From the Armenian Championship to the World Cup: from the local stage to the global arena

The Armenian Premier League often becomes part of a broader football story. Over the years, dozens of foreign players have passed through the league — for some, the Armenian stage was a step toward the international level, while for others, it was the closing chapter of their careers.
Some of them had already played at World Cups before coming to Armenia, while others still keep their hopes alive of getting there in the future.

It is important to note that most of the players mentioned are no longer active in the Armenian Premier League. Nevertheless, their connection with Armenian football remains an essential part of their professional biography.

World Cup participants who have played in the Armenian league

These footballers appeared in World Cup matches and, at different points in their careers, represented Armenian clubs:

• Denis Glushakov — 2014 World Cup (Russia) participant; formerly played for Urartu.

• Sergei Gorlukovich — 1994 World Cup (Russia) participant; played for Mika.

• Alfred N’Diaye — 2018 World Cup (Senegal) participant; played for Noah.

• Khoren Hovhannisyan— 1982 World Cup (USSR) participant; after the Soviet Union’s collapse, played for Kilikia and Pyunik.

• Illiasu Shilla — 2006 World Cup (Ghana) participant; played for Impuls.

• Luqman Haruna — 2010 World Cup (Nigeria) participant; played for Ararat.

Potential 2026 World Cup participants who previously played in Armenia

It has never yet happened that a footballer first played in the Armenian Premier League and later appeared at a World Cup.
In other words, no World Cup commentator has ever said: “A former player of an Armenian club comes onto the pitch.”

Below is a list of players who previously played for Armenian clubs and who still have a chance to be called up to their national teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The qualification stage has already concluded in Oceania and South America, is nearing completion in Africa and Asia, and is in full swing in North America and Europe.

• Logan Rogerson (New Zealand) — A key player for New Zealand, which has already qualified for the World Cup; formerly played for Noah in Armenia. Currently plays for Auckland in the Australian A-League.

• Kwasi Sibo (Ghana) — A regular call-up for the national team; formerly played for Urartu. Now plays in Spain’s La Liga for Real Oviedo. Ghana is very close to qualification.
  
  Kwasi Sibo: From the Armenian League to Spanish La Liga
  

• David Malembana (Mozambique) — Has a chance to make the squad; formerly played for Noah. Currently a free agent. Mozambique has a realistic chance of reaching the play-offs.

• Timothy Fayulu (DR Congo) — Goalkeeper of the DR Congo national team, which is close to securing a play-off spot. Currently plays for Noah (Armenia).

• Sandro Tremoulet (Madagascar) — One of the national team’s leaders; formerly played for Ararat. Now represents Radnik in Serbia. Madagascar is second in Group I and fighting for a play-off berth.

• Romaine Blake (Jamaica) — A player with a chance of national team selection; formerly played for West Armenia. Currently plays in Belgium’s third division.

• Kevin Reyes (El Salvador) — Has over 20 caps for the national team; formerly played for Alashkert. Now plays in the Salvadoran league.

• Mailson Lima (Cape Verde) — The national team has good chances to qualify, though Lima has been called up less frequently in recent years. Formerly played for Ararat-Armenia; currently plays in Malta.

• Adel Anizmaty-Ubudu (Comoros) — Regularly called up to the national team; Comoros is competing with Madagascar for a play-off spot. Currently plays for Ararat (Armenia).

• Kassim Hadji (Comoros) — Part of the extended national team pool; formerly played for Ararat. Now with Žalgiris (Lithuania).

• Liam Rose (Australia) — Performs at a high level in Australia’s A-League and remains a candidate for the national team. Formerly played for Ararat-Armenia. Australia has already secured qualification.

• Ibrahima Sesay (Sierra Leone) — Occasionally called up to the national team; currently plays for Alashkert (Armenia). Sierra Leone still has slim chances for the play-offs.

• Sitta Bah (Sierra Leone) — Among potential call-ups; formerly played for Van, now active in Sierra Leone’s domestic league.

• Lubambo Musonda (Zambia) — Captain and one of Zambia’s most important players; spent several years in the Armenian league with Gandzasar. Currently plays in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga for Magdeburg. Zambia still has a narrow path to qualification.

• Bryan Alceus (Haiti) — Over 37 international appearances; formerly played for Pyunik. Currently in Romania’s second division. Haiti’s chances of qualifying are slim.

• Gustavo Sangaré (Burkina Faso) — 38 caps for Burkina Faso, which has a strong chance to reach the play-offs. Currently plays for Noah (Armenia), though he has been called up less frequently of late.

• Mohamed Konate (Burkina Faso) — A regular member of the national team; formerly played for Pyunik, now plays for Akhmat (Russia).

“Almost” stories

Some footballers with Armenian backgrounds came close to participating in a World Cup but did not make their national teams’ final rosters:

• Gudmundur Thorarinsson (Iceland) — Was called up to the national team after the 2018 World Cup but did not make the final squad; formerly played for an Armenian club.

• Oleksandr Kucher (Ukraine) — Played for Banants in 2003; later became a key player for Ukraine but did not make the final squad for the 2006 World Cup.

Statistics and observations

In total, six footballers in the history of the Armenian Premier League have experience playing in World Cups.
Currently, 17 players with an Armenian past have real or potential chances to appear at the 2026 tournament.
The list spans four continents and over 15 national teams, including representatives from Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Caribbean region.
Among former Armenian league players are also participants of tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations, OFC Nations Cup, and CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Significance for Armenian football

The experience of these players demonstrates that, despite its modest scale, the Armenian Premier League remains part of the global football ecosystem. It serves both as a launchpad for young foreign players and as a final stage for seasoned professionals nearing the end of their careers.

If even one player with Armenian league experience appears on the pitch at the 2026 World Cup, it will be a symbolic confirmation that Armenian football maintains a meaningful place in the international structure — continuing to influence player careers and global football pathways around the world.