Football in Armenia

Football in Armenia is the country's most popular sport. Armenia is currently ranked 45th in FIFA World Rankings and has had much success since its independence. Since gaining independence in 1991, Armenia has had its own national association that takes part in all FIFA competitions (Senior, Youth and Women's Football). Ararat Yerevan were one of the leading teams in the top league in the Soviet Union, often playing in European club competitions. A number of Armenian players played for the USSR national team, including Khoren Oganesian at the 1982 FIFA World Cup and Eduard Markarov in the 1960s. Markarov later became assistant coach of the Soviet Unions youth team, and was part of the coaching staff at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Portugal in 1991, when the team finished third.

National teams

The Armenia national football team is the national football team of Armenia and is controlled by the Football Federation of Armenia. After the split of the Soviet Union, the team played its first international match against Moldova on October 12, 1992.

A women's team, an under-21 team, an under-19 team, and an under-17 team also compete.

Armenia had its best run in any national competition during the UEFA Euro 2012 competition with the arrival of Yura Movsisyan, a prolific striker who played in the MLS, Danish Superliga, and the Russian Premier League.