on a direct spot for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. They played in the third round of qualifiers with Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, and Singapore. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, these games were all played in one place, hosted by their neighbor Kyrgyzstan.

Tajikistan won against Myanmar (4–0) and Singapore (1–0). They then had a 0–0 draw with Kyrgyzstan. This great performance meant they finished first in their group. For the first time ever, after five tries, Tajikistan qualified for the AFC Asian Cup, a major football tournament.

In September 2022, Tajikistan was invited to the 2022 King's Cup in Thailand. They beat Trinidad and Tobago 2–1. They then won their second international trophy by defeating Malaysia in a penalty shootout in the final.

Asian Cup Success

In the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Tajikistan made history by reaching the quarter-finals. They lost 1–0 to Jordan due to an own goal. Their coach, Petar Šegrt, left after this successful run. His assistant, Gela Shekiladze, took over as the new coach.

In June 2025, it was announced that Tajikistan would help host the second CAFA Nations Cup alongside Uzbekistan.

Team Kit

Since September 2017, the company Li-Ning has provided Tajikistan's football kits.

Recent Matches and Upcoming Games

Here are some of the recent results and future matches for the Tajikistan national football team.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

Matches in 2024

In 2024, Tajikistan played several matches. They participated in the Merdeka Tournament and the King's Cup.

• On September 4, they lost 1–0 to Lebanon in the Merdeka Tournament semi-final.
• On September 8, they drew 0–0 with the Philippines in the Merdeka Tournament third-place match. Tajikistan won the penalty shootout 4–3.
• On October 11, they lost 1–0 to Syria in the King's Cup semi-final.
• On October 14, they lost 0–3 to the Philippines in the King's Cup third-place match.
• On November 13, Tajikistan won a friendly match 4–0 against Nepal.
• On November 19, they won another friendly 3–1 against Afghanistan.

Matches in 2025

Tajikistan continued to play friendly matches and Asian Cup qualifiers in 2025.

• On March 20, they played a friendly match against Belarus and lost 0–5.
• On March 25, they won 1–0 against Timor-Leste in an AFC Asian Cup qualification match.
• On June 5, Tajikistan won a friendly match 2–1 against Cambodia.
• On June 10, they drew 2–2 with the Philippines in another AFC Asian Cup qualification game.

Upcoming matches for Tajikistan include:

• Three matches in the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup in August and September against Malaysia, Afghanistan, and Iran.
• AFC Asian Cup qualification matches in October and November against Maldives and Timor-Leste.
• An AFC Asian Cup qualification match in March 2026 against the Philippines.

Coaching Staff

The team has a dedicated coaching staff to help the players.

Petar Šegrt was the manager of Tajikistan from 2022 to 2024.

Position	Name
Head coach	Gela Shekiladze
Assistant coach	Tamaz Bokeria
Goalkeeper coach	Alisher Tuychiev
Physiotherapists	Saidjon Ergashev Davron Juraev
Team Doctor	Dr. Farrukh Avezov
Match analyst	Alifbek Beromov
Technical director	Salokhidin Gafurov

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the Tajikistan national football team over the years.

Team Players

Current Squad

These are the 23 players who were called up for Tajikistan's friendly match against Cambodia and their 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification match against the Philippines in June 2025.

The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are updated as of June 10, 2025, after the match against the Philippines.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Rustam Yatimov	(1998-07-13) 13 July 1998 (age 27)	47	0	Rostov
16	1GK	Safarmad Ghafforov	(2004-04-14) 14 April 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Barkchi Hisor
23	1GK	Oleg Baklov	(1994-10-20) 20 October 1994 (age 30)	6	0	Ufa
2	2DF	Zoir Dzhuraboyev	(1998-09-16) 16 September 1998 (age 26)	51	2	Sogdiana Jizzakh
3	2DF	Tabrez Islomov	(1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 27)	37	1	Istiklol
4	2DF	Sodikjon Kurbonov	(2003-01-19) 19 January 2003 (age 22)	8	0	Istiklol
5	2DF	Manuchekhr Safarov	(2001-05-31) 31 May 2001 (age 24)	50	1	Dinamo Samarqand
6	2DF	Vahdat Hanonov	(2000-07-25) 25 July 2000 (age 25)	40	5	Sepahan
12	2DF	Mekhrubon Karimov	(2004-01-09) 9 January 2004 (age 21)	10	0	Samgurali Tsqaltubo
19	2DF	Akhtam Nazarov	(1992-09-29) 29 September 1992 (age 32)	93	5	Istiklol
21	2DF	Muso Kakhorov	(2007-06-01) 1 June 2007 (age 18)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor
7	3MF	Parvizdzhon Umarbayev (captain)	(1994-11-01) 1 November 1994 (age 30)	65	11	Lokomotiv Plovdiv
8	3MF	Amirbek Juraboev	(1996-04-13) 13 April 1996 (age 29)	63	1	Istiklol
10	3MF	Alidzhoni Ayni	(2004-08-06) 6 August 2004 (age 20)	17	0	Samgurali Tskaltubo
13	3MF	Amadoni Kamolov	(2003-01-16) 16 January 2003 (age 22)	14	2	Gol Gohar Sirjan
17	3MF	Ehson Panjshanbe	(1999-05-12) 12 May 1999 (age 26)	61	6	Sogdiana Jizzakh
18	3MF	Shukhrat Elmurodov	(2002-01-31) 31 January 2002 (age 23)	2	0	Khujand
20	3MF	Fatkhullo Olimzoda	(2005-08-03) 3 August 2005 (age 20)	7	0	Arsenal Dzerzhinsk
	3MF	Azizbek Khaitov	(2003-04-06) 6 April 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Ravshan Kulob
9	4FW	Daler Sharipov	(2004-02-13) 13 February 2004 (age 21)	5	0	Shurtan Guzar
11	4FW	Nuriddin Khamrokulov	(1999-10-25) 25 October 1999 (age 25)	26	2	Vakhsh Bokhtar
14	4FW	Sheriddin Boboev	(1999-04-21) 21 April 1999 (age 26)	23	2	Ravshan Kulob
15	4FW	Shervoni Mabatshoev	(2000-12-04) 4 December 2000 (age 24)	33	7	Kapaz
22	4FW	Shahrom Samiev	(2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 24)	42	10	Khorazm

Recent Call-ups

These players have also been called to the national team in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Daler Barotov	(1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26)	3	0	Khujand	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
GK	Mukhriddin Khasanov	(2002-09-23) 23 September 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Alidzhon Karomatullozoda	(2002-05-05) 5 May 2002 (age 23)	4	0	Ravshan Kulob	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Fakhriddin Akhtamov	(2004-11-26) 26 November 2004 (age 20)	3	0	Khujand	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Rakhmatsho Rakhmatzoda	(2004-04-06) 6 April 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Nigmatullozoda Barakatullo	(2006-08-17) 17 August 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Rustam Kamolov	(2007-06-04) 4 June 2007 (age 18)	0	0	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Aleksandr Mukhin	(2005-08-15) 15 August 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Arsenal Tula	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Dilovar Dzhamshedzoda	(2006-12-02) 2 December 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
DF	Mekhrubon Gafforzoda	(2004-05-15) 15 May 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov	(1998-10-15) 15 October 1998 (age 26)	50	3	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Alisher Dzhalilov	(1993-08-29) 29 August 1993 (age 31)	32	7	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Alisher Shukurov	(2002-03-30) 30 March 2002 (age 23)	12	0	Tyumen	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Islom Zoirov	(2002-01-12) 12 January 2002 (age 23)	10	1	Khosilot Farkhor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Murodali Aknazarov	(2004-11-19) 19 November 2004 (age 20)	5	0	Samtredia	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Ruslan Khayloyev	(2003-10-29) 29 October 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Salokhiddin Irgashev	(2003-07-03) 3 July 2003 (age 22)	3	0	Arsenal Dzerzhinsk	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Abubakr Sulaimonov	(2006-09-18) 18 September 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Vakhsh Bokhtar	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Azizbek Daliev	(2005-04-16) 16 April 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Dzhovidon Khushvakhtov	(2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Mekhrubon Odilzoda	(2009-09-15) 15 September 2009 (age 15)	0	0	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Sheroz Sharipov	(2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 (age 21)	0	0	CSKA Pamir Dushanbe	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Faridun Davlatov	(2004-02-12) 12 February 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Regar-TadAZ	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Abdullo Sharipov	(2004-05-03) 3 May 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Regar-TadAZ	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
MF	Khusrav Toirov	(2004-08-01) 1 August 2004 (age 21)	5	0	Chornomorets Odesa	v.  Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Sharafdzhon Solehov	(1999-12-14) 14 December 1999 (age 25)	11	1	Regar-TadAZ	v.  Philippines, 8 September 2024
MF	Vaisiddin Safarov	(1996-04-15) 15 April 1996 (age 29)	2	0	CSKA Pamir Dushanbe	v.  Philippines, 8 September 2024
FW	Manuchekhr Dzhalilov	(1990-09-27) 27 September 1990 (age 34)	54	20	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
FW	Rustam Soirov	(2002-09-12) 12 September 2002 (age 22)	25	5	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
FW	Muhammadali Azizboev	(2003-01-04) 4 January 2003 (age 22)	2	0	Parvoz Bobojon Ghafurov	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
FW	Masrur Gafurov	(2006-01-21) 21 January 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
FW	Shakhboz Khabibov	(2004-08-16) 16 August 2004 (age 20)	0	0	CSKA Pamir Dushanbe	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
FW	Mukhammad Nazriev	(2008-10-23) 23 October 2008 (age 16)	0	0	Istiklol	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
FW	Sherzod Radjabov	(2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 19)	0	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Cambodia, 5 June 2025PRE
FW	Bilol Boboev	(2006-06-30) 30 June 2006 (age 19)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor	v.  Philippines, 8 September 2024
INJ Withdrew due to injury RET Retired WTH Withdrawn PRE Preliminary squad

Team Records

These tables show the players with the most games played and the top goal scorers for Tajikistan.

Players whose names are in bold are still playing for the Tajikistan national team.

Most Appearances

Top Goalscorers

Tournament Records

Tajikistan has competed in several major football tournaments.

FIFA World Cup Record

Tajikistan was part of the Soviet Union team until 1990. They did not become a FIFA member until after the 1994 World Cup. They have tried to qualify for the World Cup several times but have not yet made it to the main tournament.

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1990	Part of the  Soviet Union									Part of the  Soviet Union
1994	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1998	Did not qualify									6	4	1	1	15	2
2002										2	1	0	1	16	2
2006										8	4	1	3	9	9
2010										4	1	2	1	7	4
2014										8	2	1	5	7	18
2018										8	1	2	5	9	20
2022										8	4	1	3	14	12
2026										6	2	2	2	11	7
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total	—	0/8								40	19	10	21	88	74

AFC Asian Cup Record

Tajikistan was part of the Soviet Union until 1988. They did not enter the Asian Cup until 1996. They qualified for the first time in 2023 and reached the quarter-finals.

AFC Asian Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1956 to 1988	Part of the  Soviet Union									Part of the  Soviet Union
1992	Did not enter									Did not enter
1996	Did not qualify									2	1	0	1	4	5
2000										3	2	0	1	6	5
2004										6	2	2	2	3	5
2007	Did not enter									Did not enter
2011	Did not qualify									2008 AFC Challenge Cup / 2010 AFC Challenge Cup
2015										2012 AFC Challenge Cup / 2014 AFC Challenge Cup
2019										16	5	3	8	25	29
2023	Quarter-finals	8th	5	1	2	2	3	4		11	6	2	3	19	12
2027	Qualification in progress									6	2	2	2	11	7
Total	Quarter-finals	1/7	5	1	2	2	3	4		44	18	9	17	68	63

AFC Challenge Cup Record

Tajikistan has had good success in the AFC Challenge Cup, winning it once.

AFC Challenge Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2006	Champions	6	5	0	1	18	2		N/A
2008	Runners-up	5	2	2	1	7	5		3	2	0	1	7	1
2010	Third place	5	3	0	2	8	5		Automatic Qualifier
2012	Group stage	3	1	0	2	3	4		3	2	1	0	4	0
2014	Did not qualify								3	2	0	1	4	1
Total	1 Title	16	10	2	3	32	12		9	6	1	2	15	2

Asian Games Record

Football at the Asian Games became a tournament for players under 23 years old starting in 2002.

Asian Games record
Year	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1951 to 1990	Part of the  Soviet Union
1994	Did not enter
1998	Second round	5	1	1	3	8	13
2002 to present	See Tajikistan national under-23 football team
Total		5	1	1	3	8	13

CAFA Nations Cup Record

Tajikistan has also played in the CAFA Nations Cup.

CAFA Nations Cup record
Year	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2023	Group stage	3	0	2	1	3	7
Total		3	0	2	1	3	7

Team Honours

Tajikistan has won some important football titles.

Continental Titles

• AFC Challenge Cup
  • Champions (1): 2006
  • Runners-up (1): 2008
  • Third place (1): 2010

Friendly Tournament Titles

• King's Cup (1): 2022
• Merdeka Tournament (1): 2023

Summary of Honours

This table shows the official titles won by the team.

Senior Competition				Total
AFC Challenge Cup	1	1	1	3
Total	1	1	1	3

Head-to-Head Records

This table shows how Tajikistan has performed against other national teams.

Opponents	Played	Won	Drawn*	Lost	GF	GA	GD	% Won
Afghanistan	7	6	1	0	15	2	+13	85.71
Australia	2	0	0	2	0	10	-10	0
Azerbaijan	1	0	0	1	2	3	-1	0
Bahrain	5	0	2	3	1	11	-10	0
Bangladesh	10	7	2	1	29	5	+24	70
Belarus	2	0	0	2	1	11	-10	0
Bhutan	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	100
Brunei	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4	100
Cambodia	2	2	0	0	5	1	+4	100
China	6	0	2	4	1	9	-8	0
Estonia	1	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0
Hong Kong	2	1	1	0	1	0	+1	50
Guam	1	1	0	0	16	0	+16	100
India	5	3	1	1	11	7	+4	60
Iran	3	0	0	3	1	13	-12	0
Iraq	2	0	1	1	1	2	-1	0
Japan	4	0	0	4	1	19	-18	0
Jordan	7	1	1	5	3	13	-10	14.29
Kazakhstan	5	0	1	4	3	9	-6	0
Kuwait	2	0	0	2	1	5	-4	0
Kyrgyzstan	14	8	3	3	16	10	+6	57.14
Lebanon	2	1	0	1	2	2	0	50
Macau	2	2	0	0	7	0	+7	100
Malaysia	4	2	1	1	6	2	+4	50
Maldives	3	2	1	0	5	0	+5	66.67
Mongolia	2	2	0	0	4	0	+4	100
Myanmar	5	4	0	1	15	4	+11	80
Nepal	4	4	0	0	11	1	+10	100
North Korea	6	1	1	4	2	6	-4	16.67
Oman	6	1	2	3	9	12	-3	16.67
Pakistan	4	4	0	0	12	1	+11	100
[[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]]	4	0	3	1	4	6	-2	0
Philippines	8	1	3	4	9	13	-4	12.5
Qatar	5	1	0	4	3	11	-8	20
Russia	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
Saudi Arabia	3	0	1	2	1	5	-4	0
Singapore	4	2	1	1	4	3	+1	50
South Korea	1	0	0	1	1	4	-3	0
Sri Lanka	4	3	1	0	11	3	+8	75
Syria	9	3	1	5	11	8	+3	33.33
Thailand	3	1	1	1	3	3	0	33.33
East Timor	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100
Trinidad and Tobago	1	1	0	0	2	1	+1	100
Turkmenistan	7	3	2	2	11	6	+5	42.86
Uganda	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	0
United Arab Emirates	3	0	2	1	3	4	-1	0
Uzbekistan	9	1	2	6	8	21	-13	11.11
Vietnam	2	2	0	0	8	0	+8	100
Yemen	4	1	1	2	3	4	-1	25
Total	191	74	40	77	274	254	+20	38.74

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Tayikistán para niños