Moldova national football team
 | |||
| Association | Federația Moldovenească de Fotbal (FMF) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Lilian Popescu | ||
| Captain | Vadim Rata | ||
| Most caps | Alexandru Epureanu (91) | ||
| Top scorer | Ion Nicolaescu (18) | ||
| Home stadium | Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău | ||
| FIFA code | MDA | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 159[18.04.2026] https://inside.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men | ||
| Highest | 37 (April 2008) | ||
| Lowest | 175 (June 2018 – August 2018) | ||
| First international | |||
 Moldova 2–4 Georgia .svg.png){kind=small} (Chişinău, Moldova; 2 July 1991) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
Moldova 5–0 Pakistan  (Amman, Jordan; 18 August 1992) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| Norway 11 Vs Moldova 1 https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/video/highlights/029d-1eaf58711c36-1b68fbee6fd5-1000--highlights-norway-11-1-moldova/ | |||
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Moldova national football team is the national football team of Moldova.
References
National Football Team (As of April 2026)
Current Status As of April 2026, the Moldova national football team is ranked 159th in the FIFA World Rankings. The team is currently led by head coach Lilian Popescu, with Vadim Rață serving as the team captain.
Recent Performance The team recently completed its campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In March 2026, Moldova played two international friendly matches:
- March 26: A 0–2 loss against Lithuania.
- March 30: A 2–3 loss against Cyprus (goals scored by Popescu and Stînă).
Upcoming Matches (Nations League 2026–27) Moldova is set to compete in League C, Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League starting in September 2026. The group includes Slovakia, Kazakhstan, and the Faroe Islands. The schedule is as follows:
- Sept 26, 2026: Slovakia vs. Moldova
- Sept 29, 2026: Moldova vs. Faroe Islands
- Oct 02, 2026: Kazakhstan vs. Moldova
Key Players in 2026
- Ion Nicolaescu: The all-time top scorer for Moldova (18 goals).
- Vladislav Baboglo: A key defender playing for Karpaty Lviv.
- Victor Stînă: Midfielder showing good form in recent matches.
Emil Tîmbur: The primary goalkeeper representing Sheriff Tiraspol.
History
Early Years (1991–2000) After Moldova became independent in 1991, the national team played its first official match against Georgia on July 2, 1991. During the 1990s, the team was considered an underdog, but it managed to secure famous victories, such as the 3–2 win against Wales in 1994.
The "Golden Era" and Struggles (2000–2020) The mid-2000s saw Moldova reach its highest FIFA ranking (37th place in 2008). Players like Serghei Cleșcenco and Alexandru Epureanu became national icons. However, the following decade was difficult, as the team struggled to maintain consistency and dropped significantly in international rankings.
The Modern Renaissance (2023–2026) The most exciting chapter in the team's history began in 2023. Under the management of Serghei Cleșcenco, Moldova achieved a "miracle" in Chișinău by defeating Poland 3–2 after trailing 0–2 at halftime. This victory changed the mentality of the team.
As of 2026, the national team is recognized for its defensive discipline and fighting spirit. The emergence of young talents and the record-breaking goals of Ion Nicolaescu have brought fans back to the Zimbru Stadium. The team is currently building on its success in the UEFA Nations League, aiming to qualify for its first major international tournament.