page_title: Football in Armenia
section_title: Independent Armenia (1992—present)
hierarchical_section_title: Football in Armenia / History / Independent Armenia (1992—present)
caption_attribution_description: English: Dublin, Euro 2012 qualifying group B. Ireland won 2:1 (1:0).
context_page_description: Football is the most popular sport in Armenia.
  As of August 2014, the Armenian national football team is 36th in FIFA World Rankings. Since gaining independence in 1991, Armenia has had its own national association that takes part in all FIFA competitions. FC Ararat Yerevan were one of the leading teams in the top league in the Soviet Union, often playing in European club competitions.
  A number of Armenian players played for the USSR national team, including Khoren Oganesian at the 1982 FIFA World Cup and Eduard Markarov in the 1960s. Markarov later became assistant coach of the Soviet Union's youth team, and was part of the coaching staff at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Portugal in 1991, when the team finished 3rd.
context_section_description: Football became the most popular sport in independent Armenia. Armenia became an independent state in 1991, the Armenian SSR having previously played for the Soviet Union national football team. The Football Federation of Armenia was founded on 18 January 1992 and established relations with FIFA in 1992 and with UEFA in 1993. The history of the Armenia national team began on 14 October 1992, when Armenia played its first match against Moldova. That meeting ended in a goalless draw. Since 1996, the team is a member of qualifiers European and World Championships. Armenia has competed in every UEFA Euro qualification and FIFA World Cup qualification since 1994.
  However, the lack of financial resources forced many clubs in Yerevan and other provinces to retire from professional football.
  As of 2016, only 5 clubs from Yerevan, 1 from Gyumri, 1 from Kapan and 1 from Abovyan are practicing professional football and taking part in the Armenian football league system.
  Many new football stadiums were built in Armenia during the 1st decade of the 21st century. However, many of the Soviet-era stadiums are still in bad conditions. Most of the professional clubs either possess their own stadium or football training academy.
caption: October 11, 2011, Ireland vs. Armenia, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
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