Midfielder Eduard Spertsyan has been officially named the new captain of the Armenian national football team, succeeding Tigran Barseghyan. The announcement was made by head coach Yeghishe Melikyan during a press briefing ahead of Armenia’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Hungary and Portugal, marking a new chapter in the team’s leadership.
Spertsyan currently plays club football for FC Krasnodar, the Russian Premier League titleholders, where he also serves as team captain. He has previously led Armenia on several occasions when former captains were unavailable, starting four matches as captain and wearing the armband during multiple others. His consistent leadership at both the club and international levels has made him one of Armenia’s most reliable and respected players.
Before Spertsyan’s appointment, the team was captained by Tigran Barseghyan, who plays for ŠK Slovan Bratislava. In October, Barseghyan was suspended for three matches after headbutting Ireland’s Finn Azaz during a World Cup qualifier in Dublin, which Ireland won 1–0. Barseghyan had earlier issued a public apology, describing his actions during the match as “emotional.”
Melikyan also confirmed the retirement of Lucas Zelarayán, who plays for Belgrano in Argentina. He explained that Zelarayán had already planned to end his international career before Melikyan took charge but cited family issues as the reason for his decision.
The coach further shared that he has spoken with former captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan, expressing his respect for Mkhitaryan’s choice regarding a possible return to the national team. Mkhitaryan retired from international football in March 2022.
The appointment solidifies Eduard Spertsyan’s status as one of the key figures and leaders of the Armenian national team ahead of the upcoming qualifiers.
Armenia’s Upcoming Matches & Group F Standings
Armenia will next face Hungary on November 13, followed by a challenging away match against Portugal on November 16.
After four matches in Group F, Armenia sits fourth with 3 points, having recorded one win and three losses. Portugal leads the group with 10 points, followed by Hungary (5 points) and the Republic of Ireland (4 points).
To stay in contention for qualification, Armenia must secure victories in its remaining fixtures and rely on both Hungary and Ireland dropping points in their upcoming matches. Strong performances in the final two games will be crucial for Armenia’s hopes of advancing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
