Andorra national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Andorra women's national football team.

Andorra
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Tricolors (The Tricolours)
AssociationAndorran Football Federation
(Federació Andorrana de Futbol)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachKoldo Álvarez
CaptainIldefons Lima
Most capsIldefons Lima (132)
Top scorerIldefons Lima (11)
Home stadiumEstadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella
FIFA codeAND
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 156 Steady (16 September 2021)[1]
Highest125 (September 2005)
Lowest206 (December 2011)
First international
 Andorra 1–6 Estonia 
(Andorra la Vella, Andorra; 13 November 1996)
Biggest win
 Andorra 2–0 Belarus 
(Aixovall, Andorra; 26 April 2000)
 Andorra 2–0 Albania 
(Andorra la Vella, Andorra; 17 April 2002)
 San Marino 0–2 Andorra 
(Serravalle, San Marino; 22 February 2017)
 Andorra 2–0 San Marino 
(Andorra la Vella, Andorra; 2 September 2021)
Biggest defeat
 Czech Republic 8–1 Andorra 
(Liberec, Czech Republic; 4 June 2005)
 Croatia 7–0 Andorra 
(Zagreb, Croatia; 7 October 2006)
 Portugal 7–0 Andorra 
(Lisbon, Portugal; 11 November 2020)

The Andorra national football team (Catalan: Selecció de futbol d'Andorra) represents Andorra in association football and is controlled by the Andorran Football Federation, the governing body for football in Andorra. The team has enjoyed very little success due to the Principality's tiny population, the fifth smallest of any UEFA country (only Liechtenstein, San Marino, Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands are smaller).

Andorra's first official game was a 6–1 defeat in a friendly match to Estonia in 1996. Since the qualifying rounds for the UEFA Euro 2000 tournament, Andorra have competed in qualifying for every European Championship and World Cup but have had very little success. They have only ever won eight matches.

History[]

Though the Andorran Football Federation formed in 1994,[3] and the domestic league started in 1995, the national team could not participate in major championships until it gained affiliation with governing bodies FIFA and UEFA in 1996.[3][4] The national team played its first match against Estonia in Andorra La Vella and lost 6–1.[5]

Andorra's first match in a FIFA-sanctioned competition was a 3–1 loss to Armenia on 5 September 1998 in a qualifier for UEFA Euro 2000. Andorra lost all ten qualifiers for the tournament.[6] The team particularly struggled in away matches; each loss was by at least three goals.[6] Andorra scored only three goals, two of which were penalties,[6] and two of which were in the away matches.[6] Andorra conceded 28 goals,[6] and their biggest defeat of the qualifiers was a 6–1 away loss to Russia.[6]

For their first World Cup qualifying campaign, Andorra were drawn in a group with Cyprus, Estonia, Ireland, the Netherlands and Portugal.[7] They lost their opening match 1–0 to Estonia. In the next game, they lost 3–2 to Cyprus but scored their first World Cup qualifying goals.[7] They were again defeated by Estonia, this time 2–1.[7] They lost all their matches and their only away goal was in a 3–1 loss against Ireland.[7] Their worst defeat was 7–1 to Portugal on a neutral ground in Lleida, Spain.[7] Andorra finished the campaign with no points and conceded 36 goals in ten matches.[7]

In the team's qualification campaign for Euro 2004 they again lost every game. They scored their only goal in a 2–1 away loss to Bulgaria.[8] In this competition the scores were closer than before as they lost 3–0 to Bulgaria, Croatia and Belgium, 2–0 twice to Estonia, 2–0 to Croatia and 1–0 to Belgium.[8]

Match against Ukraine in 2009.

By Andorran standards, qualification for the 2006 World Cup was successful. They won their first competitive game 1–0 at home against Macedonia. Andorra midfielder Marc Bernaus, who played in the Spanish second division, received a long throw in off his chest and volleyed in a goal early in the second half.[9] After the game, Macedonia coach Dragan Kanatlarovski resigned and called the game "a shameful outcome, a humiliation."[10] Andorra also drew two matches, 0–0 in Macedonia and 0–0 at home against Finland.[11]

In Euro 2008 qualifying, Andorra again lost every game.[12] The closest game was against Russia, a 1–0 defeat on 21 November 2007. Their biggest defeat was a 7–0 loss to Croatia in Andorra La Vella, which is their worst defeat in UEFA competitions[13] and matched their loss to the Czech Republic as their largest losing deficit. Andorra scored only two goals and conceded 42 in a total of 12 games.[12] In 2010 World Cup qualifying, Andorra lost all ten matches.[14] For the tournament, they scored three goals, in defeats to Belarus and Kazakhstan, and conceded 39 goals, including six in a defeat to England, the largest margin in the group.[14]

Qualifying for UEFA Euro 2012 ended in familiar fashion; they lost all ten matches, scoring only one goal and conceding 25; their best results were two one-goal losses to Slovakia and a 3–1 loss in Ireland.[15] The 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament was even more disastrous. Andorra lost all their matches while conceding 30 goals and not scoring.

Against Israel in 2015.

During 2016 UEFA Euro qualifying, Andorra again lost all of its ten games but scored four goals, setting a national team record for goals scored in a European Championship qualifying group. On 22 February 2017, Andorra beat San Marino away 2–0 in a friendly match, ending with 12 years and 132 days without winning any match.[16] On 9 June 2017, Andorra beat Hungary 1–0 in a World Cup home qualifier with a goal by Marc Rebés, their first victory in a competitive match since 2004.[17] Thanks to these two wins and a draw against the Faroe Islands on 6 July 2017, Andorra progressed 57 positions in the FIFA rankings to 129th, its second best position ever.[18] On 21 March 2018, Rebés scored the only goal of a friendly win over Liechtenstein in Spain, giving Andorra their third victory of the last 13 months and sixth of all time.[19]

In 2018, Andorra made its debut in the newly created UEFA Nations League. They played in Group 1 of League D, where they finished at the bottom of the group with four ties and two losses, finishing unbeaten at home.[citation needed]

On 11 October 2019, Andorra won 1–0 against Moldova in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying competition, thus ending a 56-match winless run in Euro qualifiers.[20] One month later, the team earned one more point after an away draw against Albania, thus avoiding for the first time to end a qualifying round in the last position.[citation needed]

Stadium[]

Andorra's former home stadium, Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella.

From 1996 until 2014, Andorra played their home matches at the Comunal d'Andorra la Vella, in the capital city of Andorra la Vella. This stadium has a capacity of 1,800 and also hosts the matches of club sides FC Andorra and the Andorran Premier League.[21] On 9 September 2014, the national team began playing at the new Estadi Nacional with a capacity of 3,306.[citation needed]

Andorra have occasionally played home matches outside their borders. For example, Andorra hosted France and England in the 2000 European Championship, 2008 European Championship and 2010 World Cup qualifiers in the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, which was the home of RCD Espanyol between 1997 and 2009.[22][23]

Kit suppliers[]

Kit provider Period
Germany Reusch 1996–2000
United States Reebok 2000–2004
Italy Diadora 2004–2006
Spain Joma 2006–2008
Germany Adidas 2008–2018
Italy Macron 2018–2026

Reputation[]

Andorra's lopsided win-loss record gives them a lowly reputation in world football. The nation has only won four competitive fixtures, World Cup qualifying matches against Macedonia in 2004 and Hungary in 2017, both by 1–0; San Marino in 2021 by 2–0 and a European Championship qualifying match against Moldova in 2019 by 1–0; and three friendly games against Belarus and Albania at home and San Marino away, all of them by 2–0.

With the fourth smallest population of any UEFA country,[24] until the admission of Gibraltar, the talent pool is small. Players are predominantly amateurs because the Andorra domestic league is only part-time. Since Andorra began playing in 1996, their average FIFA ranking is 163.[25]

Manager history[]

Koldo.

Manuel Miluir was the first coach of the team and managed their first three matches of European Championship qualifying. He departed in 1999 to make way for David Rodrigo, whose first competitive match was a 2–0 European Championship qualifying defeat at home to Iceland on 27 March of that year. Rodrigo had been in charge of the team until February 2010, when it was announced that Koldo would take over this role.[26]

Competition records[]

FIFA World Cup record[]

Year Final Tournament Qualification
Round Pld W D L F A Pos. Pld W D L F A
1930 to 1998 Did not enter Did not enter
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify 6th 10 0 0 10 5 36
Germany 2006 7th 12 1 2 9 4 34
South Africa 2010 6th 10 0 0 10 3 39
Brazil 2014 6th 10 0 0 10 0 30
Russia 2018 6th 10 1 1 8 2 23
Qatar 2022 To be determined 5th 6 1 0 5 4 14
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined
Totals 0/21 – – – – – – — 58 3 3 52 18 176

Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks; correct as of 31 March 2021 after the match against Hungary.

UEFA European Championship record[]

Year Final Tournament Qualification
Round Pld W D L F A Pos. Pld W D L F A
1960 to 1996 Did not enter Did not enter
2000 Did not qualify 6th 10 0 0 10 3 28
2004 5th 8 0 0 8 1 18
2008 7th 12 0 0 12 2 42
2012 6th 10 0 0 10 1 25
2016 6th 10 0 0 10 4 36
2020 5th 10 1 1 8 3 20
2024 To be determined To be determined
Totals 0/16 – – – – – – — 60 1 1 58 14 169

Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks; correct as of 17 November 2019 after the match against Turkey.

UEFA Nations League record[]

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Pld W D L GF GA P/R Rank
2018–19 D 1 6 0 4 2 2 9 Same position 53rd
2020–21 D 1 6 0 2 4 1 11 Same position 55th
2022–23 D To be determined
Totals 12 0 6 6 3 20 53rd

Recent results and fixtures[]

Main article: Andorra national football team results (2020–present)

2020[]

3 September 2020 (2020-09-03) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Latvia  0–0  Andorra Riga, Latvia
20:45 Report Stadium: Daugava Stadium
6 September 2020 (2020-09-06) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Andorra  0–1  Faroe Islands Andorra la Vella, Andorra
15:00 Report
Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Harald Lechner (Austria)
7 October 2020 (2020-10-07) Friendly Andorra  1–2  Cape Verde Andorra la Vella, Andorra
20:45
  • Ponck Goal 17' (o.g.)
 Report
  • Mendes Goal 8', 54'
 Stadium: Estadi Nacional
10 October 2020 (2020-10-10) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Andorra  0–0  Malta Andorra la Vella, Andorra
20:45 Report Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: (Luxembourg)
13 October 2020 (2020-10-13) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Faroe Islands  2–0  Andorra Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
20:45
Report Stadium: Tórsvøllur
Referee: Antti Munukka (Finland)
11 November 2020 Friendly Portugal  7–0  Andorra Lisbon, Portugal
 Report Stadium: Estádio da Luz
Referee: Alain Bieri (Switzerland)
14 November 2020 (2020-11-14) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Malta  3–1  Andorra Ta' Qali, Malta
15:00
Report
Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Peter Kralović (Slovakia)
17 November 2020 (2020-11-17) 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Andorra  0–5  Latvia Andorra la Vella, Andorra
20:45 Report
Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: (North Macedonia)

2021[]

25 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Andorra  0–1  Albania Andorra la Vella, Andorra
Report
  • Lenjani Goal 41'
 Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Volen Chinkov (Bulgaria)
28 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Poland  3–0  Andorra Warsaw, Poland
20:45
Report Stadium: Stadion Wojska Polskiego
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
31 March 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Andorra  1–4  Hungary Andorra la Vella, Andorra
20:45
Report
Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Vilhjalmur Thorarinsson (Iceland)
3 June 2021 Friendly Andorra  1–4  Republic of Ireland Andorra la Vella, Andorra
19:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Xavier Estrada Fernández (Spain)
7 June 2021 (2021-06-07) Friendly Andorra  0–0  Gibraltar Andorra la Vella, Andorra
20:45 Report Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Philip Farrugia (Malta)
2 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Andorra  2–0  San Marino Andorra la Vella, Andorra
 Report Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Jakob Kehlet (Denmark)
5 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification England  4–0  Andorra London, England
  • Lingard Goal 18', 78'
  • Kane Goal 72' (pen.)
  • Saka Goal 85'
 Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou (Greece)
8 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Hungary  2–1  Andorra Budapest, Hungary
20:45
Report
Stadium: Puskás Aréna
Referee: Rade Obrenovič (Slovenia)
9 October 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Andorra  v  England Andorra
12 October 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification San Marino  v  Andorra San Marino
12 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Andorra  v  Poland Andorra
15 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Albania  v  Andorra Albania

Andorra all-time record against all nations[]

Key
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
Negative balance (more Losses)
Last match updated was against Hungary on 8 September 2021. Goal difference used to determine placement if results totals of two opponents are identical.

Notes:

  • FIFA-unofficial match on 19 February 1998 between Andorra – Czech Republic (0–1) is not included.

Players[]

Current squad[]

The following players were called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Hungary on 8 September 2021.
Caps and goals correct as of 8 September 2021, after the match against Hungary.[27]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Josep Gómes (1985-12-03) 3 December 1985 (age 35) 76 0 Andorra Inter d'Escaldes
12 1GK Iker Álvarez (2001-07-25) 25 July 2001 (age 20) 3 0 Spain Villarreal B
13 1GK Xisco Pires (1998-01-25) 25 January 1998 (age 23) 2 0 Spain Manchego
6 2DF Ildefons Lima (Captain) (1979-12-10) 10 December 1979 (age 41) 132 11 Andorra Inter d'Escaldes
15 2DF Moisés San Nicolás (1993-09-17) 17 September 1993 (age 27) 63 0 Andorra Atlètic d'Escaldes
5 2DF Emili García (1989-01-11) 11 January 1989 (age 32) 57 1 Andorra Inter d'Escaldes
21 2DF Marc García (1988-03-21) 21 March 1988 (age 33) 51 0 Spain Montañesa
20 2DF Max Llovera (1997-01-08) 8 January 1997 (age 24) 45 1 Spain San Cristóbal
17 2DF Joan Cervós (1998-02-24) 24 February 1998 (age 23) 29 0 Spain Castelldefels
3 2DF Albert Alavedra (1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 (age 22) 9 0 Spain Pobla Mafumet
8 3MF Márcio Vieira (1984-10-10) 10 October 1984 (age 36) 107 0 Spain Atlético Monzón
7 3MF Marc Pujol (1982-08-21) 21 August 1982 (age 39) 97 3 Andorra FC Santa Coloma
2 3MF Cristian Martínez (1989-10-16) 16 October 1989 (age 31) 74 5 Andorra FC Santa Coloma
11 3MF Sergi Moreno (1987-11-25) 25 November 1987 (age 33) 73 0 Andorra Inter d'Escaldes
23 3MF Jordi Rubio (1987-11-01) 1 November 1987 (age 33) 53 0 Andorra Inter d'Escaldes
10 3MF Ludovic Clemente (1986-05-09) 9 May 1986 (age 35) 42 0 Andorra Inter d'Escaldes
4 3MF Xavier Vieira (1992-01-14) 14 January 1992 (age 29) 4 0 Andorra Atlètic d'Escaldes
14 4FW Jordi Aláez (1998-01-23) 23 January 1998 (age 23) 41 1 Spain Manchego
16 4FW Àlex Martínez (1998-10-10) 10 October 1998 (age 22) 37 1 Andorra Atlètic d'Escaldes
9 4FW Aarón Sánchez (1996-06-05) 5 June 1996 (age 25) 25 0 Andorra Atlètic d'Escaldes
19 4FW Ricard Fernández (1999-03-19) 19 March 1999 (age 22) 17 0 Spain Formentera
22 4FW Víctor Bernat (1987-05-17) 17 May 1987 (age 34) 8 0 Andorra UE Santa Coloma

Recent call-ups[]

The following players have been called up to the Andorra squad in the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK (1997-04-15) 15 April 1997 (age 24) 0 0 Andorra Ordino v.  Latvia, 17 November 2020
DF Txus Rubio (1994-09-09) 9 September 1994 (age 27) 30 0 Andorra Inter d'Escaldes v.  England, 5 September 2021
DF Christian García (1999-02-04) 4 February 1999 (age 22) 4 0 Spain Tarazona v.  England, 5 September 2021
DF Eric de Pablos (1999-03-08) 8 March 1999 (age 22) 1 0 Andorra FC Santa Coloma v.  Gibraltar, 7 June 2021
DF Adri Rodrígues (1988-08-14) 14 August 1988 (age 33) 18 0 Andorra Atlètic d'Escaldes v.  Hungary, 28 March 2021
MF Marc Vales (1990-04-04) 4 April 1990 (age 31) 75 4 Norway Sandefjord v.  England, 5 September 2021
MF Marc Rebés (1994-07-03) 3 July 1994 (age 27) 42 3 France Stade Beaucairois v.  England, 5 September 2021
MF Sebas Gómez (1983-11-01) 1 November 1983 (age 37) 32 0 Andorra Engordany v.  Latvia, 17 November 2020
MF Luis Blanco (1990-01-15) 15 January 1990 (age 31) 2 0 Andorra FC Santa Coloma v.  Latvia, 17 November 2020
MF Marc Ferré (1994-01-11) 11 January 1994 (age 27) 3 0 Andorra UE Santa Coloma v.  Faroe Islands, 13 October 2020
MF Albert Reyes (1996-03-24) 24 March 1996 (age 25) 1 0 Andorra UE Santa Coloma v.  Faroe Islands, 13 October 2020
FW Luigi San Nicolás (1992-06-28) 28 June 1992 (age 29) 6 0 Andorra Atlètic d'Escaldes v.  Hungary, 28 March 2021

PRE Preliminary squad.
RET: player retired from international football
INJ: player withdrewed due to injury

Records[]

As of 8 September 2021[28]
Players in bold are still active with Andorra.

Notes[]

  1. ^ A draw counts as a ½ win

References[]

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "Association information – Andorra". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  4. ^ "The Association – Andorra". UEFA. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  5. ^ "Andorra – List of International Matches 1996–2002". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "European Championship 2000". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "World Cup 2002 qualifications". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "European Championship 2004". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 25 June 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  9. ^ "Soccer: Andorra scores its first World Cup victory". The New York Times. 14 October 2004. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Macedonia's coach offers resignation". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. 14 October 2004. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  11. ^ "World Cup 2006 qualifications". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b "European Championship 2008". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  13. ^ "General info – Andorra". UEFA. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "World Cup 2010 qualifications". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  15. ^ "Euro 2012 qualifying tables". BBC. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  16. ^ "La selecció d'Andorra dona per acabada una ratxa de 12 anys i 132 dies sense guanyar" (in Catalan). Bon Dia. 22 February 2017.
  17. ^ "Andorra players shed tears of joy after first competitive win since 2004". ESPNFC.com. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  18. ^ "Lima: 2017 almost too good to be true for Andorra". FIFA. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  19. ^ "Tercera victòria d'Andorra en un any" [Andorra's third victory in a year] (in Catalan). Cadena SER. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  20. ^ "Andorra 1–0 Moldova". UEFA. October 2019.
  21. ^ "Estadi Comunal d Aixovall". Football-Lineups.com. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  22. ^ "European Championship 2008 detailed information". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  23. ^ "World Cup 2010 qualifications detailed information". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 July 2010.
  24. ^ James Appell (8 September 2010). "It's raining... apples?". The Football Ramble. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  25. ^ "FIFA Rankings – Andorra". FIFA. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
  26. ^ "Álvarez assumes Andorra mantle". UEFA.com. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  27. ^ "England-Andorra; FIFA".
  28. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Andorra - Record International Players". RSSSF.

External links[]

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