How Armenian Footballers Performed in the Opening Round of the 2026/27 Russian First League

The new 2026/27 Russian First League season began last week. As usual, the competition features a large number of footballers with Armenian connections.

They include former Armenia internationals Khoren Bayramyan and Artem Simonyan, current senior national team players David Davidyan and Tigran Avanesyan, as well as Armenia U21 midfielder David Kirakosyan. However, Avanesyan’s situation remains uncertain. He returned from his loan spell at Orenburg, but Arsenal Tula have not yet registered him for the new season.

Artur Galoyan, Pavel Gorelov and Artem Gyurdzhyan, who have previously received call-ups to the Armenia national team but have yet to establish themselves in the squad, are also continuing their careers in the First League.

The competition also includes players of Armenian descent who have not previously represented Armenia at senior or youth level but could attract the attention of the national team’s coaching staff in the future: Garrik Levin, Migran Ageyan, Valery Tsarukyan and Tigran Arabachyan.

How the Armenian footballers performed in the opening round

Ufa forward Migran Ageyan came on as a substitute in the 61st minute of the match against Leningradets. His team secured a convincing 3–0 victory.

Yenisey defender Artem Gyurdzhyan entered the field in the 66th minute of the game against Volga Ulyanovsk.

Rotor midfielder Artem Simonyan was one of the most productive Armenian players of the round. He played 75 minutes against Pari NN and provided two assists, although the Volgograd side suffered a 4–2 defeat.

Another Rotor player, Pavel Gorelov, came on in the 60th minute. Pari NN midfielder Valery Tsarukyan remained on the bench.

Armenia U21 player David Kirakosyan, who recently joined Spartak Kostroma, was an unused substitute against KAMAZ. His new team won the match 3–1.

Ural midfielder Khoren Bayramyan captained his new team against Torpedo Moscow and spent 70 minutes on the pitch. The Yekaterinburg club suffered a 1–0 defeat.

Tigran Arabachyan remained on Ural’s bench, while Torpedo midfielder Artur Galoyan came on as a substitute in the 59th minute.

Chelyabinsk captain Garrik Levin played the full match against SKA-Khabarovsk. His team claimed a 3–1 victory.

Armenia international David Davidyan entered the field in the 77th minute of Arsenal Tula’s match against Tekstilshchik. The Tula side won 2–1.

Another Armenian Arsenal midfielder, Tigran Avanesyan, was not included in the matchday squad. At present, he has also not been registered by the club for the new First League season.