Azerbaijan national football team

Azerbaijan

Nickname(s)	Milli komanda (The National Team)
Association	Azərbaycan Futbol Federasiyaları Assosiasiyası (AFFA)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Arif Asadov (caretaker)
Captain	Emin Mahmudov
Most caps	Rashad Sadygov (111)
Top scorer	Gurban Gurbanov (14)
Home stadium	Baku Olympic Stadium
FIFA code	AZE
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	112 1 (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest	73 (July 2014)
Lowest	170 (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 (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.

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

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

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

2024

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Interim head coach	Arif Asadov

Coaching staff

As of 1 November 2023^[33]

Manager	Azerbaijan career	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win %
Ahmad Alaskarov	17 September 1992	1	0	0	1	000.00
Alakbar Mammadov	25 May 1993 – 8 June 1993	4	3	1	0	075.00
Kazbek Tuayev (caretaker) Agaselim Mirjavadov (caretaker)	19 April 1994	1	0	0	1	000.00
Agaselim Mirjavadov	2 September 1994 – 6 September 1995	9	0	0	9	000.00
Kazbek Tuayev	11 October 1995 – 10 November 1996	11	3	3	5	027.27
Vagif Sadygov	1 March 1997 – 28 November 1998	20	6	3	11	030.00
Ahmad Alaskarov	6 March 1999 – 9 October 1999	9	1	2	6	011.11
Asgar Abdullayev (caretaker)	6 February 2000 – 4 June 2000	4	0	2	2	000.00
Igor Ponomaryov	26 July 2000 – 7 October 2001	15	2	2	11	013.33
Kazbek Tuayev (caretaker)	20 February 2002 – 27 March 2002	2	0	0	2	000.00
Vagif Sadygov	17 April 2002 – 12 October 2002	8	1	4	3	012.50
Asgar Abdullayev	20 November 2002 – 20 December 2003	9	1	2	6	011.11
Carlos Alberto Torres	18 February 2004 – 4 June 2005	18	2	6	10	011.11
Vagif Sadygov (caretaker)	17 August 2005 – 12 October 2005	4	0	1	3	000.00
Shahin Diniyev	28 February 2006 – 17 October 2007	20	4	7	9	020.00
Gjoko Hadžievski (caretaker)	17 November 2007 – 3 February 2008	3	0	1	2	000.00
Nazim Suleymanov (caretaker)	26 March 2008	1	0	0	1	000.00
Berti Vogts	1 June 2008 – 13 October 2014	71	15	22	34	021.13
Mahmud Gurbanov (caretaker)	16 November 2014	1	0	0	1	000.00
Robert Prosinečki	3 December 2014 – 5 November 2017	23	6	6	11	026.09
Gurban Gurbanov	30 January 2018 – 20 November 2018	12	4	5	3	033.33
Nikola Jurčević	11 February 2019 – 13 December 2019	10	1	2	7	010.00
Gianni De Biasi	10 July 2020 – 22 November 2023	37	9	8	20	024.32

Players

Current squad

• The following players were called up for the 2024 FIFA Series matches.^[34]
• Match dates: 22 and 25 March 2024
• Opposition:  Mongolia and  Bulgaria

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

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Shakhruddin Magomedaliyev	(1994-06-12) 12 June 1994 (age 29)	26	0	Adana Demirspor
23	1GK	Səlahət Ağayev	(1991-01-04) 4 January 1991 (age 33)	21	0	Sabail
12	1GK	Rza Cafarli	(2003-03-07) 7 March 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Neftçi
17	2DF	Toral Bayramov	(2001-02-23) 23 February 2001 (age 23)	19	1	Qarabağ
3	2DF	Elvin Cafarguliyev	(2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 23)	17	1	Qarabağ
13	2DF	Rahil Mammadov	(1995-11-24) 24 November 1995 (age 28)	16	0	ŁKS Łódź
2	2DF	Amin Seydiyev	(1998-10-15) 15 October 1998 (age 25)	7	0	Sabah
4	2DF	Bəhlul Mustafazadə	(1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 27)	27	0	Qarabağ
5	2DF	Bəxtiyar Həsənalızadə	(1992-12-29) 29 December 1992 (age 31)	4	0	Tuzlaspor
15	2DF	Badavi Guseynov	(1991-07-11) 11 July 1991 (age 32)	67	1	Qarabağ
8	3MF	Emin Mahmudov (captain)	(1992-04-27) 27 April 1992 (age 31)	45	13	Neftçi
7	3MF	Coşqun Diniyev	(1995-09-13) 13 September 1995 (age 28)	20	0	Ümraniyespor
16	3MF	Elvin Camalov	(1995-02-04) 4 February 1995 (age 29)	15	0	Sabah
10	3MF	Ozan Kökçü	(1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 25)	6	0	FC Eindhoven
21	3MF	Qismət Alıyev	(1996-10-24) 24 October 1996 (age 27)	8	0	Zira
	3MF	Sabuhi Abdullazade	(2001-12-18) 18 December 2001 (age 22)	0	0	Sumgayit
14	3MF	Eddy Pascual	(1992-08-02) 2 August 1992 (age 31)	24	0	Neftçi
20	3MF	Vusal Isgandarli	(1995-11-03) 3 November 1995 (age 28)	1	0	Boluspor
19	3MF	Filip Ozobić	(1991-04-08) 8 April 1991 (age 33)	13	1	Neftçi
	3MF	Murad Khachayev	(1998-04-14) 14 April 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Sumgayit
	3MF	Rovlan Muradov	(1998-03-28) 28 March 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Sumgayit
	3MF	Orxan Əliyev	(1995-12-21) 21 December 1995 (age 28)	0	0	Araz Naxçıvan
6	3MF	Emil Mustafayev	(2001-09-24) 24 September 2001 (age 22)	0	0	Polissya Zhytomyr
9	4FW	Renat Dadashov	(1999-05-17) 17 May 1999 (age 24)	28	3	Hatayspor
22	4FW	Musa Qurbanlı	(2002-04-13) 13 April 2002 (age 22)	10	1	Djurgårdens IF
11	4FW	Ramil Sheydayev	(1996-03-15) 15 March 1996 (age 28)	59	10	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.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Yusif İmanov	(2002-03-27) 27 March 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Sabah	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
GK	Rashad Azizli	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30)	0	0	Gabala	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
GK	Emil BalayevINJ	(1994-04-17) 17 April 1994 (age 30)	14	0	Neftçi	v.  Estonia, 17 June 2023
DF	Anton KryvotsyukINJ	(1998-08-20) 20 August 1998 (age 25)	36	1	Daejeon Citizen	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DF	Hojjat Haghverdi	(1993-02-03) 3 February 1993 (age 31)	24	1	Neftçi	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DF	Cəlal Hüseynov	(2003-01-02) 2 January 2003 (age 21)	5	0	Arda Kardzhali	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DF	Turan Manafov	(1998-08-19) 19 August 1998 (age 25)	0	0	Araz Naxçıvan	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
DF	Elvin Badalov	(1995-06-14) 14 June 1995 (age 28)	8	0	Sumgayit	v.  Jordan, 12 September 2023
DF	Yusif Nabiyev	(1997-09-03) 3 September 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Sabail	v.  Austria 16 October 2023
MF	Emil Safarov	(2002-10-30) 30 October 2002 (age 21)	3	0	Gabala	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
MF	Nariman Akhundzade	(2004-04-23) 23 April 2004 (age 19)	1	0	Qarabağ	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
FW	Mahir EmreliINJ	(1997-07-01) 1 July 1997 (age 26)	46	5	Dinamo Zagreb	v.  Belgium, 19 November 2023
FW	Rustam Akhmedzade	(2000-12-25) 25 December 2000 (age 23)	8	0	Zira	v.  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

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Rashad Sadygov	111	5	2001–2017
2	Maksim Medvedev	81	4	2009–present
3	Aslan Kerimov	80	1	1994–2008
4	Kamran Agayev	79	0	2008–2018
5	Gara Garayev	76	0	2013–present
	Mahir Shukurov	76	4	2004–2014
7	Tarlan Ahmadov	74	0	1992–2005
8	Mahmud Qurbanov	71	1	1994–2008
9	Gurban Gurbanov	68	14	1992–2005
10	Badavi Guseynov	66	1	2012–present

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Average	Career
1	Gurban Gurbanov	14	68	0.21	1992–2005
2	Emin Mahmudov	13	44	0.3	2016–present
3	Ramil Sheydayev	10	59	0.17	2016–present
4	Vagif Javadov	9	58	0.16	2006–2014
5	Elvin Mammadov	7	39	0.18	2008–2017
	Branimir Subašić	7	40	0.18	2007–2013
	Rauf Aliyev	7	46	0.15	2010–present
	Dimitrij Nazarov	7	46	0.15	2014–present
9	Zaur Tagizade	6	40	0.15	1997–2008
10	Rufat Dadashov	5	24	0.21	2013–present
	Nazim Suleymanov	5	24	0.21	1992–1998
	Farrukh Ismayilov	5	33	0.15	1997–2008
	Vidadi Rzayev	5	37	0.14	1992–2001
	Afran Ismayilov	5	39	0.13	2010–2018
	Mahir Emreli	5	45	0.11	2017–present
	Rashad Sadygov	5	111	0.05	1992–1998

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	To be determined									To be determined
2030
2034
Total		0/7								66	7	15	44	34	122	—

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	To be determined
Total			Group stage (C)	3/3	18	6	7	5	16	14	38th

Honours

• 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

Notes

References

External links

• Azerbaycan Futbol Federasiyaları Assosiasiyası
• Azerbaijanifootball.com (in Russian)
• Azerbaijan FIFA profile
• Azerbaijan UEFA profile
• Archive of international results 1979–2004 from Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation
• UEFA match report on the first away win
• national-football-teams
• Azerbaijanisport
• Day.az
• Complete List of teams and results