Azerbaijan national football team

The Azerbaijan national football team (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan milli futbol komandası) is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan. It represents Azerbaijan in international football competitions. The majority of Azerbaijan's home matches are held at the national stadium, Baku Olympic Stadium, with friendly matches sometimes hosted at club stadiums.

Azerbaijan
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Milli komanda (The National Team)
AssociationAzərbaycan Futbol Federasiyaları Assosiasiyası (AFFA)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachArif Asadov (caretaker)
CaptainEmin Mahmudov
Most capsRashad Sadygov (111)
Top scorerGurban Gurbanov (14)
Home stadiumBaku Olympic Stadium
FIFA codeAZE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 112 Increase 1 (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest73 (July 2014)
Lowest170 (June 1994)
First international
Unofficial
 Georgia 6–3 Azerbaijan 
(Gurjaani, Georgia; 17 September 1992)[2][3]
Biggest win
 Azerbaijan 4–0 Liechtenstein 
(Baku, Azerbaijan; 5 June 1999)
 Azerbaijan 5–1 San Marino 
(Baku, Azerbaijan; 4 September 2017)
Biggest defeat
 France 10–0 Azerbaijan 
(Auxerre, France; 6 September 1995)

The Azerbaijan national football team has taken part in qualification for each major tournament since Euro 1996, but has never qualified for the finals tournament of any World Cup or European Championships. Despite this, Azerbaijan was the first Caucasus country to host a major tournament, the UEFA Euro 2020, even though the national side was the only host to be eliminated in the first round of qualifying.

History

Early period (before the 1920s)

In the early twentieth century, football began to become popular in Azerbaijan, which was then part of the Russian Empire. In 1912, Azerbaijani football players had their first "international match" and they won in Tbilisi, Georgia against the local "Sokol" team with 4:2. During 1912–1913, matches between Azerbaijani and Georgian football teams were organized, first in Tbilisi and then in Baku. In 1914, the Football Union was founded in Azerbaijan. The Football Union undertook the organization of official city championships and other competitions.[5]

Soviet era (1920s–1991)

The oldest records of football teams in Soviet Azerbaijan goes back to 1926–1927, when Trans-Caucasian Championship was organized in Tbilisi. Three South Caucasian countries participated: Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.[2] The Azerbaijan national football team held its first friendly matches against Georgia and Armenia in 1927 for the Trans-Caucasian Championship in Georgia.[2] Also in 1926, football players from Azerbaijan played three matches with Football team from Iran in Baku. In 1929, there were played three matches between these teams in Tehran. In all matches Azerbaijan players won.[6][7]

The 1960s is considered the Golden Age for Azerbaijani football as it produced great players like Anatoliy Banishevskiy, Alakbar Mammadov and the football referee Tofiq Bahramov, most famous for being the linesman who helped to award a goal for England in the 1966 World Cup Final between England and West Germany.

Post-independence (1992–present)

1990s

After Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1991, AFFA — Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan — was created. In 1992, renowned Azerbaijani footballer Alekper Mamedov became the first head coach of the Azerbaijani national football team, compiling a 3–1 record as coach that includes the first ever national team victory, over Georgia on May 25, 1993.[8][9] In 1994, the national team was accepted into FIFA and UEFA. The security issues, forced the team to play all of its home Euro 96 qualifiers in Trabzon, Turkey.[10]

2000s

Azerbaijani squad in 2008.

As of the early 2000s, Azerbaijani football federation started to integrate more players to the national team through FIFA's eligibility rules.[11] In February 2004, Carlos Alberto Torres, captain of the Brazil team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup was appointed its national coach. Despite a poor start, a 0–6 defeat to Israel on February 18, Azerbaijan won their first ever away match, 3–2 against Kazakhstan on April 28. In June 2005, following a 3–0 defeat by Poland, Torres stood down from the position, to be replaced by former Neftchi coach Vagif Sadygov, his third spell as coach of Azerbaijan. Shahin Diniyev took over as manager in November 2005. He resigned on 31 October 2007, and Gjoko Hadzievski was named as care-taking coach of Azerbaijan.[12]

In April 2008, former German football player and coach Berti Vogts was appointed as a manager of Azerbaijan on a two-year contract.[13] Azerbaijan had a mixed qualifying campaign, finishing with 5 points, just missing out on a last place to Liechtenstein with 2 points.

In November 2009, AFFA extended Berti Vogts' contract a further two years, making him the first manager to manage the weak Azerbaijani national team in two qualification cycles.[14][15]

2010s

In 2010, following a shock win over Turkey, the team reached 90th place in FIFA World Rankings, Azerbaijan's highest position ever in country's football history.[16][17] After victory over Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan also broke their scoring and points records by gaining 7 points and scoring 10 goals.[18][19]

In November 2011, AFFA extended Berti Vogts' contract a further two years, until the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle.[20] Under Vogts, Azerbaijan had some poor results, not being able to defeat second-string sides. Vogts faced major criticism, protest and demonstration from local supporters and the media.[21][22] However, Azerbaijan managed to finish qualification cycle in fourth place, the team's best ever finish.[23] In December 2013, Vogts being granted a new two-year contract, with aim to lead Azerbaijan through EURO 2016 qualifying.[24] In July 2014, Azerbaijan beat its ranking record by reaching 73rd place in FIFA World Rankings. Following three straight losses, Vogts resigned from his post after spending six years in charge of Azerbaijan.[25][26]

Succeeding Vogts as full-time manager was former Croatia international Robert Prosinečki. He guided the Azerbaijani team to another record points haul (10) in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, but the team still finished fifth in the six-team Group C. Prosinečki resigned after deciding not to extend his contract with the Azerbaijan Football Federation and was succeeded by fellow countryman Nikola Jurčević.

2020s

The UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying proved to be a disaster for Azerbaijan as the team finished in bottom with a complete seven defeats, including a famous 1-5 at home against Slovakia, and only one draw, which was, surprisingly, against 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia, the home of the manager. Nikola Jurčević departed following the poor performance of Azerbaijan.

Team image

Colours

Azerbaijan national football team in October 2013.

As of UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying round, Azerbaijan's home colours are all-red kit. The team wears an all-blue kit for away games. This combination of colours is traditional for the national team since their first game. At the beginning of 90s, the team wore a white shirt, but towards the end of the decade it was transformed into blue-white striped shirts. At the beginning of the 2000s, the kit was replaced by the white shirt with a vertical tricolour stripe, formed of the colors from the national flag of Azerbaijan on the chest. The kit was changed into blue shirts, red shorts and green socks only for the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying round. After the tournament, the national team went back to their usual combination of colours.

Azerbaijan national team's away colours were yellow-black striped shirts, black shorts and yellow socks until UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying round, when it was decided to abandon this kit in favor of the completely blue. During the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying round games the team has used an all red kit.

Since 2017, Azerbaijan's kit has been supplied by Nike. They took over from Puma who were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2004 and 2006. Before that Umbro were Azerbaijan's kit suppliers between 2002 and 2004.

Nickname

Azerbaijan is often referred to by the media and supporters as Milli (The National), which is the nickname associated with all of Azerbaijan's international sporting teams due to the team's utilization of the country's national colors.[27]

Stadium

Most of Azerbaijan's home matches are played at the new Baku Olympic Stadium in Baku. It has been Azerbaijan's primary home stadium ever since the move from Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in 2015. Today, some qualifying matches and friendly matches are still hosted at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium, whereas others are hosted at the Lankaran City Stadium, Bakcell Arena and Dalga Arena after it met UEFA stadium criteria.[28][29]

Media coverage and public relations

Azerbaijan's matches are presently covered by the public channel İTV.[30] 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match rights were held by AZTV and Idman Azerbaijan TV.[31]

AZTV, Idman Azerbaijan TV and Lider TV are among other networks that have previously shown live fixtures.[32]

Kit suppliers

Kit providerPeriod
Adidas1992–1994
Diadora1995
Puma1996–2000
Diadora2000–2002
Umbro2002–2004
Puma2004–2006
Umbro2006–2017
Nike2017–present

Results and fixtures

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

v  Azerbaijan
27 March 2023 (2023-03-27) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Sweden  5–0  Azerbaijan Solna, Sweden
20:45 UTC+2
ReportStadium: Friends Arena
Attendance: 23,674
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France)
v  Estonia
17 June 2023 (2023-06-17) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Azerbaijan  1–1  Estonia Baku, Azerbaijan
20:00 UTC+4ReportStadium: Dalga Arena
Attendance: 3,900
Referee: Ondřej Berka (Czech Republic)
v  Belgium
9 September 2023 (2023-09-09) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Azerbaijan  0–1  Belgium Baku, Azerbaijan
17:00 UTC+4ReportStadium: Dalga Arena
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Nenad Minaković (Serbia)
v  Jordan
12 September 2023 (2023-09-12) Friendly Azerbaijan  2–1  Jordan Baku, Azerbaijan
18:00 UTC+3
ReportStadium: Dalga Arena
Referee: Arda Kardeşler (Turkey)
v  Azerbaijan
13 October 2023 (2023-10-13) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Estonia  0–2  Azerbaijan Tallinn, Estonia
19:00 UTC+3ReportStadium: Lilleküla Stadium
Attendance: 5,652
Referee: Robert Schröder (Germany)
v  Austria
16 October 2023 (2023-10-16) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Azerbaijan  0–1  Austria Baku, Azerbaijan
20:00 UTC+4Report
Stadium: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
Attendance: 4,446
Referee: Aristotelis Diamantopoulos (Greece)
v  Sweden
16 November 2023 (2023-11-16) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Azerbaijan  3–0  Sweden Baku, Azerbaijan
21:00 UTC+4
ReportStadium: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
Attendance: 5,570
Referee: Esther Staubli (Switzerland)
v  Azerbaijan
19 November 2023 (2023-11-19) UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Belgium  5–0  Azerbaijan Brussels, Belgium
18:00 UTC+1
ReportStadium: King Baudouin Stadium
Attendance: 30,276
Referee: Gergő Bogár (Hungary)

2024

v  Mongolia
22 March 2024 (2024-03-22) 2024 FIFA Series Azerbaijan  1–0  Mongolia Baku, Azerbaijan
20:00 UTC+4Mustafazadə 90+1'ReportStadium: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
Referee: Zorbay Küçük (Turkey)
v  Bulgaria
25 March 2024 (2024-03-25) 2024 FIFA Series Azerbaijan  1–1  Bulgaria Baku, Azerbaijan
18:00 UTC+4Qurbanlı 87'ReportKrastev 59'Stadium: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
Attendance: 3,220
Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)
v  Azerbaijan
7 June 2024 (2024-06-07) Friendly Albania  v  Azerbaijan
--:-- 
v  Sweden
5 September 2024 (2024-09-05) 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C Azerbaijan  v  Sweden Azerbaijan
20:00 UTC+4Report
v  Azerbaijan
8 September 2024 (2024-09-08) 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C Slovakia  v  Azerbaijan Slovakia
18:00 UTC+2Report
v  Azerbaijan
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C Estonia  v  Azerbaijan Tallinn, Estonia
21:45 UTC+3ReportStadium: Lilleküla Stadium
v  Slovakia
14 October 2024 (2024-10-14) 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C Azerbaijan  v  Slovakia Azerbaijan
20:00 UTC+4Report
v  Estonia
16 November 2024 (2024-11-16) 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C Azerbaijan  v  Estonia Azerbaijan
18:00 UTC+4Report
v  Azerbaijan
19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2024–25 UEFA Nations League C Sweden  v  Azerbaijan Solna, Sweden
20:45 UTC+1ReportStadium: Friends Arena

Coaching staff

PositionName
Interim head coach Arif Asadov

Coaching staff

Under Berti Vogts, Azerbaijan reached its highest position ever in FIFA World Rankings
As of 1 November 2023[33]

Players

Current squad

Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2023, after the match against  Belgium

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11GKShakhruddin Magomedaliyev (1994-06-12) 12 June 1994 (age 29)260 Adana Demirspor
231GKSəlahət Ağayev (1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 33)210 Sabail
121GKRza Cafarli (2003-03-07) 7 March 2003 (age 21)00 Neftçi

172DFToral Bayramov (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 23)191 Qarabağ
32DFElvin Cafarguliyev (2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 23)171 Qarabağ
132DFRahil Mammadov (1995-11-24) 24 November 1995 (age 28)160 ŁKS Łódź
22DFAmin Seydiyev (1998-10-15) 15 October 1998 (age 25)70 Sabah
42DFBəhlul Mustafazadə (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 27)270 Qarabağ
52DFBəxtiyar Həsənalızadə (1992-12-29) 29 December 1992 (age 31)40 Tuzlaspor
152DFBadavi Guseynov (1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 (age 32)671 Qarabağ

83MFEmin Mahmudov (captain) (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992 (age 32)4513 Neftçi
73MFCoşqun Diniyev (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 28)200 Ümraniyespor
163MFElvin Camalov (1995-02-04) 4 February 1995 (age 29)150 Sabah
103MFOzan Kökçü (1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 25)60 FC Eindhoven
213MFQismət Alıyev (1996-10-24) 24 October 1996 (age 27)80 Zira
3MFSabuhi Abdullazade (2001-12-18) 18 December 2001 (age 22)00 Sumgayit
143MFEddy Pascual (1992-08-02) 2 August 1992 (age 31)240 Neftçi
203MFVusal Isgandarli (1995-11-03) 3 November 1995 (age 28)10 Boluspor
193MFFilip Ozobić (1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 33)131 Neftçi
3MFMurad Khachayev (1998-04-14) 14 April 1998 (age 26)10 Sumgayit
3MFRovlan Muradov (1998-03-28) 28 March 1998 (age 26)00 Sumgayit
3MFOrxan Əliyev (1995-12-21) 21 December 1995 (age 28)00 Araz Naxçıvan
63MFEmil Mustafayev (2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 (age 22)00 Polissya Zhytomyr

94FWRenat Dadashov (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 24)283 Hatayspor
224FWMusa Qurbanlı (2002-04-13) 13 April 2002 (age 22)101 Djurgårdens IF
114FWRamil Sheydayev (1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 (age 28)5910 Kocaelispor

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.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GKYusif İmanov (2002-03-27) 27 March 2002 (age 22)10 Sabahv.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
GKRashad Azizli (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30)00 Gabalav.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
GKEmil BalayevINJ (1994-04-17) 17 April 1994 (age 30)140 Neftçiv.  Estonia, 17 June 2023

DFAnton KryvotsyukINJ (1998-08-20) 20 August 1998 (age 25)361 Daejeon Citizenv.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DFHojjat Haghverdi (1993-02-03) 3 February 1993 (age 31)241 Neftçiv.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DFCəlal Hüseynov (2003-01-02) 2 January 2003 (age 21)50 Arda Kardzhaliv.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DFTuran Manafov (1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 25)00 Araz Naxçıvanv.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DFElvin Badalov (1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 28)80 Sumgayitv.  Jordan, 12 September 2023
DFYusif Nabiyev (1997-09-03) 3 September 1997 (age 26)10 Sabailv.  Austria 16 October 2023

MFEmil Safarov (2002-10-30) 30 October 2002 (age 21)30 Gabalav.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
MFNariman Akhundzade (2004-04-23) 23 April 2004 (age 20)10 Qarabağv.  Belgium, 19 November 2023

FWMahir EmreliINJ (1997-07-01) 1 July 1997 (age 26)465 Dinamo Zagrebv.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
FWRustam Akhmedzade (2000-12-25) 25 December 2000 (age 23)80 Zirav.  Belgium, 19 November 2023

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.
COV Withdrew after testing positive for COVID-19.

Player statistics

As of 19 November 2023[35]
Players in bold are still active with Azerbaijan.

Most appearances

Rashad Sadygov is Azerbaijan's most capped player with 111 appearances.
RankNameCapsGoalsCareer
1Rashad Sadygov11152001–2017
2Maksim Medvedev8142009–present
3Aslan Kerimov8011994–2008
4Kamran Agayev7902008–2018
5Gara Garayev7602013–present
Mahir Shukurov7642004–2014
7Tarlan Ahmadov7401992–2005
8Mahmud Qurbanov7111994–2008
9Gurban Gurbanov68141992–2005
10Badavi Guseynov6612012–present

Top goalscorers

Gurban Gurbanov is Azerbaijan's all-time leading goalscorer with 14 goals.
RankNameGoalsCapsAverageCareer
1Gurban Gurbanov14680.211992–2005
2Emin Mahmudov13440.32016–present
3Ramil Sheydayev10590.172016–present
4Vagif Javadov9580.162006–2014
5Elvin Mammadov7390.182008–2017
Branimir Subašić7400.182007–2013
Rauf Aliyev7460.152010–present
Dimitrij Nazarov7460.152014–present
9Zaur Tagizade6400.151997–2008
10Rufat Dadashov5240.212013–present
Nazim Suleymanov5240.211992–1998
Farrukh Ismayilov5330.151997–2008
Vidadi Rzayev5370.141992–2001
Afran Ismayilov5390.132010–2018
Mahir Emreli5450.112017–present
Rashad Sadygov51110.051992–1998

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGAPldWDLGFGAPosition
1930 to 1990Part of  Soviet UnionPart of  Soviet Union
1994Not a FIFA memberNot a FIFA member
1998Did not qualify81073225/5
2002101274176/6
2006100371216/6
2010101274145/6
2014101637114/6
20181031610195/6
202280175185/5
2026To be determinedTo be determined
2030
2034
Total0/7667154434122

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship recordQualifying record
YearRoundPositionPldWD*LGFGAPldWDLGFGAPosition
1960 to 1988Part of  Soviet UnionPart of  Soviet Union
1992Part of  CISPart of  CIS
1996Did not qualify100192296/6
2000101186265/6
200481165205/5
2008121296288/8
20121021710265/6
2016101367185/6
202080175185/5
202482157174/5
2028To be determinedTo be determined
2032
Total0/8768115748182

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
SeasonDivisionGroupRoundPos.PldWD*LGFGAP/RRK
2018–19D3Group stage2nd623176 46th
2020–21C1Group stage3rd613224 43rd
2022–23C3Group stage2nd631274 38th
2024–25C1To be determined
TotalGroup stage (C)3/318675161438th

Honours

Third place (1): 1993
  • UAE International Cup
Third place (1): 2009

See also

Notes

References

External links