Tajikistan national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Tajikistan women's national football team.

Quick facts for kids
Tajikistan

Nickname(s)

Crowns

Association

TFF

Confederation

AFC (Asia)

Sub-confederation

CAFA (Central Asia)

Head coach

Gela Shekiladze

Captain

Parvizdzhon Umarbayev

Most caps

Akhtam Nazarov (90)

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. The team is controlled by the Tajikistan Football Federation, which is the main group for football in Tajikistan. Their home stadium is the Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe.

History of the Team

Tajikistan played its very first official game on April 11, 1994, in Tashkent. They lost that game against Kazakhstan 0–1.

The team first entered a big competition to qualify for the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. They played against Uzbekistan and won one game 4–0, but lost the other 0–5 after extra time.

Tajikistan did not try to qualify for the FIFA World Cup until the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In their group, they won 4 games, including a big 5–0 win over Turkmenistan. They finished second in their group, just behind China, which meant they did not make it to the World Cup.

After trying many times, Tajikistan finally qualified for their first major tournament, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. They hired a new coach, Petar Šegrt, and played in the third round of qualifiers. They won against Myanmar (4–0) and Singapore (1–0). They also had a 0–0 draw with their neighbor Kyrgyzstan. By topping their group, they earned their spot in the 2023 Asian Cup.

In the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Tajikistan made history by reaching the quarter-finals! They played against Jordan and lost 1–0 due to an own goal by Vahdat Hanonov.

Team Kit

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

Recent Games

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2023 Matches

2026 World Cup qualification 21 November 2023	Pakistan	1–6	Tajikistan	Islamabad, Pakistan
14:00 UTC+5	Nabi 21'		Kamolov 9', 65' Soirov 13' Umarbayev 27' Panjshanbe 45' Samiev 90'	Stadium: Jinnah Sports Stadium Attendance: 18,316

2024 Matches

Unofficial Friendly 4 January	Hong Kong	1–2	Tajikistan	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
17:00 UTC+5	Camargo 33'		Soirov 25' Samiev 51'	Stadium: Zayed Cricket Training Centre Attendance: 0

2023 AFC Asian Cup GS 13 January	China	0–0	Tajikistan	Doha, Qatar
19:30 UTC+5				Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium Attendance: 4,001

2023 AFC Asian Cup GS 22 January	Tajikistan	2–1	Lebanon	Al Rayyan, Qatar
20:00 UTC+5	Umarbayev 80' Khamrokulov 90+1'		Jradi 47'	Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 11,843

2023 AFC Asian Cup R16 28 January	Tajikistan	1–1 (5–3 pen)	United Arab Emirates	Al Rayyan, Qatar
21:00 UTC+5	Hanonov 30'		Al Hammadi 90+5'	Stadium: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Attendance: 33,584
		Penalties
	*Nazarov Khanonov Panjshanbe Soirov Shukurov		* Idrees Caio Lima Saleh

2023 AFC Asian Cup QF 2 February	Tajikistan	0–1	Jordan	Al Rayyan, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3			Hanonov 66' (o.g.)	Stadium: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium Attendance: 35,530

2026 World Cup qualification 11 June	Tajikistan	3–0	Pakistan	Dushanbe, Tajikistan
20:00 UTC+5	Mabatshoev 35' Safarov 65' Hanonov 70'			Stadium: Pamir Stadium Attendance: 7,800

Friendly 13 November	Tajikistan	4–0	Nepal	Dushanbe, Tajikistan
18:00 UTC+5	Mabatshoev 19', 44' A.Dzhalilov 29', 50'			Stadium: Pamir Stadium

Friendly 19 November	Tajikistan	3–1	Afghanistan	Dushanbe, Tajikistan
18:00 UTC+5	Juraboev 11' Samiev 27' Yatimov 39' Soirov 70'		Asekzai 37'	Stadium: Pamir Stadium

Coaching Staff

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

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Sharif Nazarov (1992–1994)
Vladimir Ghulamhaydarov (1994–1995)
Abdulla Muradov (1996)
Zair Babayev (1997–1998)
Sharif Nazarov (1999)
Salahiddin Ghafurov (2000–2002)
Sharif Nazarov (2003)
Zair Babayev (2004)
Sharif Nazarov (2004–2006)
Mahmadjan Habibullayev (2007)
Pulad Qadirov (2008–2011)
Alimjan Rafiqov (2011–2012)
Kemal Alispahić (2012)
Nikola Kavazović (2012–2013)
Mubin Ergashev (2013)
Mukhsin Mukhamadiev (2013–2015)
Mubin Ergashev (2015–2016)
Hakim Fuzaylov (2016–2018)
Alisher Tuhtayev (2018)
Usmon Toshev (2018–2021)
Mubin Ergashev (2021)
Petar Šegrt (2022–2024)
Gela Shekiladze (2024–present)

Players

Current Squad

The following 24 players were chosen for Tajikistan's friendly matches against Nepal and Afghanistan on November 13 and 19.

Caps (games played) and goals updated as of November 19, 2024, after the match against Afghanistan.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Rustam Yatimov	(1998-07-13) 13 July 1998 (age 26)	46	0	Rostov
16	1GK	Daler Barotov	(1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26)	3	0	Istaravshan
23	1GK	Oleg Baklov	(1994-10-20) 20 October 1994 (age 30)	3	0	Ufa
	1GK	Mukhriddin Khasanov	(2002-09-23) 23 September 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Istiklol

2	2DF	Zoir Dzhuraboyev	(1998-09-16) 16 September 1998 (age 26)	47	2	Neftchi Fergana
3	2DF	Tabrezi Davlatmir	(1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 (age 27)	35	1	Istiklol
5	2DF	Manuchekhr Safarov	(2001-05-31) 31 May 2001 (age 24)	46	1	Neftchi Fergana
6	2DF	Vakhdat Khanonov	(2000-07-25) 25 July 2000 (age 24)	37	4	Sepahan
12	2DF	Sodikjon Kurbonov	(2003-01-19) 19 January 2003 (age 22)	5	0	Istiklol
19	2DF	Akhtam Nazarov	(1992-09-29) 29 September 1992 (age 32)	90	5	Istiklol

4	3MF	Shukhrat Elmurodov	(2002-01-31) 31 January 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Regar-TadAZ
7	3MF	Parvizdzhon Umarbayev (captain)	(1994-11-01) 1 November 1994 (age 30)	61	10	CSKA 1948
8	3MF	Amirbek Juraboev	(1996-04-13) 13 April 1996 (age 29)	59	1	Istiklol
10	3MF	Alisher Dzhalilov	(1993-08-29) 29 August 1993 (age 31)	30	7	Istiklol
13	3MF	Amadoni Kamolov	(2003-01-16) 16 January 2003 (age 22)	10	2	Istiklol
14	3MF	Alisher Shukurov	(2002-03-30) 30 March 2002 (age 23)	12	0	Khatlon
17	3MF	Ehson Panjshanbe	(1999-05-12) 12 May 1999 (age 26)	57	5	Istiklol
	3MF	Azizbek Khaitov	(2003-04-06) 6 April 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Ravshan Kulob

9	4FW	Rustam Soirov	(2002-09-12) 12 September 2002 (age 22)	24	5	Istiklol
11	4FW	Daler Sharipov	(2004-02-13) 13 February 2004 (age 21)	5	0	Metallurg Bekabad
15	4FW	Shervoni Mabatshoev	(2000-12-04) 4 December 2000 (age 24)	29	6	Istiklol
18	4FW	Nuriddin Khamrokulov	(1999-10-25) 25 October 1999 (age 25)	23	2	Khosilot Farkhor
21	4FW	Manuchekhr Dzhalilov	(1990-09-27) 27 September 1990 (age 34)	52	20	Istiklol
22	4FW	Shahrom Samiev	(2001-02-08) 8 February 2001 (age 24)	38	9	Andijon

Recent Call-ups

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

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Safarmad Gafforov	(2004-04-14) 14 April 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Khujand	v. Philippines, 8 September 2024

DF	Rakhmatsho Rakhmatzoda	(2004-04-06) 6 April 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Persijap Jepara	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
DF	Mekhrubon Karimov	(2004-01-09) 9 January 2004 (age 21)	8	0	Samgurali Tsqaltubo	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
DF	Nigmatullozoda Barakatullo	(2006-08-17) 17 August 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
DF	Fakhriddin Akhtamov	(2004-11-26) 26 November 2004 (age 20)	3	0	FK Khujand	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
DF	Daler Imomnazarov	(1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 (age 30)	5	0	Eskhata Khujand	v. Saudi Arabia, 26 March 2024
DF	Kholmurod Nazarov	(1994-02-04) 4 February 1994 (age 31)	3	0	Ravshan Kulob	2023 AFC Asian Cup

MF	Salokhiddin Irgashev	(2003-07-03) 3 July 2003 (age 21)	3	0	Khatlon	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Abubakr Sulaimonov	(2006-09-18) 18 September 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Islom Zoirov	(2002-01-12) 12 January 2002 (age 23)	10	1	Khosilot Farkhor	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Azizbek Daliev	(2005-04-16) 16 April 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Barkchi Hisor	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Khusrav Toirov	(2004-08-01) 1 August 2004 (age 20)	5	0	Atyrau	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Fatkhullo Olimzoda	(2005-08-03) 3 August 2005 (age 19)	5	0	Atyrau	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Murodali Aknazarov	(2004-11-19) 19 November 2004 (age 20)	5	0	Samtredia	v. Philippines, 14 October 2024
MF	Dzhovidon Khushvakhtov	(2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor	v. Philippines, 8 September 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
MF	Abubakr Sulaymonov	(2006-09-18) 18 September 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Barkchi	v. Pakistan, 11 June 2024
MF	Alidzhoni Ayni	(2004-08-06) 6 August 2004 (age 20)	16	0	Istiklol	v. Saudi Arabia, 26 March 2024
MF	Ruslan Khayloyev	(2003-10-29) 29 October 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Istiklol	v. Saudi Arabia, 26 March 2024
MF	Komron Tursunov	(1996-04-24) 24 April 1996 (age 29)	28	6	Gokulam Kerala	2023 AFC Asian Cup
MF	Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov	(1998-10-15) 15 October 1998 (age 26)	51	3	Buxoro	2023 AFC Asian Cup

FW	Bilol Boboev	(2006-06-30) 30 June 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Barkchi Hisor	v. Philippines, 8 September 2024
FW	Muhammadali Azizboev	(2003-01-04) 4 January 2003 (age 22)	2	0	Khosilot Farkhor	2023 AFC Asian Cup
^INJ Withdrew due to injury ^RET Retired ^WTH Withdrawn

Team Records

Players in bold are still active with Tajikistan.

Most Games Played

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Akhtam Nazarov	90	5	2011–present
2	Davron Erghashev	72	8	2008–2022
3	Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev	71	10	2007–2019
4	Parvizdzhon Umarbayev	61	10	2015–present
5	Amirbek Juraboev	59	1	2014–present
6	Ehson Panjshanbe	57	5	2016–present
7	Dilshod Vasiev	52	9	2007–2017
8	Manuchekhr Dzhalilov	52	20	2011–present
9	Nuriddin Davronov	51	9	2008–2021
9	Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov	51	3	2016–present

Top Goal Scorers

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Manuchekhr Dzhalilov	20	52	0.38	2011–present
2	Yusuf Rabiev	15	40	0.38	2003–2015
3	Numonjon Hakimov	13	36	0.36	2003–2011
4	Tokhirjon Muminov	11	27	0.41	1993–2003
5	Parvizdzhon Umarbayev	10	61	0.16	2015–present
5	Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev	10	71	0.14	2007–2019
7	Shahrom Samiev	9	38	0.24	2015–present
	Nuriddin Davronov	9	51	0.18	2008–2021
	Dilshod Vasiev	9	52	0.17	2006–2015
10	Aliyor Ashurmamadov	8	15	0.53	1992–2006
	Dzhomikhon Mukhidinov	8	32	0.25	2003–2010
	Khurshed Makhmudov	8	46	0.17	2004–2016
	Davron Erghashev	8	72	0.11	2008–2022

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup

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	To be determined								To be determined
Total	—	0/8							40	19	10	21	88	74

AFC Asian Cup

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

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

Football at the Asian Games has been a tournament for players under 23 years old since 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

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

Continental Titles

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

Friendly Tournament Wins

ECO Cup
- Third place (1): 1993
AIFF Intercontinental Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2019
King's Cup
- Champions (1): 2022
Merdeka Tournament
- Champions (1): 2023
- Third place (1): 2024

Summary of Wins

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

Head-to-Head Record Against Other Teams

As of match played 19 November 2024 against Afghanistan.

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	1	0	0	1	1	6	-5	0
Bhutan	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	100
Brunei	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4	100
Cambodia	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3	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	7	1	2	4	7	11	-4	14.29
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
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	187	72	39	76	269	246	+23	38.5