Armenia and Georgia ahead of the 2029 U20 World Cup: how differently the new generation is developing

We recently published an article about the players who could potentially form the core of the Armenia squad at the home U20 World Cup in 2029.

The list was quite extensive: Armenia genuinely has a number of interesting players in the relevant age group, both at home and abroad. However, if we look beyond names and potential and focus on how much senior football they are actually playing, it becomes clear that this future national team still has a very long way to go.

At present, almost none of the players from this generation have significant experience at senior level. Some are playing in the Armenian First League, although it is difficult to fully equate that competition with the level of the Premier League. Several others are included in the squads of top-flight clubs but receive limited playing time.

That is why it is interesting to compare the situation with neighboring Georgia, where players of a similar age are already developing in a somewhat different environment.

In Georgia, players of this age are already getting senior minutes

Five players who will be age-eligible for the 2029 U20 World Cup are already playing in the Georgian league.

The most striking example is Andria Bartishvili. His market value is already estimated at around €1.5 million, while London club Arsenal acquired the player's rights in the summer for a reported fee of approximately €4.5 million.

Bartishvili is not simply regarded as a prospect for the future. He is already a first-team player for Iberia, features regularly and has taken part in all of the club's matches in European competition.

As a result, by the time the 2029 World Cup arrives, he could potentially have several seasons of senior football behind him.

Another interesting player from this generation is Tornike Kvaratskhelia, the younger brother of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Armenian fans may remember Tornike from the international U15 tournament in Yerevan, where he was named the best player. His market value is currently estimated at around €500,000.

Despite his young age, the 16-year-old Kvaratskhelia is already getting playing time for Dinamo Tbilisi and has also made an appearance in European competition.

This is an important point. It is not only about talent or a player's potential market value, but above all about the number of matches played against senior opposition and the experience a footballer gains even before fully reaching senior age.

This is not a call to play youngsters simply because of their age

At the same time, it is important to stress that we are not suggesting Armenian clubs should automatically field 16- or 17-year-old players simply because they are expected to take part in a home World Cup a few years from now.

If a young player is not yet ready for the Premier League level, does not earn his place through competition in training and is objectively behind more experienced teammates, it would be wrong to give him a place in the team artificially.

The starting line-up must be selected on sporting merit.

Our goal is to highlight the current situation and compare the kind of experience players from the same generation are already receiving in Armenia and Georgia.

For now, that comparison suggests that Armenia's future U20 national team is only at the beginning of its journey.

There is still time before 2029

The World Cup will not take place until 2029, so the current situation is not, in itself, a reason to panic.

Almost everything can change in youth football over the course of three years. A player who is part of a youth team today could establish himself in the First League next year and, one season later, become a first-team player for a Premier League club.

That is why the next few seasons will be extremely important for the generation expected to represent Armenia at the home World Cup.

The most talented players need to make the transition from youth to senior football step by step, enter a competitive environment and adapt to a higher tempo, greater physical intensity and increased responsibility for results.

BKMA has traditionally been one of the main pathways for the development of young players in Armenia. However, if Armenia is to build a genuinely strong national team, it is important that the playing opportunities available to this generation are not limited to just one club.

The more young players who can break into the squads of different Premier League teams, gain experience abroad or play regularly at senior level, the better Armenia's chances will be of assembling a competitive team by 2029.

A home World Cup is a major opportunity

The home U20 World Cup will be one of the biggest football events in the history of independent Armenia.

Taking part in the tournament will be a major occasion in itself. But naturally, everyone would like to see a national team capable not only of stepping onto the pitch in front of its own supporters, but also of competing with the strongest teams in its age group.

Even today, it is already possible to identify a whole group of promising players who could potentially make this squad.

But having talent is only the first step.

The next, and far more difficult, task is to make sure these players gain the necessary senior football experience in the time that remains.

Georgia's example shows that players of the right age can already be first-team regulars, compete in European tournaments and attract the attention of major European clubs.

Armenia's generation born in 2009–2010 still has to make that journey. There is time to do so. But there is also a great deal of work ahead.