Idman.biz
The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) has published an article on its website dedicated to Azerbaijani football.
Idman.Biz refers to the article and brings it to your attention.
"Two years ago, Azerbaijan was one of the five host countries of the "FIFA Series" pilot tournament. A 1-0 victory over Mongolia and a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria made this experience successful. This was clearly confirmed by the decision to hold the tournament again in 2026. But this time it was not just a success, but a real victory."
"The 2024 FIFA Series was an important milestone for our country. Such events provide valuable experience for us, the players, and Azerbaijani football as a whole."
"I have only pleasant memories of those matches in 2024. Playing at home, in front of our fans, is always a special feeling. I was very pleased to participate in the 2026 tournament, and we approached this tournament with real attention and determination. As with every match, our goal was to represent the national team with dignity. I believe we achieved that," explains Elvin Jafarguliyev, the experienced left-back of the Azerbaijani national team, who has played 33 games and scored one goal.
It is difficult to disagree with this talented defender. Victories over Saint Lucia (6:1) and Sierra Leone in a penalty shootout (after a 1:1 draw) gave Azerbaijan confidence and valuable experience in games against CONCACAF and CAF teams, respectively - opponents they rarely faced in the past.
But that's not all. The team also won the cup, enjoyed strong support from numerous home fans, and as an added bonus, climbed three places in the FIFA world rankings (124th, +3).
Although these successes are immediately reflected in the rankings, they are actually the result of months of hard work. Significant efforts have been made to develop football in Azerbaijan, and the results are visible not only in the national team but also at the club level. For example, Qarabag, the club where Jafarguliyev plays, recently became the first Azerbaijani team to reach the playoff stage of the UEFA Champions League.
The Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) played a key role in this positive development. FIFA has also supported major projects through the "FIFA Forward" program, including the introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology in national football and the construction of the "Turan Tovuz" Football Academy.
"We feel that positive changes are taking place in Azerbaijan, and we are making real progress. Both the VAR system and the new academies have helped to raise Azerbaijani football to a more professional level. This is important not only for current players but also for future generations," adds Elvin Jafarguliyev.
The country is clearly looking to the future. A clear symbol of these ambitions is co-hosting the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Uzbekistan.
"The 2027 U-20 World Cup will be a big event. This is a great opportunity for the country and an additional source of motivation for this generation. Such tournaments significantly boost the development of football.
Such competitions can become important milestones on the road to qualifying for the World Cup, which remains our main goal. Gaining international experience is important for future success, both for future players and for ourselves," says Jafarguliyev.
Experience, self-confidence, and determination... Azerbaijan is clearly moving in the right direction," the article states.
