Armenia's National Team Shuffles the Deck

After a prolonged break, the Armenian national football team has claimed victory! In the qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup, our team showcased a quality performance, securing a 2-1 win over Ireland. This victory allows coach Yeghishe Melikyan's squad to settle in second place in their qualifying group with 3 points, currently holding a 2-point lead over Hungary and Ireland, who are in third and fourth places, respectively.

The group favorites, Portugal, defeated the Hungarians 3-2 in Budapest yesterday, toppling the standings with 6 points. It’s important to note that the teams finishing first in the qualifying groups will automatically earn a spot in the World Cup finals, while those in second place will continue in the playoffs.

By defeating Ireland, Armenia shuffled the cards, indicating its intention to compete for the second qualifying spot. Following a significant loss to Portugal on September 6, some were quick to dismiss our national team, but now fans are discussing various calculations to maintain the second position.

By winning against a team like Ireland, our players have demonstrated that holding second place is possible, and why not fight to keep this position?