Armenia National Team Begins Preparation for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

The Armenia national football team has started a training camp ahead of the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Portugal and Ireland.

The first training session will take place today at 18:30.

The following players have already joined the camp:

• Henri Avagyan (Pyunik)
• Ognjen Čančarević (Noah)
• Arsen Beglaryan (Alashkert)
• Kamo Hovhannisyan (Ararat-Armenia)
• Stepa Mkrtchyan (Osijek, Croatia)
• Erik Piloyan (Urartu)
• Edgar Grigoryan (Ararat-Armenia)
• Gevorg Harutyunyan (Puskás Akadémia, Hungary)
• Sergey Muradyan (Noah)
• Albert Khachumyan (Ararat)
• Jirair Shaghoyan (Ararat-Armenia)
• Narek Aghasaryan (Urartu)
• Gor Manvelyan (Noah)
• Eduard Spertsyan (Krasnodar, Russia)
• Artak Dashyan (Noah)
• Edgar Sevikyan (Ferencváros, Hungary)
• Hovhannes Harutyunyan (Noah)
• Artur Serobyan (Ararat-Armenia)
• Daniel Aghbalan (Pyunik)
• Ugochukwu Kristus Iwu (Rubin, Russia)
• Karen Nalbandyan (Alashkert)
• Grant-Leon Ranos (Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany)

To join later:

• Nair Tiknizyan, Tigran Barseghyan, and Vahan Bichakhchyan – on September 2,

• Lucas Zelarayán – on September 3.

Due to injury, Norberto Briasco Balekyan will be unavailable for the team.

UPDATE: Erik Simonyan called up to the Armenian national team

Upcoming matches:

• September 6 – Armenia vs. Portugal at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium. Kick-off at 20:00 (Yerevan time).

• September 9 – Armenia vs. Ireland at the same stadium. Kick-off also at 20:00.