Remembering Armenia’s Historic FIFA Ranking: A Look Back at the Golden Generation of 2014
In February 2014, Armenia celebrated a landmark achievement as its national football team soared to its highest FIFA ranking ever, reaching No. 30 in the world following a remarkable qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup.
The 2013 World Cup qualifying campaign was a defining moment in Armenian football history, yielding impressive results that showcased the team’s potential on the international stage. Notable victories included a dominant 4–0 triumph over Denmark, a hard-fought 2–1 win against Czechia, another 2–1 victory over Bulgaria, and a remarkable 2–2 draw against Italy in their home turf.
Fast forward to over a decade later, and many key players from that golden generation remain active in the sport. Henrikh Mkhitaryan continues to compete at the highest level, currently playing for Inter Milan in Italy’s Serie A. Other notable figures such as Kamo Hovhannisyan and Hrayr Mkoyan are still making their mark in Armenia’s domestic leagues.
Meanwhile, former players like Roman Berezovskiy, Robert Arzumanyan, and Artur Yedigaryan have transitioned into coaching and management roles, contributing to the development of the sport within the country. This reflection on Armenia’s historic FIFA ranking not only highlights past achievements but also sets the stage for the future of Armenian football.