Georgia Dominate Bulgaria 3-0 in Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifying Match

Victory Marks Georgia’s First Win in Current Campaign

Georgia emerged victorious with a convincing 3-0 win over Bulgaria in their FIFA World Cup Qualifying UEFA match on September 7, 2025. The match, which took place at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi, marked a crucial turning point for the Georgian team in their qualification campaign.

Context and Background

This match was part of UEFA Group E in the qualification tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The group, which includes Bulgaria, Georgia, Spain, and Turkey, follows a round-robin format with teams playing each other home-and-away. The group winner will qualify directly for the World Cup finals, while the runner-up advances to the play-offs.

Team Performance and Recent Form

Georgia, ranked 68th in the FIFA rankings and led by French coach Willy Sagnol since 2021, entered this match following varied performances this year. Their recent record showed three wins, including two against Armenia and one against the Faroe Islands, plus a draw against Cape Verde.

The match featured Georgia’s key players, including Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Villarreal forward Georges Mikautadze.

Historical Context

This encounter marked the ninth meeting between the two teams in their history. Prior to this match, Bulgaria led the head-to-head record with four wins, while Georgia had secured two victories, with two matches ending in draws.

Qualification Implications

This victory represents a significant step forward for Georgia in their quest to participate in the World Cup for the first time in their history. The group, which includes current European champions Spain and Turkey, promises to be highly competitive, with Spain expected to secure the top spot for direct qualification to the tournament.