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Georgia national football team

Men's association football team


Men's association football team

FieldValue
NameGeorgia
BadgeGeorgia national football team crest.svg
Badge_size190px
Nicknameჯვაროსნები
Jvarosnebi (The Crusaders)
AssociationGeorgian Football Federation (GFF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
CoachWilly Sagnol
CaptainGuram Kashia
Most capsGuram Kashia (128)
Top scorerShota Arveladze (26)
Home StadiumBoris Paichadze Dinamo Arena (main)
Adjarabet Arena (second)
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium & Ramaz Shengelia Stadium (third)
FIFA TrigrammeGEO
FIFA Rank
FIFA max42
FIFA max dateSeptember 1998
FIFA min156
FIFA min dateMarch 1994
Elo Rank
Elo max49
Elo max date11 October 1995
Elo min108
Elo min datelate 2009
pattern_la1_geo25h
pattern_b1_geo25h
pattern_ra1_geo25h
pattern_sh1_geo25h
pattern_so1_geo25hl
leftarm1FFFFFF
body1FFFFFF
rightarm1FFFFFF
shorts1FFFFFF
socks1FFFFFF
pattern_la2_geo25a
pattern_b2_geo25a
pattern_ra2_geo25a
pattern_sh2_geo25a
pattern_so2_geo25al
leftarm2000000
body2000000
rightarm2000000
shorts2000000
socks2000000
pattern_la3_geo22a
pattern_b3_geo22a
pattern_ra3_geo22a
pattern_sh3_geo22a
pattern_so3_redtop
leftarm3FF0000
body3FF0000
rightarm3FF0000
shorts3000000
socks3000000
First gameUnofficial
Georgian SSR Georgian SSR 2–4 Azerbaijan SSR Flag of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (1924–1927).svg
(Tbilisi, Georgian SSR; December 1926)
Official
1–0
(Kaunas, Lithuania; 2 September 1992)
Largest win8–0
(Tbilisi, Georgia; 12 October 2023)
Largest loss1–7
(Tbilisi, Georgia; 8 September 2023)
Regional nameEuropean Championship
Regional cup apps1
Regional cup first2024
Regional cup bestRound of 16 (2024)
website
Note

the men's team

Jvarosnebi (The Crusaders) Adjarabet Arena (second) Mikheil Meskhi Stadium & Ramaz Shengelia Stadium (third) Georgian SSR Georgian SSR 2–4 Azerbaijan SSR Flag of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (1924–1927).svg (Tbilisi, Georgian SSR; December 1926) Official 1–0 (Kaunas, Lithuania; 2 September 1992) (Tbilisi, Georgia; 12 October 2023) (Tbilisi, Georgia; 8 September 2023)

The Georgia national football team (საქართველოს ეროვნული საფეხბურთო ნაკრები) represents Georgia in men's international football matches, and is controlled by the Georgian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Georgia. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions.

The Georgian team's first match took place on 27 May 1990 against Lithuania, while Georgia was still part of the Soviet Union. The team have attempted to qualify for each major tournament from Euro 1996 onwards. Their efforts culminated in their first successful qualification for a major tournament, the UEFA Euro 2024, secured with a win against Greece in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-off final.

The team is colloquially referred to as Jvarosnebi (The Crusaders) and has adopted Saint George as their symbol, which is a patron of Georgia.

Upon its admission into FIFA ranked 156th, Georgia ascended to their peak World Ranking of 42nd in 1998. The team plays their home games at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi.

History

20th century

Football was introduced to Georgia by English sailors in early 20th century. British ships that docked at the harbors of Poti and Batumi frequently hosted football matches among their crew, attracting the attention of Lelo burti players, who quickly embraced and adapted the sport. While the exact date of the first football match in Georgia remains uncertain, football was first mentioned in the Georgian press in 1890.

From 1923 to 1990, Georgian football players were part of the USSR national team, with two of them, Murtaz Khurtsilava and Aleksandre Chivadze, serving as captains at different times. During the early Soviet era, Georgia competed in the Trans-Caucasian Championship, hosting the 1926 edition. Georgia's first game came against Azerbaijan in Tbilisi, losing 4–2 in Tbilisi. The Georgian SSR's first win came in their second game, beating Armenia 7–0. Georgia would later host the 1927 and 1928 editions of the Trans-Caucasian Championship, winning the latter edition after a 5–1 and 6–0 win over Armenia and Azerbaijan respectively. After a six year hiatus, Georgia played in the 1934 competition in Azerbaijan, before once against hosting the 1935 Trans-Caucasian Championship, winning it once again.

During this period, the USSR national team included players from various Soviet republics, including Georgian SSR. Georgian players made significant contributions to the team, with several becoming key figures and achieving notable success, such as Slava Metreveli scoring in the 1960 European Nations' Cup final. One of the most famous Georgian footballers who played for the USSR national team was Murtaz Khurtsilava, who captained the team and played a crucial role in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, where the USSR finished in fourth place. Another prominent player was Vitaly Daraselia, known for his performances in the 1980s, along with David Kipiani, Ramaz Shengelia and Vladimir Gutsaev.

Following Soviet rule in Georgia, the contemporary history of the Georgia national football team began in 1990, when the team played their first international match against Lithuania, the first country to accept an invitation. The match was held on 27 May 1990 at the national stadium. Georgia were coached by Givi Nodia. The friendly match ended in a 2–2 draw. This was the only match prior to the declaration of independence on 9 April 1991. Soon afterwards the team played another friendly match against Moldova.

The Georgian Football Federation became a member of both UEFA and FIFA in 1992, enabling Georgia to play competitive matches. The first of these came in September 1994, a 1–0 defeat to Moldova as part of the qualifiers for Euro 1996. Georgia finished third in their group, ahead of Moldova, Wales and Albania, but seven points behind second-placed qualifier Bulgaria.

Georgia failed to qualify for the 1998 World Cup in France, obtaining 10 points and finishing in fourth place, level on points with Poland. At this time Georgia reached 42nd place in the FIFA World Ranking.

21st century

During UEFA Euro 2000 qualifying the Georgia national team won one match, drew two and finished at the bottom of the group with five points.

The team finished fifth (and last) with seven points in their qualifying group for Euro 2004, although they defeated Russia with a goal scored by Malkhaz Asatiani.

In the 2006 World Cup qualifiers Georgia beat Albania 2–0 at home and Kazakhstan away 2–1. They finished sixth of seven with ten points in Group 2.

Georgia were sixth out of seven teams in the Euro 2008 qualifying group with ten points. They defeated Scotland 2–0 at home and the Faroe Islands 6–0 away and 3–1 at home.

Héctor Cúper became the manager of Georgia in August 2008. During the qualification round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Georgia failed to win any matches and finished sixth (and last) with three points. Cuper didn't extend his contract, and on 6 November 2009, Temur Ketsbaia was appointed as the new manager of the Georgian national team. Ketsbaia resigned as manager after a 4–0 defeat at home to Poland in the Euro 2016 qualifiers on 14 November 2014, having previously stated he would do so before the match regardless of the result.

In June 2016, Georgia beat the two-time reigning European champions Spain 1–0 in their final pre-Euro 2016 friendly.

In 2018, they were the first team to earn promotion in the new UEFA Nations League. They scored the event's first goal in a UEFA Nations League D game in Kazakhstan before beating Latvia twice and Andorra, with two games still to spare and earned their first-ever playoff berth. In the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, Georgia had a disappointing run, with their only two wins came over Gibraltar. In the Path D playoff semi-final, Georgia managed to beat Belarus 1–0 and thus the hope to qualify for UEFA Euro 2020 increased, but it went in vain after the Georgians suffered a heartbreaking home defeat to North Macedonia in the decisive match and thus missed the opportunity to make a historic debut in a major competition.Georgia showed improvements with a strong 2–0 win over Sweden at the 2022 World Cup qualification on 11 November 2021. They continued their improvement by winning the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League C Group 4, getting promoted to 2024-25 UEFA Nations League B, and qualified for their second-ever play-off berth. Georgia won 2–0 against Luxembourg, earning them a spot in the final of the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs. They defeated Greece 4–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the playoff final, which guaranteed Georgia's qualification for their first ever international tournament at Euro 2024.

During Euro 2024, Georgia were placed in Group F; they subsequently lost 3–1 in the match against Turkey, where Georges Mikautadze scored the first-ever goal in Georgia's history in the Euros, and drew 1–1 against the Czech Republic. Their 2–0 victory against Portugal was considered one of the biggest upsets in European Championship history, and was enough to propel Georgia to the round of 16 in their first international tournament appearance. Georgia subsequently played eventual Champions Spain in the Round of 16, and lost by a score of 4–1. Georges Mikautadze finished the Euro 2024 campaign as the joint-UEFA European Football Championship Top Goalscorer.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Georgia national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2025

  • Kochorashvili
  • Mikautadze
  • Haroyan
  • Mikautadze
  • Chakvetadze
  • Kiteishvili
  • Kvaratskhelia
  • Sevikyan
  • Lochoshvili
  • Lobzhanidze
  • Mendes
  • Davitashvili
  • Kvaratskhelia
  • Müldür
  • Aktürkoğlu
  • Kvaratskhelia
  • N. Gagnidze
  • Mikautadze
  • Pino
  • Oyarzabal
  • Yıldız
  • Demiral
  • Akgün
  • Kochorashvili
  • Oyarzabal
  • Zubimendi
  • Torres
  • Rusev
  • Krastev
  • Lochoshvili

2026

Coaching staff

1990

|

1991–1992

|

1993–1996

|

1996

|

1997

|

1998

|

1998

|

1999

|

2000–2001

|

2001–2003

|

2003

|

2003

|

2004

|

2004–2005

|

2005

|

2006–2008

|

2008

|

2008–2009

|

2010–2014

|

2014–2016

|

2016–2020

|

2020

| |2021– |}

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification fixtures against Spain and Bulgaria on 15 and 18 November 2025, respectively.{{cite web | url=https://nakrebi.ge/ka/news/10388-sakartvelos-nakrebis-shemadgenloba-noembris | title=საქართველოს ნაკრების შემადგენლობა ნოემბრის მატჩებისთვის

On November 8, injured Otar Kakabadze and Georges Mikautadze were replaced by Shota Nonikashvili and Giorgi Kvilitaia.

On November 13, Gabriel Sigua and Nika Gagnidze withdrew from the squad due to injuries.

On November 15, after the match against Spain, Ilia Beriashvili was added to the squad, replacing injured Saba Goglichidze.

Caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2025, after the match against Bulgaria.

Recent call-ups

The following players have not been called up for the upcoming matches but have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to injury
  • RET Player retired from the national team

Individual records

1992–2007
!2
21
41

|

2021–present
!3
20
47

|

2019–present
!4
17
52

|

1990–2003
!5
15
67

|

1996–2011
! rowspan="2"
13
50

|

2010–2021
13
62

|

2014–2022
! rowspan="2"
12
56

|

1996–2007
12
100

|

1996–2011
!rowspan="2"
10
37

|

2018–present
10
101

|

2004–2024
}

Most assists

RankPlayerAssistsCapsRatioCareer123679
Gocha Jamarauli12621994–2004
Giorgi Chakvetadze10372018–present
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia9472019–present
Otar Kiteishvili9512017–present
Levan Kobiashvili91001996–2011
Giorgi Demetradze8551996–2007
Otar Kakabadze7772015–present
Nika Kvekveskiri7622015–2025
Saba Lobzhanidze6412017–present
Jano Ananidze6452009–2019
Shota Arveladze6621992–2007

Most clean sheets

RankPlayerClean sheetsCapsAverageCareer1234567810
Giorgi Loria29792008–2025
Nukri Revishvili12322005–2016
Giorgi Lomaia11471998–2010
Giorgi Mamardashvili10352021–present
Davit Gvaramadze9281998–2004
Akaki Devadze6201992–2005
Irakli Zoidze5191994–2001
Nikoloz Togonidze4111996–1999
Giorgi Makaridze4172007–2020
Grigol Chanturia261999–2006
Roin Kvaskhvadze282012–2018

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordFIFA World Cup qualification recordYearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGAPositionTotal0/87012174164116
Uruguay 1930 to Italy 1990Part of the Part of the
United States 1994FIFA member from 1992. Not admitted to the tournament.Not admitted to the tournament
France 1998Did not qualify8314794/5
South Korea Japan 2002831412123/5
Germany 20061224614256/7
South Africa 2010100377196/6
Brazil 201481253104/5
Russia 2018100558145/6
Qatar 202282156124/5
Canada Mexico United States 202661057153/4
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030To be determinedTo be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034

UEFA European Championship

Main article: Georgia at the UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship recordUEFA European Championship qualifying recordYearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGASquadPldWDLGFGAPositionTotalRound of 161/84112588022134585119
France 1960 to Sweden 1992Part of the Part of the
England 1996Did not qualify1050514133/6
Belgium Netherlands 2000101278186/6
Portugal 200482158145/5
Austria Switzerland 20081231816196/7
Poland Ukraine 201210244795/6
France 20161030710165/6
Europe 2020103258124/5 (PO runners-up)
Germany 2024Round of 1615th411258Squad1033414184/5 (PO winners)
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028To be determinedTo be determined
Italy Turkey 2032

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League recordSeasonLeagueGroupPosPldWDLGFGAP/RRKTotal261574501826th
2018–19D11st651012240th
2020–21C23rd61416642nd
2022–23C41st651016333rd
2024–25B13rd62137626th

Statistics

The following tables show Georgia‘s all-time international record, correct as of 18 November 2025.

TournamentPlayWinDrawLostGoals forGoals Against
World Cup Qualifying7012174164118
Euro Qualifying8022134585119
European Championship411258
UEFA Nations League2413744117
Friendly126502551179170
OpponentsPlayWinDrawLostGoals forGoals Against73 National Teams {{cite web
169442414
211041
9522239
201123
622186
421144
110010
113261725
101000
101011
310234
8413128
311164
5023515
101000
200204
842297
3300101
201112
401317
5005212
6600193
10037617
210145
100113
100112
11029518
612347
8017214
210133
632174
210122
105231810
200247
110020
8413136
531172
9621125
100103
124441714
110061
311143
100103
100113
100115
100114
522173
501439
100101
5104413
210122
110021
8125620
311134
110030
110020
621367
200214
210133
411245
110041
101022
111010533
210121
401317
110080
211031
91171026
11047718
100101
110020
211032
531193
url = https://www.11v11.com/teams/georgia/tab/stats/title = Georgia's overall record against each of their opponentspublisher = AFSaccess-date = 9 January 2022archive-date = 9 January 2022archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220109111959/https://www.11v11.com/teams/georgia/tab/stats/url-status = live

Honours

Friendly

  • Trans-Caucasian Championship
    • Champions (3): 1928, 1934, 1935
  • Malta International Football Tournament
    • Champions (1): 1998

Notes

References

References

  1. "სპორტის სახეობის აღწერა".
  2. Erik, Scott. "Soccer Artistry and the Secret Police: Georgian Football in the Multiethnic Soviet Empire".
  3. "Georgia matches, ratings and points exchanged". ELO Ratings.
  4. "Trans-Caucasian Championship". International Football.
  5. "History: USSR 2-1 Yugoslavia".
  6. Khashig, Inal. (February 10, 2017). "15 soccer players that the Caucasus is proud of".
  7. "Georgian Football Federation". UEFA.
  8. "Georgia – International Results". RSSSF.
  9. Wilson, Jonathan. (2009-02-10). "Strict Cuper remains serious about beleaguered Georgia's hopes". The Guardian.
  10. "European Qualifiers: Temuri Ketsbaia quits as coach of Georgia".
  11. (2014-11-15). "Temuri Ketsbaia quits as Georgia manager".
  12. (7 June 2016). "Spain fall to Georgia in final friendly ahead of Euro 2016". [[ESPN FC]].
  13. "Nations League round-up: Ukraine, Georgia promoted as Gibraltar win again".
  14. UEFA.com. (2018-10-16). "Highlights: France beat Germany, Ukraine and Georgia celebrate {{!}} UEFA Nations League".
  15. (2020-10-08). "Georgia beats Belarus, advances to Euro 2020 playoff finals".
  16. (2020-11-12). "Veteran Goran Pandev sends North Macedonia to Euro 2020".
  17. (March 30, 2023). "Euro 2020: Playoff heartbreak for Georgia".
  18. "Sweden shocker in Georgia opens door for Spain".
  19. "Georgia 2–0 Sweden (Nov 11, 2021) Game Analysis".
  20. (2021-11-11). "World Cup 2022 qualifying: Sweden's Qatar hopes rocked by defeat in Georgia after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia brace".
  21. "Georgian national football team promoted to UEFA Nations League division B after beating North Macedonia".
  22. (2022-09-25). "Georgian national football team promoted to UEFA Nations League division B".
  23. (September 24, 2022). "Georgian national football team promoted to UEFA Nations League division B after beating North Macedonia".
  24. "Georgia will play with Greece in the final of the European Football Championship playoffs". News Hub.
  25. (March 21, 2024). "Georgia one step closer to Euro 2024 after 2–0 win over 10-man Luxembourg".
  26. (2024-03-27). "Georgia defeated Greece in a penalty shootout and will play at the European Championship for the first time in history".
  27. "Making history: Georgia's national football team will play at Euro 2024, after defeating Greece in playoff final {{!}} AGENDA.GE".
  28. (2024-03-26). "Georgia and star Kvaratskhelia head to Euro 2024 after beating Greece in penalty shootout".
  29. (2024-03-26). "Georgia qualify for first European Championships after penalty shootout win over Greece".
  30. "Georgia create history by reaching Euro 2024". BBC Sport.
  31. (March 26, 2024). "Georgia reach Euro 2024 with Greece shootout win to make history".
  32. "Georgia 2-0 Portugal (Jun 26, 2024) Game Analysis".
  33. "Spain beats Georgia 4-1 to reach Euro 2024 quarterfinals. It next plays host Germany".
  34. "ეროვნული ნაკრები".
  35. "Მწვრთნელები".
  36. "Georgia national team managers".
  37. "Georgia – Record International Players".
  38. link. (14 August 2020 . Kopanyi myach.)
  39. {{usurped
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