Nineteen years ago, on October 10, 2005, a significant step was taken for Azerbaijani football. President İlham Aliyev approved the State Program for Football Development in Azerbaijan for 2005–2015, outlining ambitious goals for fostering football excellence.
Idman.biz reports that the program emphasized international participation for national teams and the development of professional players who could elevate the country’s image on the global stage.
While the program was a visionary initiative, its implementation fell short, leaving Azerbaijani football at a crossroads.
The Azerbaijan national team’s recent performance in the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 season underscores the gravity of the situation:
• 6 matches: 1 draw, 5 losses
• Goals conceded: 17
• Goals scored: 3
• A humiliating 0-6 defeat against Sweden marked the lowest point.
Despite the program’s focus on developing young talent, the results show a glaring lack of progress. Players born after 2000, who were expected to reap the benefits of the program, have struggled to compete on the international stage. Youth teams (U17, U19) have also failed to secure victories, casting doubt on the future of Azerbaijani football.
Instead of competing with Europe’s elite, Azerbaijan finds itself relegated to League D, facing teams like Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, Malta, and Andorra. This regression highlights systemic issues in football development over the past two decades.
The tandem of Rovnag Abdullayev and Elkhan Mammadov, who led AFFA for nearly 20 years, cannot escape accountability for these failures. Poor planning, ineffective management, and the misallocation of resources have squandered decades of potential progress.
Under the new leadership of Rovshan Najaf, AFFA has yet to implement substantial reforms. After more than seven months, the organization continues to wait for international recommendations, failing to take decisive action. The hiring of high-cost foreign coaches like Fernando Santos has only amplified existing problems. Despite millions invested, the national team continues to decline.
It’s clear that Azerbaijani football requires comprehensive reforms:
Grassroots Development: Invest in youth academies, training facilities, and local coaches.
Infrastructure: Build more accessible football fields and schools.
Accountability: Hold past and present AFFA leadership accountable for mismanagement.
Local Talent: Prioritize nurturing domestic players over costly foreign hires.
Azerbaijani football stands at a critical juncture. If AFFA cannot rise to the challenge, another generation of potential will be lost. It’s time to act, not hope.
Kamal Rza
Idman.biz
