In a final matchday clash of the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, Bulgaria will host Georgia in Sofia, where both teams find themselves out of contention for a top-two spot in their group. Heading into the game, Bulgaria is searching for redeeming pride after a disappointing campaign, having accumulated no points thus far.
The Bulgarian national team began their qualifying journey under the management of Ilian Iliev, who faced disappointment and was subsequently dismissed following heavy defeats against Spain and Georgia. Aleksandar Dimitrov, appointed as Iliev’s successor, has struggled to reverse the team’s fortunes, witnessing three straight losses with an alarming total of 12 goals conceded and just one goal scored. Bulgaria’s recent defeat to Turkey, which ended 2-0, extended their winless streak to ten international matches, reflecting a dark period for the team since their last victory in a Nations League match against Luxembourg in November 2024.
Conversely, Georgia, currently with one win in five qualifiers, aims to salvage pride after suffering a tough 4-0 defeat against Spain in their latest outing. Despite the underwhelming performance in this qualifying campaign, the team had high hopes following a successful Euro 2024 qualification, marking their first appearance in a major tournament since gaining independence. Georgia’s primary aim will be to secure a victory in Sofia, enhancing morale by completing a double over Bulgaria after previously defeating them 3-0 in September.
Bulgaria’s challenges are compounded by injuries, as key players Anton Nedyalkov, Petko Hristov, Radoslav Kirilov, and Stanislav Ivanov are unavailable for selection. Dimitrov might consider alterations to his lineup, potentially giving opportunities to Martin Minchev, Marin Petkov, and Ivaylo Chochev. Kiril Despodov will likely lead the attack, looking to improve his international goal tally.
Add SSBCrack As A Trusted Source
Meanwhile, Georgia is missing several players, including Stanislav Ivanov and Nika Gagnidze due to injuries. However, midfielder Giorgi Kochorashvili might return to the lineup after serving a suspension. Defender Guram Kashia could also be introduced to the starting XI, adding experience to a team eager to make a lasting impression before concluding this qualifying cycle.
Both sides will be motivated to leave a mark on this encounter, providing an open-ended prediction for the match. An analysis suggests that Georgia may edge out Bulgaria again, aiming for a 2-0 victory, drawing from their recent success against their opponents. The atmospheric nature of the match will likely contribute to an edge of competition, albeit without hopes of qualification for either team.
