Moldova national under-21 football team
| Nickname | Tricolorii mici (The Young Tricolours) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Moldovan Football Federation (FMF) | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Serghei Cebotari | ||
| Home stadium | Nisporeni Central Stadium | ||
| FIFA code | MDA | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
| Moldova 0–1 Belarus (Chișinău, Moldova; 30 August 1992) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
| Moldova 5–1 Georgia (Valletta, Malta; 27 February 2006) Gibraltar 0–4 Moldova (Gibraltar; 29 March 2022) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| Greece 8–0 Moldova (Sparta, Greece; 23 October 1996) | |||
| Website | fmf.md (in Romanian) | ||
The Moldova national under-21 football team represents Moldova in international football at this age level and is controlled by the Moldovan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Moldova. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the senior Moldovan national football team. The team competes to qualify for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, held every two years. Since the establishment of the Moldovan under-21 team, the under-21 side has never reached a final tournament of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, but has produced many players, who have become regular internationals for the senior side. The team is coached by Serghei Cebotari.[1][2]
This team is for Moldovan players aged 21 or under at the start of a two-year European Under-21 Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. Players born on or after 1 January 2004 are eligible for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.
Moldova U21s began their first competitive campaign in 1994, in which they tried to qualify for the 1996 finals. They eventually finished fourth in a five-team group, with two wins out of eight games. The U-21 team plays its home matches in many different venues all around the country, including Chișinău and Nisporeni.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss
2025
| 22 March 2025 Friendly | Moldova | 0–2 | Azerbaijan | Belek, Turkey |
| Report | Mammadov 25' Shafiyev 40' |
Stadium: Cornelia Sports Centre |
| 25 March 2025 Friendly | Moldova | 1–2 | Kosovo | Belek, Turkey |
| Rotaru 46' | Report | Gashi 7' Krasniqi 65' |
Stadium: Cornelia Sports Centre |
| 10 June 2025 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Moldova | 3–0 | Andorra | Nisporeni, Moldova |
| Lupan 38' Rotaru 61' Costin 90+6' |
Report | Stadium: Stadionul Central Nisporeni Attendance: 873 Referee: Alexandros Tsakalidis (Greece) |
| 4 September 2025 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Moldova | 1–2 | Republic of Ireland | Nisporeni, Moldova |
| Lupan 23' | Report | Melia 37', 74' | Stadium: Stadionul Central Nisporeni Attendance: 1,180 Referee: Klym Zabroda (Ukraine) |
| 9 September 2025 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Moldova | 2–3 | Slovakia | Nisporeni, Moldova |
| Costin 38', 90+1' (pen.) | Report | Stadium: Stadionul Central Nisporeni Attendance: 703 Referee: Jérémy Muller (Luxembourg) |
| 10 October 2025 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Moldova | 0–4 | England | Chișinău, Moldova |
| Report | Jamie Gittens 28' Divin Mubama 68', 74' (pen.) Rico Lewis 89' |
Stadium: Stadionul Zimbru Attendance: 2,849 Referee: Bence Csonka (Hungary) |
| 14 October 2025 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Slovakia | 2–0 | Moldova | Košice, Slovakia |
| Report | Stadium: Košická futbalová aréna Attendance: 2,403 Referee: Vitālijs Spasjoņņikovs (Lithuania) |
| 13 November 2025 Friendly | Moldova | 0–1 | Albania | Vadul lui Vodă, Moldova |
| Report | Alili 18' | Stadium: Stadionul CPSM Referee: Dumitru Muntean (Moldova) |
| 17 November 2025 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Kazakhstan | 1–1 | Moldova | Astana, Kazakhstan |
| Bagdat 6' | Report | Rotaru 90' (pen.) | Stadium: Astana Arena Attendance: 5,421 Referee: Pavle Ilić (Serbia) |
2026
| 26 March 2026 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Republic of Ireland | v | Moldova | Dublin, Republic of Ireland |
| Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium |
| 31 March 2026 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | England | v | Moldova | Norwich, England |
| Report | Stadium: Carrow Road |
| 2 October 2026 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Andorra | v | Moldova | Andorra la Vella, Andorra |
| Report | Stadium: Estadi Nacional |
| 6 October 2026 2027 UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifying | Moldova | v | Kazakhstan | Moldova |
| Report |
2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | +13 | 15 | Final tournament |
| 2 | Slovakia | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 13 | Final tournament or Play-offs |
| 3 | Republic of Ireland | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 7 | |
| 4 | Andorra | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 6 | |
| 5 | Kazakhstan | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 4 | |
| 6 | Moldova | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | −5 | 4 |
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2025. Source: UEFA
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Serghei Cebotari |
| Assistant coach | Stanislav Luca |
| Goalkeeping coach | Igor Josan |
| Fitness coach | Alexandru Carp |
Last updated: 20 June 2025
Source: FMF
Manager history
| Coach | Nat. | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Anatol Teslev | 1995–1996 | |
| Alexandru Spiridon | 2000–2001 | |
| Alexandru Guzun | 2002–2003 | |
| Vladimir Vusatîi | 2003–2004 | |
| Boris Tropaneț | 2004–2007 | |
| Ilie Carp | 2007–2008 | |
| Sergiu Chirilov | 2008–2011 | |
| Alexandru Curtianu | 2011–2014 | |
| Igor Ursachi | 2014–2015 | |
| Dănuț Oprea | 2015–2017 | |
| Serghei Cleșcenco | 2019–2020 | |
| Alexandru Guzun | 2020 | |
| Ștefan Stoica | 2021–2025 | |
| Serghei Cebotari | 2025– |
Players
Current squad
The following players were selected for the 2027 UEFA Euro U21 qualifying matches against Ireland and England on 26 and 31 March 2026, respectively.
Caps and goals are correct as of 17 November 2025, after the match against Kazakhstan.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | GK | Roman Dumenco | 30 July 2004 | 8 | 0 | Dacia Buiucani |
| GK | Artur Nazarciuc | 6 January 2004 | 2 | 0 | Bălți | |
| GK | Daniel Rusu | 9 February 2007 | 0 | 0 | Zimbru Chișinău U19 | |
| 2 | DF | Vlad Pascari | 14 September 2006 | 2 | 0 | Petrocub Hîncești |
| 4 | DF | Matteo Obleac | 23 June 2006 | 4 | 0 | Frosinone Primavera |
| 5 | DF | Vladislav Boico | 14 September 2006 | 1 | 0 | Bălți |
| 13 | DF | Leo Saca | 3 January 2007 | 11 | 0 | Barcelona Atlètic |
| 14 | DF | Petar Gospodinov | 9 March 2005 | 9 | 0 | Spartak Pleven |
| 16 | DF | David Sîrbu | 31 August 2006 | 1 | 0 | Milsami Orhei |
| DF | Artiom Dijinari | 26 October 2005 | 13 | 0 | Dacia Buiucani | |
| DF | Vlad Coliș | 24 January 2004 | 6 | 0 | Dacia Buiucani | |
| DF | Ivan Graminschii | 5 February 2007 | 0 | 0 | St Patrick's Athletic Academy | |
| DF | Nichita Lipcan | 4 October 2007 | 0 | 0 | Politehnica UTM | |
| 6 | MF | Vladislav Costin | 24 February 2004 | 10 | 4 | Bălți |
| 7 | MF | Lucian Radu | 1 November 2005 | 7 | 0 | Zimbru Chișinău |
| 17 | MF | Ovidiu David | 24 October 2006 | 8 | 0 | Petrocub Hîncești |
| 19 | MF | Victor Ciumașu | 24 June 2005 | 5 | 0 | Dacia Buiucani |
| MF | Dan-Angelo Boțan | 19 February 2005 | 5 | 0 | Bălți | |
| MF | Vasile Luchița | 16 July 2004 | 4 | 0 | Milsami Orhei | |
| MF | Gheorghe Moșneagu | 30 April 2007 | 0 | 0 | Shelbourne Academy | |
| 10 | FW | Mihai Lupan (captain) | 8 September 2004 | 18 | 3 | Petrocub Hîncești |
| 15 | FW | Nicolae Țelic | 26 February 2004 | 2 | 0 | Politehnica UTM |
| 18 | FW | Cristian Antonciuc | 12 February 2006 | 2 | 0 | Desenzano Calvina |
| FW | Nichita Caragheorghi | 4 October 2007 | 0 | 0 | Sammaurese | |
Recent call-ups
Players born in or after 2004 are eligible for the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
The following players have also been called up in the past to the Moldova under-21 squad and remain eligible to play in the qualification matches for 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship:
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Daniel Vîrlan | 18 September 2005 | 2 | 0 | Spartanii Sportul | v. Kazakhstan, 17 November 2025 |
| GK | Victor Dodon | 1 March 2004 | 6 | 0 | Petrocub Hîncești | v. Slovakia, 14 October 2025 |
| GK | Roman Lazăr | 14 January 2004 | 2 | 0 | Enosis Neon Paralimni | v. Kosovo, 25 March 2025 |
| DF | Danil Andreiciu | 11 September 2006 | 5 | 0 | Politehnica UTM | v. Kazakhstan, 17 November 2025 |
| DF | Pavel Nazari | 12 June 2005 | 4 | 0 | Petrocub Hîncești | v. Kazakhstan, 17 November 2025 |
| DF | Maxim Cononenco | 1 August 2005 | 1 | 0 | Stăuceni | v. Albania, 13 November 2025 |
| DF | Denis Gușpit | 30 April 2006 | 0 | 0 | Florești | v. England, 10 October 2025 PRE |
| DF | Danila Forov | 7 January 2004 | 9 | 0 | Sheriff Tiraspol | v. Slovakia, 9 September 2025 |
| DF | Mihail Gherasimencov | 25 March 2005 | 4 | 0 | Vancouver Whitecaps | v. Republic of Ireland, 4 September 2025 |
| DF | Cristian Martin | 22 December 2004 | 2 | 0 | Oltul Curtișoara | v. Andorra, 10 June 2025 |
| DF | Mihai Morozan | 22 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Inter Sibiu | v. Andorra, 10 June 2025 |
| DF | Iulian Bejan | 4 March 2004 | 1 | 0 | Victoria Chișinău | v. Kosovo, 25 March 2025 |
| DF | Daniele Grosu | 20 November 2005 | 4 | 0 | Calvi Noale | v. Kosovo, 25 March 2025 |
| MF | Alexandru Mardari | 31 May 2006 | 2 | 0 | Politehnica UTM | v. Kazakhstan, 17 November 2025 |
| MF | Serghei Țurcan | 27 July 2004 | 7 | 0 | Dacia Buiucani | v. Slovakia, 14 October 2025 |
| MF | Ștefan Bîtca | 25 September 2005 | 8 | 0 | Zalaegerszeg | v. Slovakia, 14 October 2025 |
| MF | Cristian Păscăluță | 8 September 2005 | 14 | 0 | Spartanii Sportul | v. Slovakia, 14 October 2025 PRE |
| MF | Sergiu Perciun | 23 April 2006 | 2 | 0 | Torino | v. Kosovo, 25 March 2025 |
| FW | Nicolae Rotaru | 19 December 2005 | 12 | 4 | Petrocub Hîncești | v. Kazakhstan, 17 November 2025 |
| FW | Veaceslav Cozma | 1 March 2005 | 10 | 0 | Sheriff Tiraspol | v. Kazakhstan, 17 November 2025 |
| FW | Eduard Creciun | 9 November 2005 | 2 | 0 | Bălți | v. Albania, 13 November 2025 |
| FW | Artur Sprinsean | 21 January 2006 | 0 | 0 | Politehnica UTM | v. Slovakia, 14 October 2025 |
| FW | Vlad Lupașco | 11 February 2005 | 14 | 0 | Dacia Buiucani | v. Slovakia, 14 October 2025 |
| FW | Nicolae Spătar | 1 March 2005 | 1 | 0 | Sheriff-2 Tiraspol | v. Andorra, 10 June 2025 |
| FW | Ion Ciobanu | 13 February 2006 | 1 | 0 | 1. FC Nürnberg II | v. Andorra, 10 June 2025 |
| FW | Vitalie Dumbrava | 23 April 2004 | 4 | 0 | Dacia Buiucani | v. Kosovo, 25 March 2025 |
INJ Withdrew due to injury | ||||||
Competition history
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
- 1978 to 1992 – see Soviet Union
| UEFA U-21 European Championship | UEFA U-21 Qualification record[3] | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Campaign | |||
| 1996 | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 1996 | |||||||||||
| 1998 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 17 | 1998 | ||||||||||||
| 2000 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 2000 | ||||||||||||
| 2002 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 2002 | ||||||||||||
| 2004 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 14 | 2004 | ||||||||||||
| 2006 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 2006 | ||||||||||||
| 2007 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2007 | 2007 | |||||||||||
| 2009 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 2009 | ||||||||||||
| 2011 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 2011 | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 24 | 2013 | ||||||||||||
| 2015 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 2015 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 18 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| 2019 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 23 | 2019 | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 22 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| 2025 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 20 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| 2027 | In progress | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 2027 | |||||||||||
| Total | 0/16 | 146 | 36 | 28 | 82 | 114 | 240 | ||||||||||||
Head-to-head record
Only competitive matches are included and correct as of 17 November 2025.[4]
| Opponents | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Andorra | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 |
| Armenia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Austria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 |
| Azerbaijan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Belarus | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | −4 |
| Belgium | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | −4 |
| Bulgaria | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
| Croatia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | −7 |
| Cyprus | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Czechia | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 16 | −13 |
| Denmark | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| England | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 13 | −11 |
| Estonia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Faroe Islands | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Finland | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 |
| France | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 9 | −7 |
| Germany | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 20 | −16 |
| Gibraltar | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 |
| Greece | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | −6 |
| Hungary | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Iceland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ireland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 |
| Israel | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Italy | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | −11 |
| Kazakhstan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Kosovo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latvia | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Liechtenstein | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lithuania | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 |
| Luxembourg | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 |
| Malta | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 |
| Montenegro | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 14 | −12 |
| North Macedonia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 |
| Northern Ireland | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 |
| Norway | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 |
| Poland | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| Portugal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | −7 |
| Romania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | −4 |
| Russia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 14 | −11 |
| San Marino | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | +8 |
| Scotland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Serbia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Slovakia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | −6 |
| Slovenia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 |
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sweden | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | −9 |
| Switzerland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | −5 |
| Turkey | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 |
| Ukraine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wales | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | −2 |
| Total | 146 | 36 | 28 | 82 | 114 | 240 | −126 |
See also
- Moldova national football team
- Moldova national under-19 football team
- Moldova national under-17 football team
References
- ^ "Lot". fmf.md.
- ^ "Staff-ul tehnic". fmf.md.
- ^ "Statistics". RSSSF.
- ^ "H2H". fmf.md.
External links
- Moldova U-21 at uefa.com
- Moldova U-21 at soccerway