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
NicknameMilli komanda (The National Team)
AssociationAssociation of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachAykhan Abbasov (caretaker)
CaptainEmin Mahmudov
Most capsRashad Sadygov (111)
Top scorerEmin Mahmudov (15)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeAZE
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 127 4 (19 November 2025)
Highest73 (July 2014)
Lowest170 (June 1994)
First international
Official
 Georgia 6–3 Azerbaijan 
(Gurjaani, Georgia; 17 September 1992)
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. Azerbaijan was the first Caucasus country to host a major football tournament, the UEFA Euro 2020.

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 4–2 in Tbilisi, Georgia against the local "Sokol" team. During 1912–1913, matches between the 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.

Soviet era (1920s–1991)

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

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 25 May 1993. The national team was accepted as a provisional member of UEFA on 2 December 1993, and later as a full member in May 1994 at the 22nd UEFA Congress in Vienna. It also joined FIFA in June 1994 at the 49th FIFA Congress in Chicago. The security issues forced the team to play all of its home UEFA Euro 1996 qualifiers in Trabzon, Turkey, after UEFA imposed a ban on home matches on October 21, 1994.

2000s

As of the early 2000s, Azerbaijani football federation started to integrate more players to the national team through FIFA's eligibility rules. 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.

In April 2008, former German football player and coach Berti Vogts was appointed as a manager of Azerbaijan on a two-year contract. 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 for a further two years, making him the first manager to manage the weak Azerbaijani national team in two qualification cycles.

2010s

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

In November 2011, AFFA extended Berti Vogts' contract for a further two years, until the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle. 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. However, Azerbaijan managed to finish the qualification cycle in fourth place, the team's best ever finish. In December 2013, Vogts being granted a new two-year contract, with the aim to lead Azerbaijan through EURO 2016 qualifying. 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.

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 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. After the qualifying, Azerbaijan turned out to be the only country ever to not qualify for a tournament they co-hosted.

The qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with new coach Gianni De Biasi also went horribly, with Azerbaijan getting only a single point in Group A in matches with strongholds Portugal and Serbia and secondary sides Ireland and Luxembourg. The Nations League that year was more successful. Azerbaijan was drawn into Group 3 of League C with Kazakhstan, Belarus and Slovakia. After failing to win against Kazakhstan and Slovakia and securing themselves a goalless draw against Belarus, the matches of the second leg were all wins. At the end, Azerbaijan finished second with 10 points, three points away from promoted first-place Kazakhstan. After losing three matches in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying and drawing once, De Biasi got sacked on 22 October 2023. The games without a manager were equal: Azerbaijan won 2 matches out of four, including a surprising 3-0 defeat of already-eliminated Sweden. The other two matches were both lost.

In March 2024, the assistant manager Arif Asadov was hired as caretaker manager. Under Asadov, the team won two out of 4 games. In June 2024, Former UEFA Euro 2016 winning coach Fernando Santos was appointed as the new manager. The 2024-25 UEFA Nations League went badly, securing only a draw against Estonia and getting relegated.

Team image

Colours

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 have 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.

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.

Media coverage and public relations

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

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

Kit suppliers

Kit provider Period
Adidas 1992–1994
Diadora 1995
Puma 1996–2000
Diadora 2000–2002
Umbro 2002–2004
Puma 2004–2006
Umbro 2006–2017
Nike 2017–2025
Puma 2025–

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

2025

Azerbaijan  v  Haiti
22 March 2025 Friendly Azerbaijan  0–3  Haiti Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
21:45 UTC+4 Report
  • Pierrot 9', 63'
  • Jean Jacques 83'
Stadium: Sumgayit City Stadium
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Kadir Sağlam (Turkey)
Azerbaijan  v  Belarus
25 March 2025 Friendly Azerbaijan  0–2  Belarus Masazır, Azerbaijan
21:45 UTC+4 Report
  • Zabelin 59'
  • Demchenko 78'
Stadium: Bank Respublika Arena
Attendance: 2,452
Referee: Aleko Aptsiauri (Georgia)
Latvia  v  Azerbaijan
7 June 2025 Friendly Latvia  0–0  Azerbaijan Riga, Latvia
16:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Skonto Stadium
Attendance: 4,594
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)
Azerbaijan  v  Hungary
10 June 2025 Friendly Azerbaijan  1–2  Hungary Baku, Azerbaijan
20:00 UTC+4
  • Dadashov 7'
Report
  • Varga 5'
  • Szoboszlai 33'
Stadium: Dalga Arena
Attendance: 2 830
Referee: Viktor Shimusik (Belarus)
Iceland  v  Azerbaijan
5 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Iceland  5–0  Azerbaijan Reykjavík, Iceland
18:45 UTC+0
  • Pálsson 45+2'
  • Jóhannesson 47', 56'
  • Guðmundsson 66'
  • Hüseynov 73' (o.g.)
Report Stadium: Laugardalsvöllur
Attendance: 4,021
Referee: Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands)
Azerbaijan  v  Ukraine
9 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Azerbaijan  1–1  Ukraine Baku, Azerbaijan
20:00 UTC+4
  • Mahmudov 72' (pen.)
Report
  • Sudakov 51'
Stadium: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
Attendance: 8,450
Referee: Vassilis Fotias (Greece)
France  v  Azerbaijan
10 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification France  3–0  Azerbaijan Paris, France
20:45 UTC+2
  • Mbappé 45+2'
  • Rabiot 69'
  • Thauvin 84'
Report Stadium: Parc des Princes
Attendance: 40,150
Referee: Rohit Saggi (Norway)
Ukraine  v  Azerbaijan
13 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Ukraine  2–1  Azerbaijan Kraków, Poland
20:45 UTC+2
  • Hutsulyak 30'
  • Malinovskyi 64'
Report
  • Mykolenko 45+3' (o.g.)
Stadium: Cracovia Stadium
Attendance: 6,995
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
Azerbaijan  v  Iceland
13 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Azerbaijan  0–2  Iceland Baku, Azerbaijan
21:00 UTC+4 Report
  • Guðmundsson 20'
  • Ingason 39'
Stadium: Neftçi Arena
Attendance: 4,300
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro)
Azerbaijan  v  France
16 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Azerbaijan  1–3  France Baku, Azerbaijan
21:00 UTC+4
  • Dadaşov 4'
Report
  • Mateta 17'
  • Akliouche 30'
  • Magomedaliyev 45' (o.g.)
Stadium: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium
Attendance: 29,700
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

2026

Azerbaijan  v TBA
March 2026 2026 FIFA Series Azerbaijan  v TBA Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan  v TBA
March 2026 2026 FIFA Series Azerbaijan  v TBA Azerbaijan

Coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Aykhan Abbasov
Assistant coach Bruno Pereira
Paulinho
Ricardo Santos
Rashad Eyyubov
Goalkeeper coach Kamran Agayev
Fernando Justino
Fitness coach Filipe Silvério

Coaching history

As of 16 November 2025

Players

Current squad

  • The following players have been called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Iceland and France, on 13 and 16 November 2025.
  • Caps and goals correct as of 16 November 2025, after the match against France.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev (1994-06-12) 12 June 1994 (age 31) 35 0 Qarabağ
12 1GK Aydın Bayramov (1996-02-18) 18 February 1996 (age 29) 2 0 Zira
23 1GK Səlahət Ağayev (1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 34) 21 0 Qabala
1GK Rza Jafarov (2003-07-03) 3 July 2003 (age 22) 6 0 Neftçi

2 2DF Rahman Dashdamirov (1999-10-20) 20 October 1999 (age 26) 7 0 Sabah
3 2DF Rufat Abbasov (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Şamaxı
4 2DF Behlul Mustafazade (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 28) 43 1 Qarabağ
5 2DF Anton Kryvotsyuk (1998-08-20) 20 August 1998 (age 27) 45 1 Daejeon Hana Citizen
13 2DF Abbas Hüseynov (1995-06-13) 13 June 1995 (age 30) 34 0 Qarabağ
14 2DF Elvin Badalov (1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 30) 16 0 Neftçi
15 2DF Badavi Guseynov (1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 (age 34) 78 1 Qarabağ
18 2DF Cəlal Hüseynov (2003-01-02) 2 January 2003 (age 22) 8 0 Arda Kardzhali
21 2DF Qismət Alıyev (1996-10-24) 24 October 1996 (age 29) 18 0 Zira

6 3MF Sabuhi Abdullazade (2001-12-18) 18 December 2001 (age 23) 7 0 Sumgayit
7 3MF Anatoliy Nuriyev (1996-05-20) 20 May 1996 (age 29) 19 1 Sabah
8 3MF Emin Mahmudov (1992-04-27) 27 April 1992 (age 33) 57 15 Neftçi
11 3MF Khayal Aliyev (2004-02-18) 18 February 2004 (age 21) 6 0 Sabah
16 3MF Ceyhun Nuriyev (2001-12-18) 18 December 2001 (age 23) 13 0 Zira
17 3MF Rufat Abdullazade (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 (age 24) 1 0 Varaždin
19 3MF Mustafa Ahmadzada (2003-08-12) 12 August 2003 (age 22) 1 0 Araz-Naxçıvan
20 3MF Abdulakh Khaybulayev (2001-08-19) 19 August 2001 (age 24) 5 0 Sabah

9 4FW Renat Dadashov (1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 26) 41 6 Motor Lublin
10 4FW Nariman Akhundzade (2004-04-23) 23 April 2004 (age 21) 13 0 Qarabağ
4FW Rustam Akhmedzade (2000-12-25) 25 December 2000 (age 24) 14 0 Sumgayit

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 Alirza Müshtabazada (2001-12-05) 5 December 2001 (age 24) 0 0 Shafa Baku v.  Belarus, 25 March 2025

DF Elvin Cafarguliyev (2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 25) 33 1 Qarabağ v.  Iceland, 13 November 2025 INJ
DF Murad Khachayev (1998-04-14) 14 April 1998 (age 27) 3 0 Neftçi v.  Ukraine, 13 October 2025
DF Faiq Hacıyev (1999-05-22) 22 May 1999 (age 26) 0 0 Turan Tovuz v.  Ukraine, 13 October 2025
DF Rahil Mammadov (1995-11-24) 24 November 1995 (age 30) 24 0 Araz-Naxçıvan v.  France, 10 October 2025 INJ
DF Zamig Aliyev (2001-05-05) 5 May 2001 (age 24) 2 0 Egnatia v.  Hungary, 10 June 2025
DF Mert Çelik (2000-06-10) 10 June 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Sivasspor v.  Hungary, 10 June 2025
DF Amin Seydiyev (1998-11-15) 15 November 1998 (age 27) 13 0 Sabah v.  Belarus, 25 March 2025

MF Toral Bayramov (2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 24) 38 4 Qarabağ v.  Iceland, 13 November 2025 INJ
MF Ismayil Ibrahimli (1998-02-13) 13 February 1998 (age 27) 11 0 Zira v.  Ukraine, 13 October 2025
MF Ozan Kökçü (1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 27) 14 0 Volendam v.  Ukraine, 9 September 2025
MF Shahin Shahniyarov (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Qabala v.  Ukraine, 9 September 2025
MF Rauf Rustamli (1998-02-13) 13 February 1998 (age 27) 0 0 Sumgayit v.  Hungary, 10 June 2025
MF Coşqun Diniyev (1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 30) 30 0 Araz-Naxçıvan v.  Belarus, 25 March 2025
MF Aleksey Isayev (1995-11-09) 9 November 1995 (age 30) 29 1 Sabah v.  Belarus, 25 March 2025
MF Elvin Camalov (1995-02-04) 4 February 1995 (age 30) 21 0 Neftçi v.  Belarus, 25 March 2025

FW Mahir Emreli (1997-07-01) 1 July 1997 (age 28) 59 6 1. FC Kaiserslautern v.  Ukraine, 13 October 2025
FW Musa Qurbanlı (2002-04-13) 13 April 2002 (age 23) 21 3 Qarabağ v.  Ukraine, 13 October 2025
FW Agadadash Salyanskiy (2004-06-19) 19 June 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Neftçi v.  Belarus, 25 March 2025

Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury

Player statistics

As of 22 March 2025
Players in bold are still active with Azerbaijan.

Most appearances

Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Rashad Sadygov 111 5 2001–2017
2 Maksim Medvedev 81 4 2009–2024
3 Aslan Kerimov 80 1 1994–2007
4 Kamran Agayev 79 0 2008–2018
5 Badavi Guseynov 78 1 2012–present
6 Gara Garayev 77 0 2013–2022
7 Mahir Shukurov 76 4 2004–2014
8 Tarlan Ahmadov 75 0 1992–2005
Mahmud Qurbanov 75 1 1992–2008
10 Ramil Sheydayev 69 10 2016–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Average Career
1 Emin Mahmudov 15 57 0.26 2016–present
2 Gurban Gurbanov 14 68 0.21 1992–2005
3 Ramil Sheydayev 10 69 0.14 2016–present
4 Vagif Javadov 9 58 0.16 2006–2014
5 Elvin Mammadov 7 39 0.19 2008–2017
Branimir Subašić 7 40 0.18 2007–2013
Dimitrij Nazarov 7 46 0.15 2014–2022
Rauf Aliyev 7 47 0.15 2010–2018
9 Zaur Tagizade 6 40 0.15 1997–2008
Renat Dadashov 6 41 0.15 2017–present
Mahir Emreli 6 59 0.1 2017–present

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
1930 to 1990 Part of  Soviet Union Part of  Soviet Union
1994 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1998 Did not qualify 8 1 0 7 3 22 5/5
2002 10 1 2 7 4 17 6/6
2006 10 0 3 7 1 21 6/6
2010 10 1 2 7 4 14 5/6
2014 10 1 6 3 7 11 4/6
2018 10 3 1 6 10 19 5/6
2022 8 0 1 7 5 18 5/5
2026 6 0 1 5 3 16 4/4
2030 To be determined To be determined
2034
Total 0/8 72 7 16 49 37 138

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA Position
1960 to 1988 Part of  Soviet Union Part of  Soviet Union
1992 Part of  CIS Part of  CIS
1996 Did not qualify 10 0 1 9 2 29 6/6
2000 10 1 1 8 6 26 5/6
2004 8 1 1 6 5 20 5/5
2008 12 1 2 9 6 28 8/8
2012 10 2 1 7 10 26 5/6
2016 10 1 3 6 7 18 5/6
2020 8 0 1 7 5 18 5/5
2024 8 2 1 5 7 17 4/5
2028 To be determined To be determined
2032
Total 0/8 76 8 11 57 48 182

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 D 3 Group stage 2nd 6 2 3 1 7 6 46th
2020–21 C 1 Group stage 3rd 6 1 3 2 2 4 43rd
2022–23 C 3 Group stage 2nd 6 3 1 2 7 4 38th
2024–25 C 1 Group stage 4th 6 0 1 5 3 17 47th
Total Group stage (C) 4/4 24 6 8 10 19 31 38th

Honours

Friendly

  • Trans-Caucasian Championship
    • Champions (2): 1926, 1927
  • ECO Cup
    • Third place (1): 1993
  • UAE International Cup
    • Third place (1): 2009

See also

  • Azerbaijan national under-23 football team
  • Azerbaijan national under-21 football team
  • Azerbaijan national under-20 football team
  • Azerbaijan national under-19 football team
  • Azerbaijan national under-18 football team
  • Azerbaijan national under-17 football team
  • Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan
  • Azerbaijan Premier League

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