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			{{Short description|Men's association football team}}
	{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2012}}
			{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Bulgaria women's national football team}}
			{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
	{{Infobox national football team		{{Infobox national football team
	| Name = ]		| Name = Bulgaria
	| Badge = Bulgaria_logo_2016.png		| Badge = Bgnatcrest.png
	| Nickname = Лъвовете (The Lions)		| Badge_size = 200px
			| Nickname = {{lang|bg|Лъвовете}} / {{lang|bg-Latn|Lavovete}}<br />(The ])<br /> {{lang|bg|Трикольорите}} / {{lang|bg-Latn|Trikolyorite}}<br />(The ])
	| Association = ]
			| Association = {{nowrap|] (BFU)}}
	| Confederation = ] (])
	| Coach = ]		| Confederation = ] (Europe)
	| Captain = ]		| Coach = ]
	| Most caps = ] (106)		| Captain = ]
	| Top scorer = ]<br /> ] (48)		| Most caps = ] (105)
			| Top scorer = ]<br />] (48)
	| Home Stadium = ]
			| Home Stadium = ]
	| FIFA Trigramme = BUL
	| FIFA Rank = {{Nft rank|38|up|14|date=14 September 2017}}		| FIFA Trigramme = BUL
	| FIFA max = 8		| FIFA Rank = {{FIFA World Rankings|BUL}}
	| FIFA max date = June 1995		| FIFA max = 8
	| FIFA min = 96		| FIFA max date = June 1995
	| FIFA min date = August 2012		| FIFA min = 96
	| Elo Rank = {{Nft rank|57|||date=29 March 2017}}		| FIFA min date = May 2012
	| Elo max = 2		| Elo Rank = {{World Football Elo Ratings|Bulgaria}}
	| Elo max date = August 1975		| Elo max = 3
	| Elo min = 40		| Elo max date = August 1975
	| Elo min date = August 1955		| Elo min = 82
			| Elo min date = 15 November 2020
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	|socks2=00924A| First game = {{fb|Bulgaria}} 0–6 {{fb-rt|Austria}} <br> (], ]; 21 May 1924)
			| shorts2 = 641725
	| Largest win = {{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} '''Bulgaria''' 10–0 {{fb-rt|Ghana}} <br> (], ]; 14 October 1968)
			| socks2 = 641725
	| Largest loss = {{fb|Bulgaria}} 0–13 {{fb-rt|Spain}} <br> (], ]; 21 May 1933)
	| World cup apps = 7		| pattern_la3 = _bul24t
	| World cup first = 1962		| pattern_b3 = _bul24t
	| World cup best = Fourth place, ]		| pattern_ra3 = _bul24t
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	| Regional name = ]
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	| Regional cup apps = 2
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	| Regional cup first = ]
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	| Regional cup best = Group stage, ] and ]
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			| First game = {{fb|AUT}} 6–0 {{fb-rt|BUL}}<br />(], ]; 21 May 1924)
			| Largest win = {{fb|SIN|colonial}} 2–10 {{fb-rt|BUL|1948}}<br /> (]; 13 December 1956)
			| Largest loss = {{fb|ESP|1931}} 13–0 {{fb-rt|BUL}}<br />(], ]; 21 May 1933)
			| World cup apps = 7
			| World cup first = 1962
			| World cup best = Fourth place (])
			| Regional name = ]
			| Regional cup apps = 2
			| Regional cup first = ]
			| Regional cup best = Group stage (], ])
			| medaltemplates =
			{{Medal|Competition|]}}
			{{MedalSilver | ]|]}}
			{{MedalBronze | ]|]}}
			{{Medal|Competition|]}}
			{{MedalGold | ]|Team}}
			{{MedalGold | ]|Team}}
			{{MedalGold | ]|Team}}
			{{MedalSilver | ]|Team}}
			{{MedalSilver | ]|Team}}
			{{MedalBronze | ]|Team}}
	}}		}}
	{{MedalTop}}
	{{MedalSport | Men’s ]}}
	{{MedalSilver | ] | ]}}
	{{MedalBronze | ] | ]}}
	{{MedalBottom}}
			The '''Bulgaria national football team''' ({{langx|bg|Български национален отбор по футбол|Bǎlgarski natsionalen otbor po futbol}}) represents ] in men's international ], and is administered by the ], a member association of ].
	The '''Bulgaria national football team''' ({{lang-bg|Български национален отбор по футбол}}) is an ] team fielded by the ], a member association of ]. The team's home stadium is Vasil Levski in ] and ] is the current national manager. Their best achievmenets are — one ] semi-final in ], one ] quarter-final in ], one ] final in ], and three ] titles. Although defeating strong top ranked teams in many international friendlies throughout the years, the team's strength has slowly diminished, failing to qualify for any major tournament since 2004.
			Bulgaria's best achievements are reaching the final at the ] ] and the fourth-place finish at the ] in ]. Bulgaria have competed at a total of seven World Cups, debuting in ] and last appearing in ]. In addition, they have participated in two ], in ] and ], the latter marking their most recent major tournament appearance. The team has also competed at the ], winning three titles.
	==History==		==History==
			===1922–1945: early history===
			The Bulgaria national football team was formed in 1922. In 1923, the ] was formed and the team's first match was held in ] on 21 May 1924, which resulted in a 6–0 defeat against ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/bulgarien-team/1924/3/index.html|title=1924 friendly Austria v Bulgaria|website=worldfootball.net|access-date=22 October 2019|archive-date=5 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405050855/https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/bulgarien-team/1924/3/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bulgaria also participated in the ] in Paris a few days later.
			After being unable to compete in the 1930 World Cup, the Bulgarian side did not qualify for any major tournament for nearly 30 years, narrowly falling short of qualification on numerous occasions. The national team had gone on a streak of finishing 2nd or 3rd in their qualifying groups along with proceeding to the play-offs, but in the end, failing to qualify. Despite their qualifying problems, the national team did manage to defeat many elite teams during memorable international friendlies during those years. It also seemed as if the only tournaments they managed to qualify for were smaller tournaments, such as the ], which they won three times (], ] and ]), thus being the competition's second most successful team only behind ] with four titles.
	===The beginning===
	The Bulgaria national team was founded in 1922. In 1923, the Bulgarian Football Union was established and the team's first match was held in ] on 21 May 1924, against ]<ref name="pavlov">{{cite news|url=http://bnr.bg/radiobulgaria/post/100426182|title=Българският футбол чества исторически годишнини на фона на нерадостна реалност|last=Павлов|first=Стоимен|date=2014-06-24|work=Radio Bulgaria|publisher=Българско национално радио|language=Bulgarian|accessdate=1 August 2015|location=София}}</ref> a 6–0 defeat.<ref> at EU-Football.info</ref> The result was not surprising since Austria was at that time an avangarde of the Central–European school which dominated football in that period. To bring Bulgaria closer to that level, the Bulgarian FA has brought Austrian coaches ] and ] in the 1920s, and Hungarians ], ] and German Feist in the 1930s.
			===1960s and 1970s===
	Bulgaria was invited to participate in the ] in Uruguay, but eventually rejected the invitation because the players were incapable of having an extended leave of absence from work.<ref name="banov">{{cite news|url=http://www.24chasa.bg/Article.asp?ArticleId=3776401|title=Българският флаг накартичка от първото световно по футбол|last=Банов|first=Георги|date=2014-03-23|work=24 часа|publisher=МГБХ|language=Bulgarian|accessdate=1 August 2015|location=София}}</ref>
			] 0–0, ]]]
			Bulgaria qualified for the ] for the first time in its history in ] and followed that up with consecutive appearances in ], ] and ]. The team, however, did not have much success and finished in third place in their group two out of the four times.
			Bulgaria took part in qualifiers for the ] in ] and went on to win their group with impressive wins over ], ], and ]. Although they would go on to lose to the eventual champions and hosts ] in a ] qualifying play-off.
	===1930 to 1960===
	The Bulgarian team at this time could not progress in qualifying for any major tournaments from 1930 to 1960. They would end up finishing, on many occasions, in second or third place in their qualifying group and proceeding to the play-offs, but in the end, failing to qualify. Bulgaria, however, did defeat many strong teams in international games during those years. The only tournaments they were able to qualify for were smaller tournaments, such as the Balkan Cup, which they have won four times. They qualified for the ] for the second time in ]
			At the ], the team won the silver medal. They finished first in ] by defeating ] 7–0, ] 2–1, and drawing 2–2 against ]. They advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating ] and then the semi-finals by defeating favored hosts ]. In the ], the team was defeated by ], in what many would say was a hard-fought match for both sides.
	===1960s and 1970s===
	Bulgaria qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 1962 and followed that up with consecutive appearances in ], ] and ]. The team, however finished third in their group three out of the four times.
			Despite winning the ] twice in 1931 and 1932, the Bulgaria national team added two more trophies to their case as they went on to win the tournament in 1973 and 1976. In both 1973 and 1976, Bulgaria had used their previous World Cup experience to create a very tactical team. This paid off quite well, as they had many decisive victories over Hungary, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Poland, Albania and Romania. In fact, the team won the 1976 Balkan Cup by beating ] in the two-legged final 1–0 and 3–2.
	At the ], the team won the silver medal. They finished first in ] by beating ] 7–0, ] 2–1, and drawing 2–2 against ]. They advanced to the quarterfinals by beating ] and the semifinals by beating host ]. In the ], the team was defeated by ].
			Bulgaria finally qualified for their first World Cup in 1962. Bulgaria was drawn in a tough group with elite opponents in ], powerhouse ] and ]. Bulgaria opened up their campaign with a narrow 0–1 loss to Argentina. Later on, Bulgaria would lose their second group match by a 6–1 score to Hungary. Bulgaria's hopes of qualifying were over, but the national team impressively drew with England (who would host and win ]) 0–0 and finished fourth in the group with only one point.
	In 1976, the team won the ] by beating ] in the two-legged final 1–0 and 3–2.
			Bulgaria qualified for their second straight World Cup, drawn into an even tougher group compared to the previous World Cup. They were placed in the ] with superpowers Hungary, ] and ], with ] at the helm. Bulgaria opened their campaign match with a 0–2 loss to Brazil thanks to two free kick goals by Pelé and ]. In their second match Bulgaria loss 0–3 to ]'s Portugal. Finally, Bulgaria with no chance of advancing to the next round, finished their last match with a 1–3 loss to Hungary. Bulgaria once again finished fourth with zero points in the group.
	===1962 World Cup===
	Bulgaria finally qualified to their first international tournament, the ], and this would be the first time that they qualified, after not doing so for 32 years. Bulgaria was placed in a group alongside England, Argentina and Hungary. Bulgaria would open up their campaign with a narrow 0–1 loss to Argentina then would lose their second match 1–6 to Hungary. Mathematically eliminated from progressing to the next round, Bulgaria drew England 0–0 to finish fourth in the group with only one point.
			After their poor World Cup performance, Bulgaria was determined to redeem themselves. Bulgaria was drawn in a very tough group for qualifying, with Norway and Sweden, along with Eusebio's Portugal. Bulgaria started off with a 4–2 win over Norway. They would add to their winning streak with a 2–0 victory against Sweden. In their next two matches Bulgaria would draw 0–0 against Norway, and dominate Sweden 3–0. In their final two group fixtures Bulgaria played Portugal to a 1–0 victory at home and an 0–0 draw on the road, but it was enough to advance to the two-legged qualifying play-off. There Bulgaria were drawn against eventual Euro 1968 host Italy. Italy were defeated in the first leg 3–2, but won the second by a 0–2 score to advance 4–3 on aggregate. Italy would win the playoff and go on to win the tournament, while Bulgaria was eliminated from reaching the finals.
	===1966 World Cup===
	Bulgaria would qualify for their second World Cup in ]. They were placed in a group, alongside Hungary, ] and a ]-led ]. Bulgaria would open their campaign match with a 0–2 loss to Brazil thanks to two free-kick goals by Pelé and ]. Later on, Bulgaria would lose 0–3 to the ]-led Portugal, then lost again to Hungary (1–3). They would finish fourth in their group zero points earned.
			A month and a half after the European Championship qualifying came the Olympics, which Bulgaria had qualified for the fifth time in their history. They were drawn in a simple group with Thailand, Guatemala and Czechoslovakia. Bulgaria started off with a 7–0 thrashing of Thailand. They later went on and drew with Czechoslovakia 2–2 to increase their point standards. Their final match once again determined if they would carry on to the quarter-finals. Needing a decisive win, Bulgaria went on to defeat Guatemala 2–1 and win their Olympic group. They qualified directly to the quarter-finals facing underdogs, Israel. The game remained 1–1 for most of the match until a drawing of lots determined who would go on to the semi-finals of the tournament. Winning the draw Bulgaria advanced to the semi-finals against Mexico. After a very hard-fought match, Bulgaria proved stronger as they came out on top with a 3–2 victory. Bulgaria advanced to the finals for the first time in their Olympic history. They were determined to win the gold medal, but fell short with a 1–4 loss to Hungary. Although battling hard, Bulgaria came out with the silver medal.
	===1968 Summer Olympics===
	A month-and-a-half after the Euro came the Olympics, which Bulgaria had qualified for the fifth time in their history. They were drawn in a group with Thailand, Guatemala and Czechoslovakia. Bulgaria began with a 7–0 win over Thailand. They would later go on and draw with Czechoslovakia 2–2. Their final match would determine if they would go on to the quarterfinals. Bulgaria defeated Guatemala 2–1 and win their first round Olympic group. They passed on to the Quarterfinals to face Israel. That game would remain 1–1 for most of the match until a drawing of lots determined who would go to the semi-finals of the tournament. Bulgaria won the draw and advanced to play Mexico. They won in overtime with a 3–2 victory. Bulgaria advanced to the finals for the first time in their Olympic history. They then suffered a 1–4 loss to Hungary. Bulgaria won the silver medal in the end.
			Bulgaria qualified for their third straight World Cup, held in Mexico, just like the 1968 Olympics. They were drawn in a very tricky group with ], ] and ]. Bulgaria played their first match against Peru, losing 3–2. Germany won Bulgaria's second match, 5–2. The last group stage match ended 1–1; Bulgaria ended up in 3rd place.
	===1970 World Cup===
	Bulgaria qualified for their third-straight World Cup in 1970, held in Mexico. They were drawn in a group with Western Germany, ], and ]. Playing their first match against Peru, Bulgaria were leading 2–0 until near the end when the Peruvians came back to win Peru 2–3. In the second match, Bulgaria would fall to West Germany 5–2, ensuring Bulgaria would need to defeat Morocco to progress to the next round. A 1–1 draw, however, resulted in a third-place group finish and elimination from the tournament.
			The ] was held in West Germany. They were drawn in a decently tough group, with the ], Sweden and ]. Bulgaria started off with a goalless draw with Sweden. They drew again, this time 1–1 with Uruguay. As the final match came, Bulgaria fell by a 4–1 score. Bulgaria remained in third place in the group stages.
	===1974 World Cup===
	Four years later, in Germany, Bulgaria would qualify for their fourth-straight World Cup. They were drawn in a group with the Netherlands, Sweden and Uruguay. Bulgaria would start off with Sweden and after 90 minutes the game would remain goalless in a 0–0 draw. Although no goals, Bulgaria were down set from the disallowed goal they scored, that was ruled offside by the side referee. Later on, Bulgaria tied with Uruguay 1–1. Bulgaria remained in contention; all they needed to do was tie against the Netherlands. As the final match came, Bulgaria fell by a 1–4 score. The Netherlands scored all the goals including an own goal for Bulgaria. Bulgaria remained in 3rd place in the group and did not move on to the next round.
	===The 1980s and 1990s===		===1986–2000===
			Bulgaria qualified for the ] in ] by finishing second in Group Four, behind ] with 11 points, but ahead of powerful rivals ] and ]. This was their fifth World Cup appearance. They were drawn in Group A with ], ], and ]. In the opening match of the World Cup, the Bulgarians held the defending champions Italy to an impressive 1–1 draw. ] gave the Italians the lead, but an 85th-minute equalizer by ] gave the Bulgarians the point they needed. The next match was another 1–1 draw against South Korea with the goal for Bulgaria coming from ] in the 11th minute. They lost the final match of the group 2–0 against Argentina, who eventually won the tournament. Despite not recording a win, the Bulgarians advanced to the knockout stage by being the third-best third-placed team. By doing so, Bulgaria along with ] became the first nations to qualify for the knockout stage without winning a game in the first round. In the Round of 16, they faced World Cup hosts ], who were looking for revenge due to their previous home Olympic semi-final loss to Bulgaria in Mexico City in 1968. The match was hard-fought from both sides of the scale but ultimately, Mexico came away with the 2–0 win.
			] Germany in the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup at ].]]
	====1986 World Cup====
	Bulgaria qualified for the ] in ] by finishing second in Group Four, behind ] with 11 points, but worse ], ahead of the teams of ], ], and ]. This was their fifth World Cup appearance. They were drawn in Group A with ], ], and ]. In the opening match of the World Cup, the Bulgarians held the defending champions Italy to a 1–1 draw. ] gave the Italians the lead, but an 85th minute equalizer by ] gave the Bulgarians the point. The next match was another 1–1 draw against South Korea with the goal for Bulgaria coming from ] in the 11th minute. They lost the final match of the group 2–0 against Argentina, who ended up winning the tournament. Despite not recording a win, the Bulgarians advanced to the knockout stage by being the third-best third placed team. That way, Bulgaria and also ] became the first nations to qualify for the knockout stage without winning a game in the first round. In the Round of 16, they faced World Cup hosts Mexico and lost the match 2–0. ] was the manager of the team.
			] won the ], World and European Golden Boots in 1994. He led Bulgaria to the semi-finals of the ], along with leading ] to their first ever ] title in 1992.]]
	====1994 World Cup: Final Four Triumph====
			Certainly one of the most important dates in Bulgarian football history is 17 November 1993, a date on which ] scored a deciding goal in the 90th minute to beat ] in ], allowing Bulgaria to qualify for the World Cup in the United States in ]. Under the management of ], the Bulgarians, led by players such as ], ], and ], along with a multitude of other talented players remembered in Bulgaria as the "]", made a strong impression by surprisingly reaching the semi-finals. They entered a very tough Group D with ] runners-up ] with ] at the helm, African Nations Cup champions ], and Balkan rivals ]. The first match ended with a 3–0 defeat to ]. Despite the bad start, the team made quite a huge statement by winning 4–0 against their ] - their first ever win in a World Cup - and increasing their goal difference. Their third and final match came against Argentina. The powerful Bulgarian side came away with a shocking 2–0 victory. Going into injury-time, Argentina was leading the group. A 91st-minute strike from ], however, meant that they'd drop two places and finish third.
	] of Bulgarian football legend ]. Considered Bulgaria's all-time Greatest Player, Stoichkov led his team to a 1994 World Cup Final Four Finish alongside winning the European Golden Boot.]]
	On 17 November 1993, ] scored two goals to beat ] in ], thus allowing Bulgaria to qualify for the World Cup in the ] in ], and disallowing France to qualify for that tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2008/m=5/news=les-bleus-american-nightmare-761002.html|title=Classic Qualifier: Les Bleus' American nightmare|date=10 September 2015|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Under the management of ], the team led by players such as ], ] and ] was referred to as the "]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/172150/Three+Footballers+from+Bulgaria%E2%80%99s+Golden+Generation+to+Join+Stoichkov%E2%80%99s+Birthday+Show|title=Three Footballers from Bulgaria's Golden Generation to Join Stoichkov's Birthday Show|date=8 December 2015|publisher=]|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> They entered Group D with Argentina, ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/usa1994/groups/index.html#793|title=1994 FIFA World Cup USA: Groups|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Prior to 1994, the Bulgarians had not won a single match in the previous five World Cup finals appearances. The first match ended with a 3–0 defeat by Nigeria in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=337/match=3061/index.html|title=Group D: Nigeria vs. Bulgaria|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Later, the team won 4–0 against World Cup-debuting Greece in ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=337/match=3072/index.html|title=Group D: Bulgaria vs. Greece|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> and 2–0 against Argentina in Dallas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=337/match=3084/index.html|title=Group D: Argentina vs. Bulgaria|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Bulgaria continued to the next round, where they faced Mexico at Giants Stadium just outside ]. The match ended 1–1 and after no goals were scored in extra time, penalties would decide which team would go through. Team captain ] saved two penalty kicks and Bulgaria won 3–1 on penalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=338/match=3092/index.html|title=Round of 16: Mexico vs. Bulgaria|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> In their quarter-final match, again in New York City, Bulgaria faced defending World Cup champions Germany. ] scored in a penalty kick. The Bulgarians, however, managed to turn the game over with two goals by Stoichkov and ], giving them a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=796/match=3096/classic-match/index.html|title=Bulgarian underdogs catch champions off guard|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Millions of Bulgarians celebrated this win in the Bulgarian capital city of ] and other Bulgarian cities. In their semi-final match again in New York, they lost 2–1 to Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=338/match=3092/index.html|title=Semi-finals: Bulgaria vs. Italy|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Bulgaria then traveled across the country and ] to the Pasadena Rose Bowl just outside ] to play Sweden, who did not have to travel because their semi-final match against Brazil had been held in the Rose Bowl.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/usa1994/teams/team=43970/matches.html|title=1994 FIFA World Cup USA -Teams: Sweden|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Sweden beat Bulgaria 4–0, so the team finished the tournament in 4th place.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=3460/match=3103/index.html|title=Match for third place: Sweden vs. Bulgaria|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Stoichkov was awarded the ] (along with Russia's ]) for scoring six goals and finishing as joint top goal scorer of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/usa1994/awards/index.html|title=1994 FIFA World Cup USA: Awards|publisher=FIFA|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> Later in December, Stoitchkov was awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or, becoming the first ever Bulgarian to win it.<ref>{{cite news|last=Molinaro|first=John F.|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/history-of-the-ballon-d-or-1.899151|title=History of the Ballon d'Or|date=5 January 2011|publisher=]|accessdate=26 March 2016}}</ref> ] was named in the all-star team along with Stoichkov.
			Bulgaria continued to the round of 16, where they faced ]. Stoichkov opened the scoring in the sixth minute with an incredible strike off a break away from outside the box, tallying his fourth goal. The match ended 1–1 and after no goals were scored in extra time, penalties decided which team would go through. Team captain ] saved the first three penalty kicks in a row, breaking the World Cup record. Bulgaria won 3–1 on penalties. In the quarter-finals, Bulgaria faced the defending world champions ]. At the start of the match held in ] in ], the Bulgarians dominated impressively, hitting the post twice in the process, but eventually found themselves behind after ] scored the opening goal for the Germans. The Bulgarians, however, managed to turn the game over with a swerving free kick by ] and a flying header by ], giving them a 2–1 win. In the semi-finals, they controversially lost 2–1 to ]. Stoichkov scored Bulgaria's only goal in the first half to tally his seventh goal, which led the tournament. In the second half, Bulgaria were waved off on a non-penalty call in which an Italian defender had clearly committed a handball in the box, off a Kostadinov cross. Instead of playing in the final, it became a third place play-off. Bulgaria lost against ] 4–0, but the fourth-place finish was Bulgaria's best performance in history to that point.
	====European Football Championship 1996====
	In 1996, the team qualified for the ] for the first time, after some good results in the qualifying group, including a stunning 3–2 turnaround win against future ] champions Germany. They were drawn in Group B with France, ] and ]. Bulgaria started with a 1–1 draw against the Spanish. They would score a second with a volley by Stoitchkov. After losing against Spain, Bulgaria went on to a 1–0 win against Romania. Stoitchkov scoring in the third minute adding a second goal to the list. In the final group match, they lost 3–1 against France, Stoitchkov scoring from a free kick to give Bulgaria there only goal of the game. At the same time, Spain defeated Romania 2–1 with the winning goal coming in the 84th minute, and the Bulgarians subsequently failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.
			Hristo Stoichkov was awarded the ] shared with ] as the top scorer in the tournament with his six goals. ] was named in the 1994 World Cup Dream Team along with Stoichkov. Later on in December, Stoichkov was awarded the ] trophy for his great skill and leadership, becoming the first Bulgarian and third Barcelona player to win it in history.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
	====1998 World Cup====
	Bulgaria qualified for the ] in ] by finishing first in the Group 5, followed by ]. They entered the competition with a new manager, ]. Bulgaria drew Spain, Nigeria and ] in Group D. The first match ended in a 0–0 draw against Paraguay. In the second match, the Bulgarians lost 1–0 for a second-straight World Cup to Nigeria. The final match ended with a disappointing 6–1 defeat to Spain, even though two offside goals were ruled out. Following the bad results, Bulgaria finished fourth in the group, with only one point, and didn't go through the next round. This was the last major appearance at World Cup level for Bulgaria.
	{{Main article|1998 FIFA World Cup Group D}}
			In 1996, the team qualified for the ] for the first time. They were drawn in Group B with ], ], and ]. Bulgaria started with a 1–1 draw against the Spain. Stoichkov scored his second goal with a wonderful volley, ruled offside. Bulgaria defeated Romania 1–0 in the next group stage match. Stoichkov scored in the third minute. In the final group match, the Bulgarian side lost 3–1 against France; Stoichkov scored a free kick to give Bulgaria their only goal of the game, along with their only loss. At the same time, Spain defeated Romania 2–1, and Bulgaria were eliminated.
	====2000 Euro Cup qualification====
	Bulgaria was drawn in a tough qualifying group with teams like England, Sweden and ]. The campaign started bad with a draw and a defeat by Poland and Sweden. The most memorable match for Bulgaria in the group was the 1–1 draw against England, which was also the last one for Bulgarian legend ] before his international retirement. Bulgaria finished third with eight points and failed to make the final stages of ].
			Bulgaria qualified for the ] in France by finishing first in Group 5, with decisive wins over ]. They entered the competition with new manager ]. Bulgaria drew ], ], and ] in Group D. The first match ended decently, in a goalless draw against eventual group runners up Paraguay. In the second match, the Bulgarians lost 1–0 for a second-straight World Cup to Nigeria. The final match ended with a 6–1 defeat to Spain. Following the bad results, Bulgaria finished fourth in the group, with only one point. This was the last World Cup appearance for Bulgaria.
	===New millennium===
	]]]
			Bulgaria was drawn in a tough qualifying group with teams ], ], and ]. The campaign started slow with a draw and a defeat by Poland and Sweden. The most memorable match for Bulgaria in the group was the 1–1 draw against England, which was also the last match for Stoichkov before his international retirement. Bulgaria finished fourth with eight points and failed to make the final stages of ].
	====2002 World Cup qualification: Beginning of a drought====
	Bulgaria, ], and ] were among the main contenders for the qualifying spots. This is also the debut of Bulgaria's top scoring player Dimitar Berbatov. Bulgaria won the matches against the weaker teams, but lost 2–0 to Denmark and one match with the Czech Republic. That way, Bulgaria finished third with 17 points and three points behind second-placed Czech Republic, thus failing to make the ] in ] and ].
	====Euro 2004====		===Early 21st century===
			Bulgaria was once again drawn into a tough group with ] and ]. The group was also the debut of Bulgaria's top scoring legend ]. Bulgaria won the matches against the weaker teams, but lost once and drew once with both Denmark and the Czech Republic. Bulgaria finished third with 17 points, three points behind second-placed Czech Republic, thus failing to make the ] in South Korea and Japan.
	Bulgaria managed to qualify for the ] in ] by finishing first in the group ahead of teams like ] and ] with 17 points. They drew Sweden, ] and ] in Group C. They started off with a defeat by Sweden, followed by a 2–0 defeat by Denmark. The last match against Italy was a 2–1 defeat. Near the end of the match, the score was 1–1 after goals from Bulgarian winger ] and ], but a last minute goal by ] gave the Italians the win. They finished fourth with zero points and were sent home without reaching the knockout round.
			Bulgaria managed to qualify for the ] in Portugal by finishing first with wins over ] and ]. They drew ], ], and ] in Group C. All three group stage matches ended up in losses for Bulgaria, with ] being the team's lone scorer in the country's 1–2 loss to Italy.
	====2006 World Cup qualification: Failure====
	Bulgaria failed to qualify for the ] in Germany after a run of poor results. They began with a win over Hungary and "weaker" teams in the group. They tied with Sweden and Croatia the first run but lost the other meetings to the two sides. Although Berbatov scored many key goals in the qualifier including a last minute equaliser against Croatia, Bulgaria finished third in Group Eight, behind Sweden and Croatia with 15 points.
			Bulgaria failed to qualify for the ] in Germany after a run of poor results. They tied with Sweden and Croatia the first run but lost the other meetings to the two sides. Although Berbatov scored many goals in the qualifiers including a last-minute equalizer against Croatia, Bulgaria still finished third in qualifying with 15 points.
	====2006 Kirin Cup====
	Although not making it to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Bulgaria found themselves in a minor tournament in Japan, known as the Kirin Cup, which Bulgaria entered for the first time. They started off well with a 2–1 victory over the hosts Japan. Later, they lost 5–1 to Scotland, the eventual champions of the Kirin Cup. Bulgaria became the Runners Up and received the silver medal.
			Bulgaria found themselves in a minor tournament in Japan known as the ]. They started off well with a 2–1 victory over the hosts ]. However, Bulgaria lost 5–1 to ], the eventual cup champions. Bulgaria finished as the runners-up and received the silver medal.
	====2008 European qualification: Near miss====
	] had ], ], and Bulgaria as the main contestants for a qualifying spot for the ] in ] and ]. Bulgaria performed well after a run of good results from Romania that gave them the first place. Bulgaria would go on to the playoffs but draw the first match 1–1 with a goal by Petrov in the tenth minute and lose the second 2–0. Bulgaria failed to qualify to the competition, finishing with 25 points, after Romania and the Netherlands, with only one lost match against the Dutch.
			] had ], ], and Bulgaria attempting to qualify for ], hosted by Switzerland and Austria. Bulgaria performed well after a run of good results against Romania which gave them the first place. Bulgaria finished third in the group falling short on one point behind the Netherlands.
	====2010 World Cup qualification: Close call====
	]
	Bulgaria were drawn against ] and the ] in qualifying ]. Bulgaria started the campaign with a series of draws in the 2010 qualifiers. The manager ] was replaced by ] in January 2009. The Bulgarians then recorded their first win in the group against ], and also won against ] and ]. They finished in third place in the group with 14 points, therefore failing to qualify directly or for a play-off place. Bulgarian top scorer Berbatov resigned from the national side after this result.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}
			]
	===Era of Decline===
			Bulgaria were drawn against ] and ] in qualifying in ]. Bulgaria started the campaign with a series of draws. Manager ] was replaced by ] in January 2009. The Bulgarians then recorded their first wins of the group over ], ] and ]. They finished in third place with 14 points, therefore failing to qualify to a play-off spot.
			]
	====2012 European qualification====
			Bulgaria were drawn in ] along with ], ], ], and ]. Bulgaria finished in last place in the group.
	]
	Bulgaria were drawn in ] along with England, ], ] and Montenegro. Bulgaria started off horribly with an opening away loss to England. They later on drew level with Switzerland along with defeating Wales and Montenegro. However, Bulgaria finished fifth in their group reaching their nadir in their football history, marking the fourth instance during 2000s that the nation had failed to finish in third (or better).
			In the qualification phase for the ] in Brazil, Bulgaria were placed in Group B together with the teams of ], ], ], ] and ]. Under the guidance of former player ] as head coach, Bulgaria enjoyed a revival and some noteworthy performances in friendly matches before the start of the qualifying, including a 2–1 victory over ] runners-up ] in Amsterdam. The qualifying began with a 2–2 draw against ] runners-up Italy. Bulgaria then edged a tight match against Armenia, which ended 1–0. Next, Bulgaria drew 1–1 against Denmark. Four days later, Bulgaria earned a hard-fought 0–0 draw away to the Czech Republic. As a result, the team climbed from 96th in the ], their lowest position in history, to 40th in November 2012.
	====2014 World Cup Qualification====
	In the qualification phase for the ] Bulgaria were placed in Group B together with the teams of Italy, ], Czech Republic, ] and ]. Under the guidance of former player ] as head coach, Bulgaria enjoyed a 2–1 victory over 2010 World Cup runners-up Netherlands in ]. The qualifications started with a 2–2 draw against the Euro 2012 runners-up Italy. Bulgaria then defeated Armenia, which ended 1–0. Later on Bulgaria drew 1–1 against Denmark. Four days later, Bulgaria earned a 0–0 draw away against the Czech Republic. As a result of these performances, the team climbed from 96th in the FIFA Ranking, their lowest position in history, to 40th in November 2012, earning FIFA best mover of the year. Penev's players hosted and defeated Malta 6–0 under heavy snowfall. Four days later, Bulgaria once again set a draw with Denmark 1–1 in ]. This result left Bulgaria second in the group with ten points and still undefeated. Bulgaria traveled to Italy, a game where they lost 1–0. Further on, the lions secured three more points with a 2–0 away win against ]. After that Bulgaria was defeated by Armenia 2–1 and the Czech Republic 1–0 at home.
			Penev's players hosted and defeated Malta 6–0 under heavy snowfall. Four days later, Bulgaria drew Denmark 1–1 in Copenhagen. This result left Bulgaria second in the group with 10 points, still undefeated. Bulgaria traveled to Italy, losing 1–0. After a series of poor results, Bulgaria ended up failing to qualify for Brazil 2014.
	====2016 Euro Cup Qualification: Continuation of the drought====
	Bulgaria were placed in a group with Italy, Croatia, Norway, Azerbaijan and Malta.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euro-2016.org/qualifying/|title=Euro 2016: Qualifying|website=Euro 2016|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> Bulgaria opened up their first match with a 2–1 victory over Azerbaijan.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line-->|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2013837/postmatch/report/index.html#hristov+header+wins|title=Hristov header delights Bulgaria in Azerbaijan|date=9 September 2014|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> They were defeated 1–0 by Croatia,<ref>{{cite web|last=Georgiev|first=Stoyan|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2013855/postmatch/report/index.html#croatia+ride+their+luck|title=Croatia take full advantage of Bulgaria slip|date=10 October 2014|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> which was followed by a 2–1 defeat to Norway.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tjærnås|first=Jørgen|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2013882/postmatch/report/index.html#norway+beat+bulgaria|title=Ødegaard breaks record as Norway beat Bulgaria|date=13 October 2014|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> Bulgaria then drew with Malta 1–1 at home,<ref>{{cite web|last=Georgiev|first=Stoyan|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2013915/postmatch/report/index.html#bulgaria+held+malta|title=Malta make their mark in Sofia|date=16 November 2014|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> but this cost Head Coach ] his position and he was replaced by former Ludogorets Razgrad Coach Ivaylo Petev.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No by-line-->|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/soccer-petev-returns-bulgaria-coach-national-team-174303835--sow.html|title=Soccer-Petev returns to Bulgaria to coach national team|date=18 December 2014|website=Yahoo! News|agency=]|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> In his debut match in February 2015, Petev's squad drew Romania 0–0 in a friendly,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.com/match?gameId=414369|title=International Friendly: Romania vs. Bulgaria|website=]|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> which was then followed at the end of March by a 2–2 qualifier match draw with Italy, a match which Bulgaria had led till the 84th minute.<ref>{{cite web|last=Georgiev|first=Stovan|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2013935/postmatch/report/index.html#eder+thwarts+bulgaria|title=Italy debutant Éder thwarts Bulgaria|date=28 March 2015|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> In June, Bulgaria defeated Malta 1–0 to move within 2 points of the third place playoff position.<ref>{{cite web|last= Aquilina|first=Domenic|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2013951/postmatch/report/index.html#bulgaria+malta|title=Popov earns points for Bulgaria in Malta|date=12 June 2015|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> They then, however, lost their next three matches against Norway,<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No by-line-->|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2013977/postmatch/report/index.html#norway+beat+bulgaria|title=Norway beat Bulgaria thanks to Forren's first|date=3 September 2015|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> Italy<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); No by-line-->|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2014004/postmatch/report/index.html#italy+inch+closer|title=De Rossi penalty edges Italy closer to finals|date=5 September 2015|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> and Croatia<ref>{{cite web|last=Islamović|first=Elvir|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2014047/postmatch/report/index.html#croatia+beat+bulgaria|title=Croatia defeat Bulgaria in Čačić's first game|date=10 October 2015|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref> before winning their final match 2–0 over Azerbaijan, thus failing to qualify for the finals tournament.<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line-->|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/matches/round=2000446/match=2014071/postmatch/report/index.html#bulgaria+high|title=Bulgaria sign off with Azerbaijan success|date=13 October 2015|website=UEFA|accessdate=11 July 2016}}</ref>.
			Bulgaria were placed in a group with Italy, Croatia, Norway, Azerbaijan, and Malta. Bulgaria opened up their first match with a 2–1 victory over Azerbaijan. They were defeated 1–0 by Croatia, following another 2–1 defeat to Norway. To make it worse, Bulgaria drew with Malta 1–1 at home, which would cost manager ] his position. He was replaced by ] manager ].
	====2018 World Cup qualification====
	{{Main article|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A}}
			On his debut match, Petev's squad drew Romania 0-0; this later led to a 2–2 draw with Italy, which Bulgaria led until a last-minute Italian equalizer. Bulgaria defeated Malta 1–0 to edge two points ever closer to the third place playoff position. After a series of losses, Bulgaria failed to qualify for ] in France despite a 2–0 defeat of Azerbaijan.
	Bulgaria have been drawn in a World Cup qualification group with Netherlands, France and Sweden, Belarus and Luxembourg. Bulgaria has already had a recent meeting with the Netherlands within the year 2013 in which Bulgaria came out on top with a 2–1 victory. Bulgaria has also had a 100 percent record history against Luxembourg while recently defeating Belarus 2–1 in a friendly in 2014. To add to this aspect, the last time Bulgaria was drawn within a world cup qualification group with Sweden and France was in 1994. Bulgaria drew level with Sweden once, and defeated France twice, decisively, to reach the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. where Bulgaria reached its all-time high of going to the Semi-finals. Bulgaria has luckily drawn Luxembourg at home for their first match in September. This will give them the brief opportunity to re-group hoping to earn an early victory. This can lead the team on to starting off their qualifying campaign on a very positive level at the top of the group while building momentum overtime for when the time comes to face the stronger and tougher opponents. In the beginning, Bulgaria earned a hard-fought 4-3 win against Luxembourg at home, a frustrating scoreline despite the victory.<ref></ref> It was followed by two heavy 1-4 and 0-3 losses to France and Sweden, respectively.<ref></ref><ref></ref>
	In November 2016, the Lions secured the three points against Belarus in Sofia with a narrow 1-0 win.<ref></ref> On Matchday 5, the Bulgarian team put up arguably its' best performance in recent years, beating the Netherlands 2-0, thus claiming the 3rd spot in the group.<ref></ref>
			Bulgaria were drawn in a strong World Cup qualification group with the ], ], ], ] and ]. They began with a 4–3 win against Luxembourg at home.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017630/index.html|title=Bulgaria-Luxembourg - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-date=15 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615125857/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017630/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by heavy losses to France (4–1) and Sweden (3–0).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017623/index.html|title=France-Bulgaria - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-date=9 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909120429/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season%3D2018/matches/round%3D2000717/match%3D2017623/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017626/index.html|title=Sweden-Bulgaria - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402193138/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017626/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
	On Thursday the 31st of August, 2017 Bulgaria pulled off another famous shock result defeating 1st place Sweden who had recently defeated heavy favourites France, 3-2 in Sofia. This result sent Bulgaria to 3rd place, 1 point below now second-placed Sweden and put them in a really good position to claim a play-off place which could assure them a ticket for Russia 2018.<ref></ref> However, the Lions lost the key match against the Netherlands at ] by the scoreline of 1-3, thus falling back to 4th place and possibly putting an end to their hopes of qualifying, as now Bulgaria is 4 points away from second-placed Sweden and 5 behind leaders France, before the last two matchdays.<ref></ref>
			In November 2016, the Lions beat Belarus in Sofia 1–0,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017629/index.html|title=Bulgaria-Belarus - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402091437/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017629/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and then put up one of their best performances in recent years, beating the Netherlands 2–0 to move into third place in the group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017635/index.html|title=Bulgaria-Netherlands - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-date=17 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617195139/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017635/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Bulgaria then beat the group leaders Sweden 3–2 in Sofia to move one point behind their opponents in the table.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017637/index.html|title=Bulgaria-Sweden - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612163631/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017637/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, they lost the match against the Netherlands at the ] 3–1. A 1–0 defeat at home to France and a 1–1 draw in Luxembourg ended their chances of qualifying.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017619/index.html|title=Netherlands-Bulgaria - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=22 July 2019|archive-date=15 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615085819/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2018/matches/round=2000717/match=2017619/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
	=====Standings=====
	{{2018 FIFA World Cup qualification&nbsp;– UEFA Group A table |show_matches=yes}}
			===2018–present===
			Bulgaria were drawn in ] with Norway, Slovenia and Cyprus. Bulgaria opened up the campaign with a 2–1 win over Slovenia and a clean sheet against Norway. The Norwegians eventually avenged their loss to Bulgaria, resulting in a tie for first place. Bulgaria eventually closed out the second round of games with two 1–1 draws against Slovenia and Cyprus, resulting in a second-place finish.
			Bulgaria was drawn in Group A with England, Czech Republic, Montenegro and ]. The team began the qualifying campaign with a 1–1 home draw against Montenegro and a 1–1 away draw to Kosovo while losing three major players due to injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2020/matches/round=2001086/match=2026026/index.html|title=Bulgaria-Montenegro - European Qualifiers|website=UEFA.com|access-date=4 December 2018|archive-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203171304/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2020/matches/round=2001086/match=2026026/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They later carried on with two more losses which sparked the end of their group campaign. Despite finishing in fourth place, the national side had one more opportunity to qualify for the ] thanks to the good performance in the Nations League. It sent Bulgaria to the Path A ], which also included Hungary, Iceland and Romania.
			The draw put Bulgaria against Hungary in their first play-off match on their quest to qualify for a major competition since 2004. However, in front of limited number of home fans, Bulgaria fell 1–3 to Hungary, and was eliminated from the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bulgaria-Hungary - Euro 2020 Qualifying Play-off Semi-final|url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2028565--bulgaria-vs-hungary/?iv=true|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005002031/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2028565--bulgaria-vs-hungary/?iv=true|url-status=live}}</ref>
			After appointing ] as their new head coach, Bulgaria began their brief promotion in ]. Being drawn into Group 4 with Wales, Finland and Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria played its first match against Ireland. A near victory for the Bulgarians until a 90th minute injury time equalizer sealed the draw for the Irish.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bulgaria-Republic of Ireland - 2020-21 Nations League B|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2029975/|access-date=3 September 2020|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921105247/https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2029975/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bulgaria would then play away to Wales, where they held the hosts leveled 0–0 until another 90th minute injury time goal that resulted in 0–1 loss. The problems would continue with another set of narrow losses to Finland and Wales, forcing Bulgaria to miss out on promotion to League A. With two more matches left, Bulgaria finished winless against Finland and Ireland, relegating the Lions to League C.
			] was hired as the coach prior to the qualifiers for the ]. Bulgaria began the campaign horribly, losing at home 1–3 to Switzerland and 0–2 to Italy. The team somewhat improved in the next two games, drawing away at Northern Ireland and Italy, the reigning European champions. Bulgaria then beat Lithuania 1–0 at home, but lost 1–3 away against the same team, ending their hopes for qualification. A 2–1 home win against Northern Ireland was only a brief moment of rejoice before a heavy 0–4 defeat to Switzerland ended a largely miserable attempt for qualifying.
			Bulgaria was allocated to League C for the League of Nations season, after relegation from the previous edition. Bulgaria's opponents were drawn to be North Macedonia, Georgia and Gibraltar. The campaign began with a 1–1 draw against North Macedonia at home, followed by a heavy 2–5 loss against Georgia at home. Yasen Petrov handed his resignation following the game. ] was appointed as interim manager for the next two games against Gibraltar and Georgia. Another shameful performance followed, when the Lions drew 1–1 in Gibraltar, which was one of only few times that the Gibraltar national team had not lost a competitive game in its history. In Georgia, Bulgaria drew 0–0, extending the winless streak to four games. During the one month pause of the tournament, Serbian ] was appointed as manager. Under his reins, Bulgaria recorded two wins against Gibraltar at home and North Macedonia away, eventually finishing second in the group. The game against North Macedonia was particularly intense, due to rising political tensions between the two countries at that time. The Bulgarian national anthem was heavily booed, followed by multiple provocations from both Macedonian fans and players aimed at the Bulgarian team.
	==Team image==		==Team image==
			Bulgaria's traditional colours are white, green and red, taken from the colours of the ]. This tricolour is reflected through the use of white shirts, green shorts, and red socks. The team's away kits have usually been red.
			Their nickname is The Lions, in tribute of the lions represented in the ].
			{{col-begin}}
			{{col-2}}
	===Colours===		===Colours===
			{{multiple image|align=left|total_width=350
	]n ] Flag]]
			|image1 = Flag of Bulgaria.svg
	Traditionally the Bulgarian squad plays at home entirely in the colours of the Bulgarian ]. Their ] is The Lions, in tribute of the lions represented in the Bulgarian coat of arms.
			|caption1 = Bulgarian ] ]
			|image2 = Coat of arms of Bulgaria.svg
			|caption2 = ] of ]
			}}
			{{col-2}}
	====Kit suppliers====		===Kit sponsorship===
	{| class="wikitable"		{| class="wikitable"
	|-		|-
	|- style="color:white;"		|-style="color:white;"
	! style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|Kit Provider		!style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|Supplier
	! style="width:80px; background:#00966E;"|Period		!style="width:80px; background:#00966E;"|Period
	|-		|-
	|{{flagicon|BUL}} Tomy Sport		|{{flagicon|GER}} ]
			|1974–1994
	| 1922–1988
	|-		|-
	| {{flagicon|GER}} ]		|{{flagicon|GER}} ]
			|1995–2010
	| 1988–1996
	|-		|-
	| {{flagicon|GER}} ]		|{{flagicon|ITA}} ]
			|2011–2014
	| 1996–2010
	|-		|-
	| {{flagicon|ITA}} ]		|{{flagicon|ESP}} ]
			|2015–2022
	| 2010–2014
	|-		|-
	| {{flagicon|SPA}} ]		|{{flagicon|ITA}} ]
			|2023–
	| 2014–
	|}		|}
			{{col-end}}
	====Historical Kits====		===Ultras and controversy===
			{{see also|Racism in association football}}
	Throughout the football nation's sartorial history, the outfield players wore equipment with the following color patterns of white, green or red signifying the Bulgarian flag.
			In recent years, ] of the Bulgarian team have developed a reputation for racism. After racist ] and monkey noises directed at ], ] and ] during a qualifier for Euro 2012, the Bulgarian Football Union was fined €40,000 by UEFA.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/18/bulgaria-fined-racist-chanting-england|title=Bulgaria fined by Uefa after racist chanting against England|date=18 November 2011|access-date=15 October 2019|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Dominic|last=Fifield|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015080334/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/nov/18/bulgaria-fined-racist-chanting-england|url-status=live}}</ref> The BFU denied that racism would be an issue during Euro 2020 qualifiers, claiming that the issue was worse in England.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/13/krasimir-balakov-bulgaria-gareth-southgate-england-euro-2020-qualifier|title=Bulgaria's Krasimir Balakov says English game has more of an issue with racism|first=Ed|last=Aarons|date=13 October 2019|access-date=15 October 2019|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015063400/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/oct/13/krasimir-balakov-bulgaria-gareth-southgate-england-euro-2020-qualifier|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, Bulgarian ultras were accused of racist chants during their matches against Czech Republic, Kosovo and England. As a result, part of the Bulgarian stadium was closed off for the match against England (October 2019), and officials twice halted the game under the UEFA anti-racism protocol.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50048932|title=Bulgaria v England: Euro 2020 qualifier halted twice due to racist behaviour from fans|date=15 October 2019|access-date=15 October 2019|website=BBC News|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015001917/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50048932|url-status=live}}</ref> In the following days since the match took place, Bulgarian police identified 15 fans they suspected were responsible for subjecting black English players including ], ] and ] to racist abuse, arresting six of them.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50066016|title=Bulgaria v England: Police arrest six following racist abuse at Euro qualifier|date=2019-10-16|access-date=2019-10-17|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025083618/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50066016|url-status=live}}</ref>
	{|border=0 align=center |
	| colspan="20" style="text-align:center; color:white; background:#00966E;"|'''Home Kits''' ||
			UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin condemned the alleged abuse calling on the "football family and governments" to "wage war on the racists".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50059719|title=Bulgaria v England: 'Football family' must 'wage war on the racists' says Uefa president|date=2019-10-15|access-date=2019-10-17|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025132249/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50059719|url-status=live}}</ref> Disciplinary proceedings have been launched against both Bulgaria and England.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50059719|title=Bulgaria v England: 'Football family' must 'wage war on the racists' says Uefa president|date=2019-10-15|access-date=2019-10-17|language=en-GB|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025132249/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50059719|url-status=live}}</ref>
	|}
	{|
			==Home stadium==
	||
			Traditionally, the Bulgaria national football team's home stadium is the ] with a capacity of 44,000. The stadium was officially opened in 1953 and reconstructed in 1966 and 2002. It is the second largest stadium in Bulgaria, behind the ] with a capacity of 55,000. During the ], the stadium was used for ] matches with ], ], and ]. Similarly, ] used it as their main home venue for their European matches until the ]. The Bulgaria national team's home matches, Bulgarian Cup finals and the ] are held at the venue, as well as athletics competitions.
	{{Football kit
	| pattern_la =
			The ] in ] has been occasionally hosting the national team's matches since 2018. Opened in 1954 and renovated in 2011, the stadium has a capacity of 10,422.
	| pattern_b =
	| pattern_ra =
			Recently, the national team relocated to the freshly renovated ] in ], with a capacity of 18,777.
	| pattern_sh =
			<gallery mode="packed">
	| pattern_so =
			File:Vasil Levski National Stadium 2022.jpg|Vasil Levski National Stadium
	| leftarm = 008000
			File:Kolezha.jpg|Hristo Botev Stadium
	| body = 008000
			</gallery>
	| rightarm = 008000
	| shorts = FFFFFF
			==Results and fixtures==
	| socks = 008000
			{{main|Bulgaria national football team results (2020–present)}}
	| title= 1922–1950
			The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
			{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
			{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
			{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
			{{legend2|#FFFFFF|Fixture|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
			===2024===
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
			|round = ]
			|date = 22 March
			|time = {{UTZ|15:00|4}}
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|TAN}}
			|score = 0–1
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
			|report = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/22/world/friendlies/bulgaria/tanzania/4310902/
			|goals1 =
			|goals2 =
			* ] {{goal|52}}
			|stadium = ]
			|location = ], Azerbaijan
			|attendance = 154
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = W
	}}		}}
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
	|
			|round = ]
	{{Football kit
			|date = 25 March
	|leftarm=008000
			|time = {{UTZ|18:00|4}}
	|pattern_la=_shoulder_stripes_green_stripes_full
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|AZE}}
	|body=FFFFF
			|score = 1–1
	|pattern_b=_shoulder_stripes_green_stripes
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|rightarm=008000
			|report = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/25/world/friendlies/azerbaijan/bulgaria/4310919/
	|pattern_ra=_shoulder_stripes_green_stripes_full
			|goals1 =
	|shorts=FFFFFF
			* ] {{goal|87}}
	|pattern_sh=_green stripes
			|goals2 =
	|socks=008000
			* ] {{goal|59}}
	|pattern_so=_3_stripes_white
			|stadium = ]
	|title=1950–1985
			|location = ], Azerbaijan
			|attendance = 3,220
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = D
	}}		}}
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
	|
			|round = ]
	{{Football kit
			|date = 4 June
	| pattern_b =
			|time = {{UTZ|21:30|3}}
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|ROU}}
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|score = 0–0
	| pattern_sh =
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	| pattern_so =
			|report = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/04/world/friendlies/romania/bulgaria/4299114/
	|leftarm = ffffff
			|goals1 =
	|body = ffffff
			|goals2 =
	|rightarm = ffffff
			|stadium = ]
	|shorts = 008000
			|location = ], Romania
	|socks = ff0000
			|attendance = 19,024
	| title= 1985–1993
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = D
	}}		}}
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
	|
			|round = ]
	{{Football kit
			|date = 8 June
	| pattern_b = _bul94
			|time = {{UTZ|15:00|2}}
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|SVN}}
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|score = 1–1
	| pattern_sh = _bul94
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	| pattern_so = _adidas_thick_stripes_white
			|report = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/06/08/world/friendlies/slovenia/bulgaria/4315099/
	| leftarm = FFFFFF
			|goals1 =
	| body = FFFFFF
			* ] {{goal|14}}
	| rightarm = FFFFFF
			|goals2 =
	| shorts = 008000
			* ] {{goal|4|pen.}}
	| socks = 008000
			|stadium = ]
	| title = 1993–1995
			|location = ], Slovenia
			|attendance = 11,037
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = D
	}}		}}
	|{{Football kit		{{Football box collapsible|format=1
			|round = ]
	| pattern_la = _bulgaria96
			|date = 5 September
	| pattern_b = _bulgaria96
			|time = {{UTZ|20:45|2}}
	| pattern_ra = _bulgaria96
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BLR}}
	| pattern_sh =_bulgaria1996
			|score = 0–0
	|pattern_so=_3_stripes_white
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	| leftarm = FFFFFF
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040050/
	| body = FFFFFF
			|goals1 =
	| rightarm = FFFFFF
			|goals2 =
	| shorts = 008000
			|stadium = ]
	| socks = 008000
			|location = ], Hungary{{refn|group=note|name=BLR|Due to the ] in the ], Belarus are required to play their home matches at neutral venues, and ], until further notice.<ref name="ExCo">{{cite news |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/mediaservices/mediareleases/news/0273-1493944bb9c8-f5773a44dabd-1000/ |title=Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions |work=UEFA.com |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=3 March 2022 |access-date=3 March 2022}}</ref>}}
	| title = 1995–1998
			|attendance = 0 <small>(])</small>{{refn|group=note|name=BLR}}
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = D
	}}		}}
	|{{Football kit		{{Football box collapsible|format=1
			|round = ]
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|date = 8 September
	| pattern_b = _bul98h
			|time = {{UTZ|19:00|3}}
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	| pattern_sh =
			|score = 1–0
	| pattern_so =
			|team2 = {{fb|NIR}}
	| leftarm = FFFFFF
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040070/
	| body = FFFFFF
			|goals1 =
	| rightarm = FFFFFF
			*] {{goal|40}}
	| shorts = 008000
			|goals2 =
	| socks = 008000
			|stadium = ]
	| title = 1998–2000
			|location = ], Bulgaria
			|attendance = 14,300
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = W
	}}		}}
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
	||
			|round = ]
	{{Football kit
			|date = 12 October
	| pattern_ra = _redborder
			|time = {{UTZ|19:00|3}}
	| pattern_la = _redborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	|pattern_b= _bulh06
			|score = 0–0
	|pattern_so=_2_stripes_white
			|team2 = {{fb|LUX}}
	|leftarm=008000
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040114/
	|body=008000
			|goals1 =
	|rightarm=008000
			|goals2 =
	|shorts=FF0000
			|stadium = ]
	|socks=008000
			|location = ], Bulgaria
	|title=2004–2007
			|attendance = 15,800
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = D
	}}		}}
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
	||
			|round = ]
	{{Football kit
			|date = 15 October
	|pattern_la=_bulgaria_10
			|time = {{UTZ|19:45|1}}
	|pattern_b=_bulgaria_10
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|NIR}}
	|pattern_ra=_bulgaria_10
			|score = 5–0
	|pattern_sh=_white stripes
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|pattern_so=_bulgaria_010
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040139/
	|leftarm=FFFFFF
			|goals1 =
	|body=FFFFFF
			*] {{goal|15||29||81}}
	|rightarm=FFFFFF
			*] {{goal|32|o.g.}}
	|shorts=2E8B57
			*] {{goal|89}}
	|socks=FFFFFF
			|goals2 =
	|title=2007–2009
			|stadium = ]
			|location = ], Northern Ireland
			|attendance = 17,891
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = L
	}}		}}
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
	|
			|round = ]
	{{Football kit
			|date = 15 November
	|pattern_la=_rus12a
			|time = {{UTZ|20:45|1}}
	|pattern_b=_adidasonwhite
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|LUX}}
	|pattern_ra=_rus12a
			|score = 0–1
	|pattern_sh=_adidaswhite
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|pattern_so=_3_stripes_white
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040156/
	|leftarm=FFFFFF
			|goals1 =
	|body=FF0000
			|goals2 =
	|rightarm=FFFFFF
			*] {{goal|23}}
	|shorts=008000
			|stadium = ]
	|socks=FF0000
			|location = ], Luxembourg
	|title= 2009–2011
			|attendance = 8,307
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = W
	}}		}}
			{{Football box collapsible|format=1
	||
			|round = ]
	{{Football kit
			|date = 18 November
	|pattern_la=_bul10h
			|time = {{UTZ|21:45|2}}
	|pattern_b=_bul10h
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	|pattern_ra=_bul10h
			|score = 1–1
	|pattern_sh=_bul10h
			|team2 = {{fb|BLR}}
	|pattern_so=_bul10h
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040188/
	|leftarm=FFFFFF
			|goals1 =
	|body=FFFFFF
			*] {{goal|12}}
	|rightarm=FFFFFF
			|goals2 =
	|shorts=008000
			*] {{goal|70}}
	|socks=FF0000
			|stadium = ]
	|title=2011–2012
			|location = ], Bulgaria
			|attendance = 2,200
			|referee = ] (])
			|result = D
	}}		}}
	|
	{{Football kit
	|pattern_la=_bursaspor0809a
	|pattern_b=
	|pattern_ra=_bursaspor0809a
	|pattern_sh=_bursaspor0809t
	|pattern_so=
	|leftarm=FFFFFF
	|body=FFFFFF
	|rightarm=FFFFFF
	|shorts=008000
	|socks=FF0000
	|title= 2012–2014
	}}
	|}
			===2025===
	{|border=0 align=center |
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	| colspan="5" style="text-align:center; color:white; background:#ff0000;"|'''Away Kits'''||
			|date = 20 March
	|}
			|time = {{UTZ|21:45|2}}
	{|
			|round = ]
	|
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	{{Football kit
			|score =
	| pattern_la =
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2043041/
	| pattern_b =
			|team2 = {{fb|IRL}}
	| pattern_ra =
			|goals1 =
	| pattern_sh =
			|goals2 =
	| pattern_so =
			|stadium = ]
	| leftarm = ff0000
	| body = ff0000		|location = ], Bulgaria
			|attendance =
	| rightarm = ff0000
	| shorts = FFFFFF		|referee =
	| socks = ff0000		|result =
	| title= 1922–1950
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	|
			|date = 23 March
	{{Football kit
			|time = {{UTZ|19:45|0}}
	|leftarm=FF0000
			|round = ]
	|pattern_la=_shoulder_stripes_red_stripes_half
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|IRL}}
	|body=FFFFF
			|score =
	|pattern_b=_shoulder_stripes_red_stripes
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2043049/
	|rightarm=FF0000
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|pattern_ra=_shoulder_stripes_red_stripes_half
			|goals1 =
	|shorts=FFFFFF
			|goals2 =
	|pattern_sh=_red stripes
			|stadium = ]
	|socks=FF0000
			|location = ], Republic of Ireland
	|pattern_so=_3_stripes_white
			|attendance =
	|title=1950–1985
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	|
			|date = 6–7 June 2025
	{{Football kit
			|time =
	| pattern_b =
			|round = ]
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|score =
	| pattern_sh =
			|report =
	| pattern_so =
	| leftarm = FF0000		|team2 = TBC
	| body = FF0000		|goals1 =
	| rightarm = FF0000		|goals2 =
	| shorts = 008000		|stadium =
	| socks = FF0000		|location =
			|attendance =
	| title= 1985–1993
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	|
			|date = 9–10 June 2025
	{{Football kit
			|time =
	| pattern_b = _bul94_away
			|round = ]
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|score =
	| pattern_sh = _bul94_away
			|report =
	| pattern_so = _adidas_thick_stripes_white
	| leftarm = FF0000		|team2 = TBC
	| body = FF0000		|goals1 =
			|goals2 =
	| rightarm = FF0000
	| shorts = FFFFFF		|stadium =
	| socks = FF0000		|location =
			|attendance =
	| title= 1993–1995
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	|{{Football kit
			|date = 4 September
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|time = {{UTZ|21:45|3}}
	| pattern_b = _bul98a
			|round = ]
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	| pattern_sh =
			|score =
	|pattern_so=_3_stripes_white
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044212/
	| leftarm = FF0000
	| body = FF0000		|team2 = {{fb|ESP}} or {{fb|NED}}
			|goals1 =
	| rightarm = FF0000
	| shorts = FF0000		|goals2 =
	| socks = FF0000		|stadium =
	| title = 1995–1998		|location = Bulgaria
			|attendance =
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	|{{Football kit
			|date = 7 September
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|time = {{UTZ|17:00|4}}
	| pattern_b = _bul98a
			|round = ]
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|GEO}}
	| pattern_sh =
			|score =
	| pattern_so =
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044237/
	| leftarm = FF0000
	| body = FF0000		|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
			|goals1 =
	| rightarm = FF0000
	| shorts = 008000		|goals2 =
	| socks = FF0000		|stadium =
	| title = 1998–2000		|location = Georgia
			|attendance =
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	||
			|date = 11 October
	{{Football kit
			|time = {{UTZ|21:45|3}}
	| pattern_ra = _greenborder
			|round = ]
	| pattern_la = _greenborder
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	| pattern_b= _bulh06
			|score =
	|pattern_so=_2_stripes_white
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044276/
	| leftarm=FF0000
			|team2 = {{fb|TUR}}
	|body=FF0000
			|goals1 =
	|rightarm=FF0000
			|goals2 =
	|shorts=008000
			|stadium =
	|socks= FF0000
			|location = Bulgaria
	| title= 2004–2007
			|attendance =
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	||
			|date = 14 October
	{{Football kit
			|time = {{UTZ|20:45|2}}
	| pattern_la=_bulgaria_10_g
			|round = ]
	|pattern_b=_bulgaria_10_g
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|ESP}} or {{fb-rt|NED}}
	|pattern_ra=_bulgaria_10_g|
			|score =
	|pattern_so=_bulgaria_010_g|
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044299/
	| leftarm=FF0000
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|body=FF0000
			|goals1 =
	|rightarm=FF0000
			|goals2 =
	|shorts=2E8B57
			|stadium =
	|socks=FF0000|
			|location = ''TBD''
	| title= 2007–2009
			|attendance =
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	||
			|date = 15 November
	{{Football kit
			|time = {{UTZ|20:00|3}}
	|pattern_a=_peter1011a
			|round = ]
	|pattern_b=_adidaswhite
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|TUR}}
	|pattern_ra=_peter1011a
			|score =
	|pattern_sh=_adidaswhite
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044322/
	|pattern_so=_3_stripes_red
			|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|leftarm=FF0000
			|goals1 =
	|body=FF0000
			|goals2 =
	|rightarm=FF0000
			|stadium =
	|shorts=008000
			|location = Turkey
	|socks=FFFFFF
			|attendance =
	| title= 2009–2011
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
			{{football box collapsible|format=1
	||
			|date = 18 November
	{{Football kit
			|time = {{UTZ|21:45|2}}
	| pattern_la=_bul10a
			|round = ]
	|pattern_b=_bul10a
			|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	|pattern_ra=_bul10a|
			|score =
	|pattern_sh=_bul10a|
			|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044349/
	|pattern_so=_gyori1011h|
			|team2 = {{fb|GEO}}
	| leftarm=FF0000
			|goals1 =
	|body=FF0000
			|goals2 =
	|rightarm=FF0000
			|stadium =
	|shorts=FFFFFF
			|location = Bulgaria
	|socks=008000|
			|attendance =
	| title= 2011–2012
			|referee =
			|result =
	}}		}}
	||
	{{Football kit
	|pattern_la=_kappa_white
	|pattern_b=
	|pattern_ra=_kappa_white
	|pattern_sh=_bursaspor0809h
	|pattern_so=
	|leftarm=FF0000
	|body=FF0000
	|rightarm=FF0000
	|shorts=FFFFFF
	|socks=008000
	| title= 2012–2014
	}}
	|}
	==National Stadium==		==Coaching staff==
			{| class="wikitable"
	]
	Normally, the Bulgarian national football team's home stadium is the ] with a capacity of 45,000. Vasil Levski was officially opened in 1953 and reconstructed in 1966 and 2002. It is currently eligible to host ] final matches. It is the second largest stadium in Bulgaria just behind the Plovdiv Stadium with a capacity 55,000. During the ], the stadium was used for the games of ] with ], ], and ]. It was also given three stars for its excellence in art construction of the stadium. The Bulgarian national football team's home matches and the Bulgarian Cup finals are held at the venue, as well as athletics competitions. The stadium also offers ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] halls, as well as a general physical training hall, two conference halls, and three restaurants.
	==Competition History==
	{{colorbox|gold}} '''Champions'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{colorbox|silver}} '''Runners-Up'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{colorbox|#cc9966}} '''Semi-Finals'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{colorbox|#CCFFCC}} '''Other Top Results'''&nbsp;&nbsp;
	===World Cup Record===
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center;"
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="background:#00966E;" colspan=9|FIFA World Cup Record
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|Year
	! style="width:150px; background:#00966E;"|Result
	! style="width:60px; background:#00966E;"|Position
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
	|-
	|]-]
	|colspan=8|Years of International Wilderness
	|-
	|{{flagicon|Chile}} ]||Group Stage||13th||3||0||1||2||1||7
	|-
	|{{flagicon|England}} ]||Group Stage||12th||3||0||0||3||1||8
	|-
	|{{flagicon|Mexico}} ]||Group Stage||12th||3||0||1||2||5||9
	|-
	|{{flagicon|West Germany}} ]||Group Stage||11th||3||0||2||1||2||5
	|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
	|{{flagicon|Mexico}} ]||'''Round of 16'''||10th||4||0||2||2||2||6
	|-bgcolor=cc9966
	|{{flagicon|USA}} ]||'''Semi-Finals''' ||4th||7||5||0||2||12||7
	|-
	|{{flagicon|France}} ]||Group Stage||22nd||3||0||1||2||1||7
	|-
	|{{flagicon|Russia}} ]
	|colspan=8|To Be Determined
	|-
	|{{flagicon|Qatar}} ]
	|colspan=8|To Be Determined
	|-
	|-style="color:white;"		|-style="color:white;"
	!style="background:#00966E;"|Total		!style="background:#00966E;"|Role
	!style="background:#00966E;"|		!style="background:#00966E;" |Name
	!style="background:#00966E;"|7/22
	!style="background:#00966E;"|26
	!style="background:#00966E;"|5
	!style="background:#00966E;"|7
	!style="background:#00966E;"|15
	!style="background:#00966E;"|20
	!style="background:#00966E;"|53
	|}
	===European Championship Record===
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center;"
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="background:#00966E;" colspan=9|UEFA Euro Cup Record
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|Year
	! style="width:150px; background:#00966E;"|Result
	! style="width:60px; background:#00966E;"|Position
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
	|-		|-
			|Head Coach
	|{{flagicon|England}} ]
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
	|Group Stage
	|9th
	|3
	|1
	|1
	|1
	|3
	|4
	|-		|-
			|Assistant Coach
	|{{flagicon|Portugal}} ]
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
	|Group Stage
	|14th
	|3
	|0
	|0
	|3
	|1
	|9
	|-		|-
			|Assistant Coach
	|{{flagicon|Europe}} ]
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
	|colspan=8|To Be Determined
	|-		|-
			|Goalkeeping Coach
	|-style="color:white;"
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
	!style="background:#00966E;"|Total
	!style="background:#00966E;"|
	!style="background:#00966E;"|3/14
	!style="background:#00966E;"|10
	!style="background:#00966E;"|5
	!style="background:#00966E;"|1
	!style="background:#00966E;"|5
	!style="background:#00966E;"|16
	!style="background:#00966E;"|19
	|}
	===Olympic Record===
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center;"
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="background:#00966E;" colspan=9| Olympic Record
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|Year
	! style="width:150px; background:#00966E;"|Result
	! style="width:60px; background:#00966E;"|Position
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
	|-		|-
			|Analyst
	|{{flagicon|France}} ]||Round of 16||12th||1||0||0||1||0||1
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Atanas Ribarski
	|-		|-
			|Fitness Coach
	||{{flagicon|Finland}} ]||Round of 16||13th||1||0||0||1||1||2
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Yasen Lyubenov
	|- bgcolor=#cc9966
	|{{flagicon|Australia}} ]||''' {{OG3||size=21px}} Semi-Finals'''||3rd||3||2||0||1||10||3
	|- bgcolor=#CCFFCC
	|{{flagicon|Italy}} ]||'''Group Stage'''||8th||3||2||1||0||8||3
	|- bgcolor=silver
	|{{flagicon|Mexico}} ]||''' {{OG2||size=21px}} Runners-Up''' ||2nd||6||3||2||1||16||10
	|-		|-
			|Recovery Coach
	|{{flagicon|Japan}} ]
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Nikola Izpoldzhiyski
	|colspan=8|To Be Determined
	|-		|-
			|GPS Analyst
	|-style="color:white;"
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Alex Mihalev
	!style="background:#00966E;"|Total
	!style="background:#00966E;"|
	!style="background:#00966E;"|5/23
	!style="background:#00966E;"|14
	!style="background:#00966E;"|7
	!style="background:#00966E;"|3
	!style="background:#00966E;"|4
	!style="background:#00966E;"|35
	!style="background:#00966E;"|19
	|}
	=== Balkan Cup Record ===
	{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center;"
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="background:#00966E;" colspan=9|Balkan Cup Record
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|Year
	! style="width:150px; background:#00966E;"|Result
	! style="width:60px; background:#00966E;"|Position
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
	|-		|-
			|Doctor
	|{{flagicon|Romania}} 1930 ||Group Stage ||4th||6||2||0||4||10||19
			|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Zdravko Taralov
	|- bgcolor=Gold
	|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} 1931 ||'''] Champions''' ||1st||2||2||0||0||8||3
	|- bgcolor=Gold
	|{{flagicon|Yugoslavia}} 1932 ||'''] Champions''' ||1st||3||3||0||0||7||2
	|- bgcolor=#cc9966
	|{{flagicon|Romania}} 1933 ||'''] Semi-Finals''' ||3rd||3||1||0||2||2||11
	|-		|-
	|{{flagicon|Greece}} 1934 ||Group Stage ||4th||3||1||0||2||7||8
	|- bgcolor=Silver
	|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} 1935 ||'''] Runners-Up''' ||2nd||3||2||1||0||12||5
	|- bgcolor=Silver
	|{{flagicon|Romania}} 1936 ||'''] Runners-Up''' ||2nd||2||1||0||2||6||8
	|-
	|{{flagicon|Albania}} 1946 ||Group Stage ||4th||2||0||1||2||4||7
	|-
	|{{flagicon|Hungary}} 1947 ||Group Stage ||4th||4||1||0||3||5||14
	|-
	|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} 1948 ||Group Stage ||4th||5||2||1||2||6||7
	|- bgcolor=Gold
	|{{flagicon|Romania}} 1976 ||'''] Champions''' ||1st||4||2||0||2||9||9
	|- bgcolor=#cc9966
	|{{flagicon|Turkey}} 1980 ||'''] Semi-Finals''' ||3rd||4||1||1||2||4||6
	|-
	|-style="color:white;"
	!style="background:#00966E;"|Total
	!style="background:#00966E;"|
	!style="background:#00966E;"|12/12
	!style="background:#00966E;"|41
	!style="background:#00966E;"|19
	!style="background:#00966E;"|4
	!style="background:#00966E;"|19
	!style="background:#00966E;"|80
	!style="background:#00966E;"|99
	|}		|}
			===Coaching history===
	==Honours==
			{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
			*{{flagicon|Austria}} ] (1922–1924)
			*{{flagicon|Austria}} ] (1925–1926)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Pavel Grozdanov (1927–1930)
			*{{flagicon|Hungary|1920}} ] (1930–1931)
			*{{flagicon|Germany|1919}} Otto Feist (1931–1932)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Pavel Grozdanov (1932–1933)
			*{{flagicon|Hungary|1920}} ] (1934–1935)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Nikola Kalkandzhiev (1935–1936)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Ivan Batandzhiev (1936)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Geno Mateev (1936–1937)
			*{{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} Stanislav Toms (1937–1938)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Kostantin Maznikov (1938–1939)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (1939–1940)
			*{{flagicon|Austria|1938}} ] (1940–1941)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (1941–1942)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Ivan Batandzhiev (1943–1945)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Todor Konov (1945–1946)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1947}} Mihail Manov (1947)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1947}} ] (1947)
			*{{flagicon|Hungary|1946}} ] (1947–1948)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} Lubomir Angelov (1948)
			*{{flagicon|Hungary|1946}} Andor Hajdú (1948–1949)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} ] (1950)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} Lubomir Angelov (1950)
			*{{flagicon|Hungary|1949}} Andor Hajdú (1950)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} Lubomir Angelov (1950–1953)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} ] (1950–1953)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} ] (1954–1960)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} ] (1955–1962)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1948}} ] (1963)
			*{{flagicon|Hungary}} ] (1963–1965)
			*{{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} ] (1965–1966)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1967}} ] (1966–1967)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1967}} ] (1967–1970)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} ] (1970–1972)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} ] (1972–1974)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} ] (1974–1977)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} Tsvetan Ilchev (1978–1980)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} Atanas Purzhelov (1980–1982)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} ] (1982–1986)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} ] (1986–1987)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria|1971}} Boris Angelov (1988–1989)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (1989–1991)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (1991–1996)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (1996–1998)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (1998–1999)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2000–2001)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2002–2004)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2004–2007)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2007)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2007)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2007–2008)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2009–2010)
			*{{flagicon|Germany}} ] (2010–2011)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Mihail Madanski (2011)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2011–2014)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2015–2016)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2016–2019)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2019)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2019–2020)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2021–2022)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2022)
			*{{flagicon|Serbia}} ] (2022–2023)
			*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] (2023–present)
			{{div col end}}
			==Players==
	{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
			===Current squad===
	|-
			The following players were called up for the ] games against ] and ] on 15 and 18 November 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bfunion.bg/news/50577/0|title=Пълен състав на България “A” за мачовете с Люксембург и Беларус |trans-title=Complete squad of the Bulgaria national team for the games against Luxembourg and Belarus |publisher=]|date=5 November 2024|access-date=5 November 2024|language=bg}}</ref>
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:120px; background:#00966E;"|Competition
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{gold1}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{silver2}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|{{bronze3}}
	! style="width:20px; background:#00966E;"|Total
	|-
	|align=left|] ]
	|0 || 1 || 1 || 2
	|-
	|align=left|] ]
	|3 || 2 || 2 || 7
	|-
	|-style="color:white;"
	!style="background:#00966E;"|Total
	!style="background:#00966E;"|3
	!style="background:#00966E;"|3
	!style="background:#00966E;"|3
	!style="background:#00966E;"|9
	|}
			''Caps and goals as of 18 November 2024, after the match against ].''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/friendlies/match/2040326--tanzania-vs-bulgaria/ | title=Tanzania-Bulgaria &#124; European Qualifiers 2024 &#124; UEFA.com | website=] | access-date=22 March 2024 | archive-date=22 March 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322121743/https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/friendlies/match/2040326--tanzania-vs-bulgaria/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_players.php?id=32&data=9|title=Most Bulgaria Caps - EU-Football.info|website=eu-football.info|access-date=22 March 2024|archive-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609195155/https://eu-football.info/_players.php?id=32&data=9|url-status=live}}</ref>
	*] ''']'''
	**] '''Runners-up''' (1): ]
	**] '''Third place''' (1): ]
	*] ''']'''
	**] '''Winners''' (3): 1931, 1932, 1976
	**] '''Runners-up''' (2): 1935, 1936
	**] '''Third place''' (2) : 1933, 1980
	==Recent Results==
	{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
	{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
	{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2016|10|7|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 20:45<br />(20:45 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|FRA}}
	|score = 4–1
	|report = <br />
	|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|goals1 = ] {{goal|23||59}}<br />] {{goal|26}}<br />] {{goal|38}}
	|goals2 = ] {{goal|6|pen.}}
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance = 65,475
	|referee = ] (])
	|result = L
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2016|10|10|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 20:45<br />(20:45 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|SWE}}
	|score = 3–0
	|report = <br />
	|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|goals1 = ] {{goal|39}}<br />] {{goal|45}}<br />] {{goal|58}}
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance = 21,777
	|referee = ] (])
	|result = L
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2016|11|13|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 18:00<br>(19:00 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	|score = 1–0
	|team2 = {{fb|BLR}}
	|report = <br>
	|goals1 = ] {{goal|10}}
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance = 1,994
	|referee = ] (])
	|result = W
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2017|3|25|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 18:00<br>(19:00 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	|score = 2–0
	|team2 = {{fb|NED}}
	|report = <br>
	|goals1 = ] {{goal|5||20}}
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance = 10,900
	|referee = ] (])
	|result = W
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2017|6|9|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 20:45<br />(21:45 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|BLR}}
	|score = 2–1
	|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|report = <br>
	|goals1 = ] {{goal|33|pen.}}<br />] {{goal|80}}
	|goals2 = ] {{goal|90+1}}
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance = 6,150
	|referee = ] (])
	|result = L
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2017|8|31|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 20:45<br />(21:45 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	|score = 3–2
	|team2 = {{fb|SWE}}
	|report = <br />
	|goals1 = ] {{goal|12}} <br /> ] {{goal|33}} <br /> ] {{goal|79}}
	|goals2 = ] {{goal|29}} <br /> ] {{goal|44}}
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance = 12,121
	|referee = ] (])
	|result = W
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2017|9|3|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 18:00<br />(18:00 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|NED}}
	|score = 3–1
	|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|report = <br />
	|goals1 = ] {{goal|7||80}} <br /> ] {{goal|67}}
	|goals2 = ] {{goal|69}}
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance = 47,079
	|referee = ] (])
	|result = L
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2017|10|7|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 20:45<br>(21:45 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|BUL}}
	|score =
	|team2 = {{fb|FRA}}
	|report = <br />
	|goals1 =
	|goals2 =
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance =
	|referee =
	|result =
	}}
	{{footballbox collapsible
	|format = 1
	|date = {{Start date|2017|10|10|df=y}}
	|round = ]
	|time = 20:45<br />(20:45 ])
	|team1 = {{fb-rt|LUX}}
	|score =
	|team2 = {{fb|BUL}}
	|report = <br />
	|goals1 =
	|goals2 =
	|stadium = ]
	|location = ], ]
	|attendance =
	|referee =
	|result =
	}}
	==Ranking history==
	{{see also|FIFA World Rankings}}
	{| class="wikitable"
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|
	! style="width:10px; background:#00966E;"| Rank
	! style="width:90px; background:#00966E;"| Date
	|- style="background:#cfc;"
	| Best Rank
	| 3
	| June 1995
	|- style="background:#fffacd;"
	| Current Rank
	| 38
	| September 2017
	|- style="background:#fcc;"
	| Worst Rank
	| 96
	| May 2012
	|}
	==Players==
	The following players were called up in the preliminary squad for the ] against ] on 7 October 2017 and ] on 10 October 2017.<ref>{{cite web | title = Състав на "А" националния отбор за световните квалификации с Франция и Люксембург | url = http://www.bfunion.bg/news/8354 | publisher = Bulgarian Football Union | date = 26 September 2017 | language = Bulgarian}}</ref><br>
	''Caps and goals updated as of 3 September 2017 after the match against ].''
	{{nat fs g start}}		{{nat fs g start}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=]|caps=9|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|3|31}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name={{sortname|Dimitar|Mitov}}|caps=9|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1997|1|22}}|club=]|clubnat=SCO}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=]|caps=4|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1991|11|30}}|club=]|clubnat=ROU|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=GK|name={{sortname|Svetoslav|Vutsov}}|caps=6|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2002|7|9}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=GK|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|7|11}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=GK|name={{sortname|Plamen|Iliev|dab=footballer, born 1991}}|caps=19|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1991|11|30}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs break}}		{{nat fs break|background=#F1771D}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=49|goals=5|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1985|12|16}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Viktor|Popov}}|caps=21|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2000|3|5}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=36|goals=1|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|5|30}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Zhivko|Atanasov}}|caps=12|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1991|2|3}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=31|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1985|10|18}}|club=]|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Nikolay|Minkov}}|caps=0|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1997|8|13}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=14|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|8|31}}|club=]|clubnat=TUR|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Aleks|Petkov}}|caps=15|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1999|7|25}}|club=]|clubnat=POL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=9|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|6|2}}|club=]|clubnat=SVK|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Valentin|Antov}}|caps=32|goals=1|age={{bda|df=y|2000|11|9}}|club=]|clubnat=ITA}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=4|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|8|1}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Fabian|Nürnberger}}|caps=5|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1999|7|28}}|club=]|clubnat=GER}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=3|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|4|30}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Simeon|Petrov}}|caps=9|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2000|1|12}}|club=]|clubnat=POL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|4|17}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Petko|Hristov}}|caps=19|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1999|3|1}}|club=]|clubnat=ITA}}
			{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Hristiyan|Petrov}}|caps=5|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2002|6|24}}|club=]|clubnat=NED}}
	{{nat fs break}}
			{{nat fs break|background=#F1771D}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=14|goals=2|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|2|18}}|club=]|clubnat=ITA|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=12|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|9|25}}|club=]|clubnat=POL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Andrian|Kraev}}|caps=10|goals=1|age={{bda|df=y|1999|2|14}}|club=]|clubnat=POR}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=12|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|2|7}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Filip|Krastev}}|caps=22|goals=1|age={{bda|df=y|2001|10|15}}|club=]|clubnat=NED}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=6|goals=3|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|9|7}}|club=]|clubnat=ISR|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Marin|Petkov|dab=footballer}}|caps=12|goals=2|age={{bda|df=y|2003|10|2}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=2|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1997|06|23}}|club=]|clubnat=DEN|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Georgi|Milanov|dab=footballer}}|caps=49|goals=2|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1992|2|19}}|club=]|clubnat=ROU}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=2|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|8|31}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Vasil|Panayotov}}|caps=5|goals=1|age={{bda|df=y|1990|7|16}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=1|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1994|3|30}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ilian|Iliev Jr.|Ilian Iliev (footballer, born 1999)}}|caps=17|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1999|8|20}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
			{{nat fs break|background=#F1771D}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=1|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1992|4|25}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}
			{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Georgi|Rusev|dab=footballer}}|caps=18|goals=1|age={{bda|df=y|1998|7|2}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs break}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=]|caps=70|goals=12|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|10|26}}|club=]|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Aleksandar|Kolev}}|caps=11|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1992|12|8}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=]|caps=15|goals=2|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|09|22}}|club=]|clubnat=POL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=10|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Radoslav|Kirilov}}|caps=20|goals=2|age={{bda|df=y|1992|6|29}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=]|caps=8|goals=2|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|11|13}}|club=]|clubnat=ITA|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Martin|Minchev}}|caps=22|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2001|4|22}}|club=]|clubnat=TUR}}
	{{nat fs g player|no=|pos=FW|name=]|caps=1|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|3|26}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 10 October 2017}}		{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Lukas|Petkov}}|caps=5|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2000|11|1}}|club=]|clubnat=GER}}
			{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Ahmed|Ahmedov}}|caps=4|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1995|3|4}}|club=]|clubnat=JPN}}
			{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Stanislav|Ivanov|dab=footballer, born 1999}}|caps=5|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1999|4|16}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL}}
	{{nat fs end}}		{{nat fs end}}
Line 941:		Line 715:
	<!--Sorted by position, most recent call-up, caps, goals and last name.-->		<!--Sorted by position, most recent call-up, caps, goals and last name.-->
	{{nat fs r start}}		{{nat fs r start}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|3|6}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 3 September 2017}}		{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name={{sortname|Ivan|Dyulgerov}}|caps=6|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1999|7|15}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
			{{nat fs break|background=#F1771D}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=]|caps=19|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|6|08}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 15 March 2017 <sup>PRE / INJ</sup>}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1996|12|6}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 15 March 2017 <sup>INJ</sup>}}		{{nat fs r player|no=19|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Ivan|Turitsov}}|caps=19|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1999|7|18}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=]|caps=33|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1988|6|28}}|club=]|clubnat=|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 9 June 2017}}		{{nat fs r player|no=13|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Angel|Lyaskov}}|caps=2|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1998|3|16}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Anton|Nedyalkov}}|caps=29|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1993|4|30}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|ROU}}, 4 June 2024<sup>INJ</sup>}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Patrik-Gabriel|Galchev}}|caps=6|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2001|4|14}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|AZE}}, 25 March 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name={{sortname|Andrey|Yordanov}}|caps=0|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2001|9|6}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|AZE}}, 25 March 2024}}
			{{nat fs break|background=#F1771D}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ivaylo|Chochev}}|caps=46|goals=4|age={{bda|df=y|1993|2|18}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Georgi|Kostadinov|dab=footballer}}|caps=44|goals=3|age={{bda|df=y|1990|9|7}}|club=]|clubnat=CYP|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ivan|Minchev}}|caps=2|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1991|5|28}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Ilia|Gruev|dab=footballer, born 2000}}|caps=18|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2000|5|6}}|club=]|clubnat=ENG|latest=v. {{fb|LUX}}, 12 October 2024<sup>INJ</sup>}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Todor|Nedelev}}|caps=44|goals=5|age={{bda|df=y|1993|2|7}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|ROU}}, 4 June 2024<sup>INJ</sup>}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Yoni|Stoyanov}}|caps=9|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2001|5|22}}|club=]|clubnat=ISR|latest=v. {{fb|AZE}}, 25 March 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name={{sortname|Dimitar|Tonev}}|caps=0|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|2001|10|15}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|AZE}}, 25 March 2024}}
			{{nat fs break|background=#F1771D}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Kiril|Despodov}}|other=]|caps=54|goals=15|age={{bda|df=y|1996|11|11}}|club=]|clubnat=GRE|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 18 November 2024<sup>SUS</sup>}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=10|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Georgi|Minchev|dab=footballer}}|caps=13|goals=1|age={{bda|df=y|1995|4|20}}|club=]|clubnat=TUR|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Spas|Delev}}|caps=47|goals=5|age={{bda|df=y|1989|9|22}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|ROU}}, 4 June 2024<sup>INJ</sup>}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Zdravko|Dimitrov}}|caps=4|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1998|8|24}}|club=]|clubnat=TUR|latest=v. {{fb|NIR}}, 15 October 2024}}
			{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name={{sortname|Svetoslav|Kovachev}}|caps=5|goals=0|age={{bda|df=y|1998|3|14}}|club=]|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 5 September 2024<sup>INJ</sup>}}
	{{nat fs break}}		{{nat fs break}}
			;Notes
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=10|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1992|4|18}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 3 September 2017}}
			*<sup>INJ</sup> = Player withdrew from the ] due to injury.
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=1|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|2|13}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 3 September 2017}}
			*<sup>COVID</sup> = Player withdrew from the ] due to testing positively for ] or having to self-isolate because of it.
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1996|12|12}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 15 March 2017}}
			*<sup>U21</sup> = Not part of the squad due to ] call up.
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=15|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|4|13}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 13 November 2016}}
			*<sup>PRE</sup> = Preliminary squad.
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1994|8|6}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 13 November 2016}}
			*<sup>RET</sup> = Player had announced retirement from international football.
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|3|6}}|club=]|clubnat=BLR|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 13 November 2016}}
			*<sup>SUS</sup> = Player is serving a suspension.
	{{nat fs break}}
			*<sup>PRV</sup> = Player absent due to private circumstances.
	{{nat fs r player|no=20|pos=MF|name=]|caps=27|goals=5|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1990|2|2}}|club=]|clubnat=ITA|latest=v. {{fb|FRA}}, 7 October 2017 <sup>PRE / INJ</sup>}}
			*<sup>WD</sup> = Withdrawn.
	{{nat fs r player|no=17|pos=MF|name=]|caps=37|goals=2|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1992|2|19}}|club=]|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 3 September 2017}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=19|pos=MF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1996|8|11}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 3 September 2017}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=20|pos=MF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|1|8}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 3 September 2017}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=21|pos=MF|name=]|other=]|caps=36|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1984|5|31}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 9 June 2017}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=8|pos=MF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|11|16}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 9 June 2017}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=7|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|10|15}}|club=]|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 15 March 2017 <sup>PRE</sup>}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|4|27}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|NED}}, 15 March 2017}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=]|caps=0|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|07|17}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 13 November 2016}}
	{{nat fs break}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=]|caps=40|goals=6|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1983|2|9}}|club=]|clubnat=TUR|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 13 November 2016}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=]|caps=1|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1992|6|29}}|club=]|clubnat=BUL|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 13 November 2016}}
	{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=]|caps=1|goals=0|age={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|7|21}}|club=]|clubnat=KAZ|latest=v. {{fb|BLR}}, 13 November 2016}}
	{{nat fs end}}		{{nat fs end}}
	<sup>INJ</sup> Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.<br/>
	<sup>PRE</sup> Preliminary squad.<br/>
	<sup>RET</sup> Player retired from international football.
			==Player records==
	===Current technical staff===
			{{Updated|17 November 2019.}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mamrud |first1=Roberto |title=Bulgaria - Record International Players |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/bulg-recintlp.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=23 October 2023 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201031038/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/bulg-recintlp.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
	{| class="wikitable"
			:''Players in '''bold''' text are still active with Bulgaria.''
			===Most appearances===
			]
			{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
	|-		|-
			! width="30" |Rank
	|Head coach|| {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
			! style="width:150px;"|Player
			! width="50" |Caps
			! width="50" |Goals
			! style="width:100px;"|Career
			|-
			| 1
			| align=left| ]
			| 105
			| 8
			| {{nowrap|1998–2011}}
			|-
			| 2
			| align=left| ]
			| 102
			| 0
			| 1983–1998
			|-
			| 3
			| align=left| ]
			| 96
			| 48
			| 1967–1979
	|-		|-
			| 4
	|Assistant coach|| {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
			| align=left| ]
			| 92
			| 16
			| 1988–2003
	|-		|-
			| rowspan=3|5
	|Assistant coach|| {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Levon Apkaryan
			| align=left| ]
			| 90
			| 2
			| 1965–1974
	|-		|-
			| align=left| ]
	|Goalkeepers coach|| {{flagicon|Armenia}} ]
			| 90
			| 19
			| 1999–2011
	|-		|-
			| align=left| ]
	|BFU president|| {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
			| 90
			| 18
			| 2007–2019
	|-		|-
			|8
	|Team captain|| {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ]
			| align=left| ]
			| 88
			| 1
			| 1996–2009
			|-
			|9
			| align=left| ]
			| 83
			| 37
			| 1986–1999
			|-
			| 10
			| align=left| ]
			| 80
			| 4
			| 1990–1999
	|}		|}
	===Previous squads===		===Top goalscorers===
	;FIFA World Cup Squads:
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*]
	*]
			{{multiple image
	;UEFA European Football Championship Squads:
			| image1 = Hristo Bonev 1974.jpg
	*]
			| image2 = Berbatov 9.jpg
	*]
			| total_width = 300
			| footer = ] and ] are Bulgaria's joint all-time top scorers with 48 goals.
			}}
			{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
	;Summer Olympics Football Tournament Squads:
			|-
	*]
			! width="30" |Rank
	*]
			! style="width:150px;"|Player
	*]
			! width="50" |Goals
	*]
			! width="50" |Caps
	*]
			! width="50" |Average
			! style="width:100px;"|Career
	==Player records==
			|-
	{{col-begin}}
			| rowspan=2|1
	{{col-2}}
			| align=left| ]
	===Most goals===
	] is Bulgaria's all-time top scorer with 48 goals.]]
	{| class="wikitable"
	|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"|#
	! style="width:145px; background:#00966E;"| Player
	! style="width:80px; background:#00966E;"| Career
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| Goals
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| Caps
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| Average
	|- style="background:Gold;"
	| 1
	| ]
	| 1999–2010
	| 48		| 48
	| 78		| 78
			| {{#expr:48/78 round 2}}
	| 0.60
			| {{nowrap|1999–2010}}
	|- style="background:silver;"
	| 2		|-
	| ]		| align=left| ]
	| 1967–1979
	| 48		| 48
	| 96		| 96
			| {{#expr:48/96 round 2}}
	| 0.49
			| 1967–1979
	|- style="background:#c96;"
			|-
	| 3		| 3
	| ]		| align=left| ]
	| 1987–1999
	| 37		| 37
	| 83		| 83
			| {{#expr:37/83 round 2}}
	| 0.45
			| 1987–1999
	|-
			|-
	| 4		| 4
	| ]		| align=left| ]
			| 27
			| 70
			| {{#expr:27/70 round 2}}
	| 1988–1998		| 1988–1998
	| 26
	| 70
	| 0.37
	|-		|-
	| 5		| 5
	| ]		| align=left| ]
			| 26
	| 1963–1972
			| 44
			| {{#expr:26/44 round 2}}
			| 1931–1940
			|-
			| rowspan=2|6
			| align=left| ]
	| 25		| 25
	| 44		| 44
			| {{#expr:25/44 round 2}}
	| 0.57
			| 1963–1972
	|-		|-
			| align=left| ]
	| 6
	| ]
	| 1950–1963
	| 25		| 25
	| 75		| 75
			| {{#expr:25/75 round 2}}
	| 0.33
			| 1950–1963
	|-
	| 7
	| ]
	| 1970–1981
	| 23
	| 45
	| 0.51
	|-		|-
	| 8		| 8
	| ]		| align=left| ]
			| 24
			| 78
			| {{#expr:24/78 round 2}}
	| 1983–1996		| 1983–1996
	| 23
	| 82
	| 0.28
	|-		|-
	| 9		| 9
	| ]		| align=left| ]
			| 23
	| 1948–1959
	| 20		| 45
			| {{#expr:23/45 round 2}}
			| 1970–1981
			|-
			| rowspan=4|10
			| align=left| ]
			| 19
	| 39		| 39
			| {{#expr:19/39 round 2}}
	| 0.51
			| 1948–1959
	|-		|-
			| align=left| ]
	| 10
	| ]
	| 1962–1970
	| 19		| 19
	| 50		| 49
			| {{#expr:19/49 round 2}}
	| 0.38
			| 1962–1970
	|-		|-
			| align=left| ]
	| 11
	| ]
	| 1966–1977
	| 19		| 19
	| 58		| 58
			| {{#expr:19/58 round 2}}
	| 0.33
			| 1966–1977
	|-		|-
			| align=left| ]
	| 12
	| ]
	| 1999–2013
	| 19		| 19
	| 89		| 90
			| {{#expr:19/90 round 2}}
	| 0.21
			| 1999–2011
	|}		|}
	===Most appearances===		===Youngest debutants===
			{{Updated|15 November 2021.}}
	] is Bulgaria's most capped player with 105 appearances]]
			:''Results list Bulgaria's goal tally first.''
	{| class="wikitable"
	|- style="color:white;"		{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;"
			|-
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"|#
			!width=30px|Rank
	! style="width:145px; background:#00966E;"| Player
	! style="width:80px; background:#00966E;"| Career		! style="width:150px;"|Player
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| Caps		! style="width:200px;"|Age on debut
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| Goals		! style="width:130px;"|Opponent
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| Average		! style="width:50px;"|Result
			!width=50px|Year
	|- style="background:Gold;"
			|-
			| align="center"|1
			|Vladimir Todorov
			|15 years 08 months 14 days
			|{{fb|Romania}}
			| align="center"|2–3
			| align="center"|1929
			|-
			| align="center"|2
			|Aleksandar Belokapov
			|15 years 10 months 11 days
			|{{fb|Germany}}
			| align="center"|1–2
			| align="center"|1939
			|-
			| align="center"|3
			|]
			|16 years 10 months 24 days
			|{{fb|Netherlands}}
			| align="center"|3–2
			| align="center"|1959
			|-
			| align="center"|4
			|Radoslav Maznikov
			|17 years 02 months 12 days
			|{{fb|Romania}}
			| align="center"|0–3
			| align="center"|1929
			|-
			| align="center"|5
			|]
			|17 years 07 months 28 days
			|{{fb|Yugoslavia}}
			| align="center"|1–3
			| align="center"|1926
			|-
			| align="center"|6
			|]
			|17 years 10 months 13 days
			|{{fb|Scotland}}
			| align="center"|1–5
			| align="center"|2006
			|-
			| align="center"|7
			|''']'''
			|17 years 11 months 00 days
			|{{fb|Montenegro}}
			| align="center"|1–1
			| align="center"|2019
			|-
			| align="center"|8
			|Hristo Minkovski
			|17 years 11 months 17 days
			|{{fb|Romania}}
			| align="center"|0–3
			| align="center"|1929
			|-
			| align="center"|9
			|Nikola Savov
			|18 years 01 month 10 days
			|{{fb|Hungary}}
			| align="center"|1–4
			| align="center"|1934
			|-
			| align="center"|10
			|]
			|18 years 01 month 12 days
			|{{fb|Uzbekistan}}
			| align="center"|0–0
			| align="center"|1995
			|}
			==Competitive record==
			===FIFA World Cup===
			{{main|Bulgaria at the FIFA World Cup}}
			{{Color box|gold|border=darkgray}} '''Champions'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{Color box|silver|border=darkgray}} '''Runners-up'''&nbsp;&nbsp;{{Color box|#cc9966|border=darkgray}} Third place&nbsp;&nbsp;{{Color box|#9acdff|border=darkgray}} Fourth place&nbsp;&nbsp;
			{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;" colspan=10|] record
			! style="width:1%;background:white" rowspan=28|
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;" colspan=7|] record
			|-
			!Year
			!Result
			!Position
			!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
			!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
			!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}*
			!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
			!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
			!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
			!Squad
			!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
			!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
			!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
			!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
			!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
			!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Uruguay}} ]
			| colspan=9|''Did not enter''
			| colspan=6|''Declined invitation''
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Italy|1861}} ]
			| colspan=9 rowspan=2|''Did not qualify''
			| 3
			| 0
			| 0
			| 3
			| 3
			| 14
			|-
			| {{flagicon|France|1794}} ]
			| 2
			| 0
	| 1		| 1
			| 1
	| ]
			| 1
	| 1998–2013
	| 105		| 7
	| 8		|-
			| {{flagicon|Brazil|1889}} ]
	| 0.08
			| colspan=9|''Did not enter''
	|- style="background:Silver;"
			| colspan=6|''Declined participation''
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} ]
			| colspan=9 rowspan=2|''Did not qualify''
			| 4
			| 0
			| 1
			| 3
			| 3
			| 7
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Sweden}} ]
			| 4
	| 2		| 2
	| ]
	| 1983–1998
	| 102
	| 0		| 0
	| 0.00		| 2
			| 11
	|- style="background:#c96;"
			| 7
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Chile}} ]
			| rowspan=4| Group stage
			| 15th
	| 3		| 3
			| 0
	| ]
			| 1
	| 1967–1979
	| 96		| 2
	| 48		| 1
	| 0.49		| 7
			| ]
			| 5
			| 4
			| 0
			| 1
			| 7
			| 4
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|England}} ]
			| 15th
			| 3
			| 0
			| 0
			| 3
			| 1
			| 8
			| ]
			| 5
	| 4		| 4
			| 0
	| ]
			| 1
	| 1988–2003
	| 92		| 11
	| 16		| 7
	| 0.17
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|Mexico}} ]
			| 13th
			| 3
			| 0
			| 1
			| 2
	| 5		| 5
			| 9
	| ]
			| ]
	| 1965–1974
	| 90		| 6
			| 4
			| 1
			| 1
			| 12
			| 7
			|-
			| {{flagicon|West Germany}} ]
			| 12th
			| 3
			| 0
	| 2		| 2
	| 0.02		| 1
			| 2
			| 5
			| ]
			| 6
			| 4
			| 2
			| 0
			| 13
			| 3
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|Argentina}} ]
			| colspan=9 rowspan=2|''Did not qualify''
			| 4
			| 1
			| 2
			| 1
			| 5
	| 6		| 6
	| ]
	| 1999–2013
	| 89
	| 19
	| 0.21
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|Spain}} ]
	| 7
			| 8
	| ]
			| 4
	| 1996–2009
	| 88
	| 1		| 1
	| 0.01		| 3
			| 11
			| 10
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|Mexico}} ]
			| Round of 16
			| 15th
			| 4
			| 0
			| 2
			| 2
			| 2
			| 6
			| ]
	| 8		| 8
			| 5
	| ]
			| 1
	| 1986–1999
	| 83		| 2
	| 37		| 13
	| 0.45		| 5
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|Italy}} ]
			| colspan=9|''Did not qualify''
			| 6
			| 1
			| 1
			| 4
			| 6
			| 8
			|- style="background:#9acdff"
			| {{flagicon|United States}} ]
			| '''Fourth place'''
			| '''4th'''
			| '''7'''
			| '''3'''
			| '''1'''
			| '''3'''
			| '''10'''
			| '''11'''
			| ''']'''
			| 10
			| 6
			| 2
			| 2
			| 19
			| 10
			|-
			| {{flagicon|France|1974}} ]
			| Group stage
			| 29th
			| 3
			| 0
			| 1
			| 2
			| 1
			| 7
			| ]
			| 8
			| 6
			| 0
			| 2
			| 18
	| 9		| 9
	| ]
	| 1983–1996
	| 82
	| 23
	| 0.28
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|South Korea|1997}} {{flagicon|Japan}} ]
			| colspan=9 rowspan=6|''Did not qualify''
			| 10
			| 5
			| 2
			| 3
			| 14
			| 15
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Germany}} ]
	| 10		| 10
	| ]
	| 1989–1999
	| 80
	| 4		| 4
	| 0.05		| 3
			| 3
			| 17
			| 17
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|South Africa}} ]
	| 11
			| 10
	| ]
			| 3
	| 1981–1991
	| 79		| 5
			| 2
			| 17
			| 13
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Brazil}} ]
			| 10
			| 3
			| 4
			| 3
			| 14
	| 9		| 9
	| 0.11
	|-		|-
			| {{flagicon|Russia}} ]
	| 12
			| 10
	| ]
			| 4
	| 1999–2010
	| 78		| 1
	| 48		| 5
	| 0.62		| 14
			| 19
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Qatar}} ]
			| 8
			| 2
			| 2
			| 4
			| 6
			| 14
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|Mexico}} {{flagicon|United States}} ]
			| colspan=9 rowspan=3|''To be determined''
			| colspan=6 rowspan=3|''To be determined''
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Morocco}} {{flagicon|Portugal}} {{flagicon|Spain}} ]
			|-
			| {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} ]
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|Total
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|Fourth place|Highest finish}}
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|7/22|Number of tournaments qualified for}}
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|26
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|3
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|8
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|15
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|22
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|53
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|—
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|137
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|62
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|29
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|46
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|215
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|191
			|}
			:''*Draws include knockout matches decided on ].''
			===UEFA European Championship===
			{{main|Bulgaria at the UEFA European Championship}}
			{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;" colspan=10|] record
			! style="width:1%;background:white" rowspan=22|
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;" colspan=7|] record
			|-
			!Year
			!Result
			!Position
			!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
			!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
			!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}*
			!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
			!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
			!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
			!Squad
			!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
			!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
			!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
			!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
			!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
			!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
			|-
			|{{flagicon|France|1794}} ]
			|colspan=9 rowspan=9|''Did not qualify''
			|2
			|0
			|1
			|1
			|1
			|3
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Spain|1945}} ]
			|5
			|3
			|0
			|2
			|7
			|7
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Italy}} ]
			|8
			|5
			|2
			|1
			|13
			|4
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Belgium}} ]
			|6
			|3
			|1
			|2
			|11
			|7
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Yugoslavia}} ]
			|6
			|2
			|2
			|2
			|12
			|7
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Italy}} ]
			|8
			|2
			|1
			|5
			|6
			|14
			|-
			|{{flagicon|France|1974}} ]
			|6
			|2
			|1
			|3
			|7
			|8
			|-
			|{{flagicon|West Germany}} ]
			|8
			|4
			|2
			|2
			|12
			|6
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Sweden}} ]
			|8
			|3
			|3
			|2
			|15
			|8
			|-
			|{{flagicon|England}} ]
			|Group stage
			|11th
			|3
			|1
			|1
			|1
			|3
			|4
			|]
			|10
			|7
			|1
			|2
			|24
			|10
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Belgium}} {{flagicon|Netherlands}} ]
			|colspan=9|''Did not qualify''
			|8
			|2
			|2
			|4
			|6
			|8
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Portugal}} ]
			|Group stage
			|16th
			|3
			|0
			|0
			|3
			|1
			|9
			|]
			|8
			|5
			|2
			|1
			|13
			|4
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Austria}} {{flagicon|Switzerland}} ]
			|colspan=9 rowspan=5|''Did not qualify''
			|12
			|7
			|4
			|1
			|18
			|7
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Poland}} {{flagicon|Ukraine}} ]
			|8
			|1
			|2
			|5
			|3
			|13
			|-
			|{{flagicon|France|1974}} ]
			|10
			|3
			|2
			|5
			|9
			|12
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Europe}} ]
			|9
			|1
			|3
			|5
			|7
			|20
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Germany}} ]
			|8
			|0
			|4
			|4
			|7
			|14
			|-
			|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} {{flagicon|Republic of Ireland}} ]
			|colspan=9 rowspan=2|''To be determined''
			|colspan=6 rowspan=2|''To be determined''
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Italy}} {{flagicon|Turkey}} ]
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|Total
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|Group stage
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|2/17
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|6
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|1
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|1
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|4
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|4
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|13
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|—
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|130
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|50
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|33
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|47
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|171
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|154
			|}
			:''*Draws include knockout matches decided on ].''
			===UEFA Nations League===
			{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;" colspan=11|] record
			|-
			!Season
			!Division
			!Group
			!width=28|{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
			!width=28|{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
			!width=28|{{Tooltip|D*|Drawn}}
			!width=28|{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
			!width=28|{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
			!width=28|{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
			!width=35|{{Tooltip|P/R|Promotion/relegation at end of season}}
			!width=28|{{Tooltip|RK|Overall rank}}
			|-
			|]
			|]
			|]
			||6||3||2||1||7||5||{{rise}}||29th
			|-
			|]
			|]
			|]
			||6||0||2||4||2||7||{{fall}}||31st
			|-
			|]
			|]
			|]
			||6||2||3||1||10||8||{{same position}}||40th
			|-
			|]
			|]
			|]
			||6||2||3||1||3||6||colspan=2|''TBD''
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"colspan=3|Total
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|24
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|7
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|10
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|7
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|22
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|26
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"colspan=2|29th
			|}
			:''*Draws include knockout matches decided on ].''
			===Olympic Games===
			{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;" colspan=10|] record
			|-
			!Year
			!Result
			!Position
			!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
			!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
			!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
			!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
			!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
			!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
			!Squad
			|-
			|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} ]||colspan=9 rowspan=3|''Did not enter''
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Sweden}} ]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Belgium}} ]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|France|1794}} ]||Round of 16||12th||1||0||0||1||0||1||]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} ]||colspan=9 rowspan=3|''Did not enter''
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Nazi Germany}} ]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} ]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Finland}} ]||Round of 16||13th||1||0||0||1||1||2||]
			|- style="background:#cc9966"
			|{{flagicon|Australia}} ]||'''Bronze medal'''||'''3rd'''||'''3'''||'''2'''||'''0'''||'''1'''||'''10'''||'''3'''||''']'''
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Italy}} ]||Group stage||5th||3||2||1||0||8||3||]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Japan|1870}} ]||colspan=9|''Did not qualify''
			|- style="background:silver"
			|{{flagicon|Mexico}} ]||'''Silver medal'''||'''2nd'''||'''6'''||'''3'''||'''2'''||'''1'''||'''16'''||'''10'''||''']'''
			|-
			|{{flagicon|West Germany}} ]||colspan=9 rowspan=5|''Did not qualify''
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Canada}} ]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|Soviet Union}} ]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|United States}} ]
			|-
			|{{flagicon|South Korea|1984}} ]
			|-
			| Since ]||colspan=9|''Olympic football has been an under-23 tournament''
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|Total
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|1 Silver medal
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|5/17
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|14
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|7
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|3
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|4
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|35
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|19
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|—
			|}
			===Balkan Cup===
			{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;" colspan=10|] record
			|-
			!Year
			!Result
			!Position
			!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
			!{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
			!{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
			!{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
			!{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
			!{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
			|- style="background:#9acdff"
			|] ||'''Fourth place'''||'''4th'''||'''6'''||'''2'''||'''0'''||'''4'''||'''10'''||'''19'''
			|- style="background:gold"
			|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] ||'''Champions'''||'''1st'''||'''2'''||'''2'''||'''0'''||'''0'''||'''8'''||'''3'''
			|- style="background:gold"
			|{{flagicon|Yugoslavia}} ] ||'''Champions'''||'''1st'''||'''3'''||'''3'''||'''0'''||'''0'''||'''7'''||'''2'''
			|- style="background:#cc9966"
			|{{flagicon|Romania}} ] ||'''Third place'''||'''3rd'''||'''3'''||'''1'''||'''0'''||'''2'''||'''2'''||'''11'''
			|- style="background:#9acdff"
			|{{flagicon|Greece|old}} ] ||'''Fourth place'''||'''4th'''||'''3'''||'''1'''||'''0'''||'''2'''||'''7'''||'''8'''
			|- style="background:silver"
			|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] ||'''Runners-up'''||'''2nd'''||'''3'''||'''2'''||'''1'''||'''0'''||'''12'''||'''5'''
			|- style="background:silver"
			|{{flagicon|Romania}} ] ||'''Runners-up'''||'''2nd'''||'''2'''||'''1'''||'''0'''||'''1'''||'''6'''||'''8'''
			|- style="background:#9acdff"
			|{{flagicon|Albania|1946}} ] ||'''Fourth place'''||'''4th'''||'''3'''||'''0'''||'''1'''||'''2'''||'''4'''||'''7'''
			|- style="background:#9acdff"
			|] ||'''Fourth place'''||'''4th'''||'''4'''||'''1'''||'''0'''||'''3'''||'''5'''||'''14'''
			|-
			|]* ||Group stage||3rd||5||2||1||2||6||7
			|- style="background:gold"
			|] ||'''Champions'''||'''1st'''||'''4'''||'''2'''||'''0'''||'''2'''||'''10'''||'''9'''
			|-
			|] ||Group stage||3rd||4||1||1||2||4||6
			|-
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|Total
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|3 Titles
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|12/12
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|42
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|18
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|4
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|20
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|81
			! style="color:white; background:#00966E;"|99
	|}		|}
			:''*Competition abandoned with Bulgaria in third place.''
			==Head-to-head record==
	==International Match Records==
	''As of 3 September 2017''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eloratings.net/Bulgaria.htm|title=World Football Elo Ratings: Bulgaria|publisher=Elo Ratings|accessdate=24 June 2017}}</ref>		''As of 18 November 2024 after the match against {{fb|BLR}}''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eloratings.net/Bulgaria|title=World Football Elo Ratings: Bulgaria}}</ref>
	{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Positive Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}		{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Positive Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
	{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Neutral Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}		{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Neutral Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
	{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Negative Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}		{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Negative Record|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
	{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%; text-align: center;"		{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align: center; font-size: 100%;"
	|- style="color:white;"		|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:145px; background-color:#00966E;"|Opponents		! style="width:145px; background-color:#00966E;"|Opponents
	! style="width:1px; background-color:#00966E;"| Pld		! style="width:30px; background-color:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
	! style="width:1px; background-color:#00966E;"| W		! style="width:30px; background-color:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|W|Won}}
	! style="width:1px; background-color:#00966E;"| D		! style="width:30px; background-color:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}
	! style="width:1px; background-color:#00966E;"| L		! style="width:30px; background-color:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|L|Lost}}
	! style="width:1px; background-color:#00966E;"| GF		! style="width:30px; background-color:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}}
	! style="width:1px; background-color:#00966E;"| GA		! style="width:30px; background-color:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}}
	! style="width:1px; background-color:#00966E;"| GD		! style="width:30px; background-color:#00966E;"|{{Tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}
	|-
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ALB}} || 13 || 7|| 4 || 2 || 17 || 8 || +9		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ALB}} || 15 || 7 || 4 || 4 || 17 || 12 || +5
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,229:		Line 1,691:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|AND}} || 2 || 2|| 0 || 0|| 5 || 1 || +4		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|AND}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 5 || 1 || +4
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ARG}} || 9 || 1 || 0|| 8 || 6 || 18 || −12		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ARG}} || 9 || 1 || 0 || 8 || 6 || 18 || −12
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ARM}} || 2 || 1|| 0 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 0		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ARM}} || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,244:		Line 1,706:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|AZE}} || 4 || 3 || 1 || 0 || 6 || 2 || +4		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|AZE}} || 5 || 3 || 2 || 0 || 7 || 3 || +4
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BLR}} || 7 || 5 || 0 || 2 || 12 || 6 || +6		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BLR}} || 10 || 5 || 2 || 3 || 13 || 8 || +5
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
Line 1,253:		Line 1,715:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BIH}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || +1		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BOL}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 1 || +2
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BRA}} || 8 || 0 || 0 || 8 || 2 || 19 || −17		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BIH}} || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BOL}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 1 || +2		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|BRA}} || 9 || 0 || 1 || 8 || 2 || 19 || −17
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CMR}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || +3		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CMR}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || +3
			|-
			|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
			| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CAN}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
Line 1,268:		Line 1,733:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CRO}} || 8 || 1 || 2 || 5 || 5 || 16 || −11		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CRO}} || 9 || 1 || 2 || 6 || 6 || 18 || −12
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CYP}} || 13 || 12 || 0 || 1 || 31 || 8 || +23		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CUB}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 5 || 2 || +3
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CZE}}{{efn|Includes matches against {{fb|TCH}}.}} || 19 || 7 || 4 || 8 || 17 || 25 || −8		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CYP}} || 16 || 14 || 1 || 1 || 36 || 10 || +26
			|-
			|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
			| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|CZE}}{{efn|Includes matches against {{fb|TCH}}.}} || 24 || 10 || 4 || 10 || 22 || 32 || −10
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
Line 1,280:		Line 1,748:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|East Germany}} || 19 || 6 || 8 || 5 || 23 || 24 || −1		| style="text-align:left;"| ''{{fb|DDR}}'' || 23 || 8 || 8 || 7 || 31 || 30 || +1
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
Line 1,289:		Line 1,757:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ENG}} || 10 || 0 || 4 || 6 || 2 || 16 || −14		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ENG}} || 12 || 0 || 4 || 8 || 2 || 26 || −24
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,295:		Line 1,763:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|FIN}} || 8|| 7 || 1 || 0 || 19 || 3 || +16		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|FIN}} || 10 || 7 || 1 || 2 || 20 || 7 || +13
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|FRA}} || 21 || 8 || 4 || 9 || 26 || 37 || −11		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|FRA}} || 23 || 8 || 4 || 11 || 26 || 41 || −15
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GEO}} || 5 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 15 || 6 || +9		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GEO}} || 8 || 4 || 2 || 2 || 21 || 12 || +9
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GER}}{{efn|Includes matches against {{fb|West Germany}}.}} || 21 || 3 || 2 || 16 || 24 || 56 || −32		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GER}}{{efn|Includes matches against {{fb|FRG}}.}} || 24 || 4 || 2 || 18 || 28 || 62 || −34
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GHA}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 10 || 0 || +10		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|GIB}} || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 9 || 2 || +7
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,313:		Line 1,781:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|HUN}} || 22 || 5 || 5 || 12 || 24 || 52 || −28		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|HUN}} || 34 || 6 || 11 || 17 || 39 || 75 || −36
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,319:		Line 1,787:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IND}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 0 || +4		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IND}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || +3
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IDN}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || +3		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IDN}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 0 || +4
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IRN}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IRN}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 2 || −1
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,331:		Line 1,799:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ITA}} || 19 || 2 || 7 || 10 || 16 || 33 || −17		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ITA}} || 23 || 2 || 9 || 12 || 19 || 42 || −23
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
Line 1,343:		Line 1,811:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|KAZ}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || +1		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|KAZ}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 2 || +2
			|-
			|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
			| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|KOS}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 3 || 4 || −1
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,352:		Line 1,823:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|LIB}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 2 || +1		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|LBN}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 2 || +1
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|LUX}} || 13 || 13 || 0 || 0 || 38 || 8 || +30		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|LTU}} || 5 || 2 || 1 || 2 || 6 || 6 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|LIT}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 0 || +3		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|LUX}} || 17 || 14 || 3 || 0 || 40 || 9 || +31
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MKD}} || 7 || 4 || 1 || 2 || 7 || 3 || +4		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MLT}} || 14 || 11 || 3 || 0 || 45 || 6 || +39
	|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MLT}} || 13 || 10 || 3 || 0 || 38 || 5 || +33
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
Line 1,372:		Line 1,840:
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MDA}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 7 || 1 || +6		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MDA}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 7 || 1 || +6
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MNE}} || 4 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 7 || 5 || +2		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MNE}} || 8 || 1 || 4 || 3 || 9 || 9 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
Line 1,391:		Line 1,859:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|NIR}} || 7 || 4 || 1 || 2 || 9 || 7 || +2		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|MKD}} || 9 || 5 || 2 || 2 || 9 || 4 || +5
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|NOR}} || 14 || 6 || 4 || 4 || 26 || 15 || +11		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|NIR}} || 11 || 6 || 2 || 3 || 12 || 13 || −1
			|-
			|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
			| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|NOR}} || 16 || 7 || 4 || 5 || 27 || 16 || +11
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|OMA}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|OMA}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|PAR}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|PAR}} || 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || −1
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
Line 1,411:		Line 1,882:
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|POR}} || 13 || 6 || 3 || 4 || 18 || 16 || +2		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|POR}} || 13 || 6 || 3 || 4 || 18 || 16 || +2
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IRL}} || 9 || 3 || 4 || 2 || 8 || 10 || −2		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|QAT}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 4 || 4 || 0
			|-
			|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
			| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|IRL}} || 13 || 3 || 6 || 4 || 10 || 15 || −5
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ROU}} || 37 || 10 || 6 || 21 || 52 || 75 || −23		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ROU}} || 44 || 13 || 9 || 22 || 62 || 82 || −20
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|RUS}}{{efn|Includes matches against the {{fb|USSR}}.}} || 19 || 2 || 6 || 11 || 17 || 34 || −17		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|RUS}}{{efn|Includes matches against {{fb|URS}}.}} || 28 || 3 || 11 || 14 || 23 || 42 || −19
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SMR}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 7 || 0 || +7		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SMR}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 7 || 0 || +7
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SAU}} || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 1 || +1		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SAU}} || 3 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 3 || 1 || +2
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
Line 1,430:		Line 1,904:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SER}}{{efn|Includes matches against {{fb|YUG}} and {{fb|SCG}}.}} || 32 || 7 || 6 || 19 || 43 || 67 || −24		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SRB}}{{efn|Includes matches against {{fb|YUG}} and {{fb|SCG}}.}} || 37 || 9 || 8 || 20 || 53 || 74 || −21
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,436:		Line 1,910:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SVK}} || 7 || 2 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 10 || −5		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SVK}} || 8 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 11 || −5
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SLO}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 5 || 0 || +5		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SVN}} || 5 || 3 || 2 || 0 || 9 || 3 || +6
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
Line 1,448:		Line 1,922:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SPA}} || 5 || 0 || 1 || 4 || 2 || 23 || −21		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|ESP}} || 9 || 1 || 3 || 5 || 15 || 31 || −16
			|-
			|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
			| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SUD}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
Line 1,454:		Line 1,931:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SWI}} || 10 || 2 || 4 || 4 || 12 || 15 || −3		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SUI}} || 12 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 13 || 22 || −9
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|SUD}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|TAN}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || +1
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
Line 1,466:		Line 1,943:
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|TUR}} || 21 || 8 || 6 || 7 || 38 || 34 || +4		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|TUR}} || 27 || 14 || 6 || 7 || 53 || 36 || +17
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|UKR}} || 5 || 0 || 2 || 3 || 2 || 7 || −5		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|UKR}} || 6 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 3 || 8 || −5
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|UAE}} || 6 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 14 || 4 || +10		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|UAE}} || 6 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 14 || 4 || +10
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFFACD"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|URU}} || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 5 || 2 || +3		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|URU}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
	|-		|-
	|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"		|- bgcolor="#FFCCCC"
	| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|WAL}} || 8 || 4 || 1 || 3 || 8 || 4 || +4		| style="text-align:left;"| {{fb|WAL}} || 10 || 4 || 1 || 5 || 8 || 6 || +2
	|- class="sortbottom"		|- class="sortbottom"
	|-		|-
	|- style="color:white;"		|- style="color:white;"
	! style="width:145px; background:#00966E;"|Total		|colspan=1 style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''Total (91)'''
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| 673		| style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''800'''
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| 254		| style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''291'''
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| 161		| style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''204'''
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| 258		| style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''305'''
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| 967		| style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''1,122'''
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| 1002		| style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''1,175'''
	! style="width:1px; background:#00966E;"| −35		| style="background: #00966E; color: white;|'''−53'''
	|}		|}
	{{notelist}}		{{notelist}}
	==Head coaches==		==Ranking history==
			{{see also|FIFA World Rankings}}
	{{Col-begin-small}}
			{| class="wikitable"
	{{Col-4}}
			|- style="color:white;"
	* {{flagicon|Austria}} ] 1924
			! style="width:100px; background:#00966E;"|
	* {{flagicon|Austria}} ] 1925
			! style="width:10px; background:#00966E;"| Rank
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Pavel Grozdanov 1927–1930
			! style="width:90px; background:#00966E;"| Date
	* {{flagicon|Hungary}} ] 1930
			|- style="background:#cfc;"
	* {{flagicon|Germany}} Otto Feist 1931
			| Best Rank
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Pavel Grozdanov 1932–1933
			| 8
	* {{flagicon|Hungary}} ] 1934–1935
			| June 1995
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Nikola Kalkandzhiev 1935
			|- style="background:#fffacd;"
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Ivan Batandzhiev 1936
			| Current Rank
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Geno Mateev 1936
			| 82
	* {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} Stanislav Toms 1937–1938
			| {{nowrap|December 2024}}
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Kostantin Maznikov 1938
			|- style="background:#fcc;"
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1939
			| Worst Rank
	* {{flagicon|Austria}} ] 1940–41
			| 96
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1942
			| May 2012
	{{Col-4}}
			|}
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Ivan Batandzhiev 1943
			* FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Bulgaria (1992–2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association/BUL/men/|title=FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Bulgaria|publisher=FIFA.com|access-date=30 September 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919214423/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association/BUL/men/|url-status=live}}</ref>
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Todor Konov 1946
			{{Graph:Chart|width=420|height=220|type=line|yGrid= |yAxisMax=1|yAxisMin=100|xAxisAngle=-40
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Mihail Manov 1947
			|x=1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1947
			|y=26, 31, 16, 17, 15, 36, 49, 37, 53, 51, 42, 34, 37, 39, 43, 18, 27, 30, 49, 84, 50, 74, 66, 71, 71, 43, 46, 59, 68, 71, 71, 81}}
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1947
			{{updated|24 October 2024}}
	* {{flagicon|Hungary}} ] 1947
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Lubomir Angelov 1948
	* {{flagicon|Hungary}} Andor Haidu 1948–1949
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1950
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Lubomir Angelov 1950
	* {{flagicon|Hungary}} Andor Haidú 1950
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Lubomir Angelov 1953
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1950–1953
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1954–60
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1955–1962
	{{Col-4}}
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1963
	* {{flagicon|Hungary}} ] 1963–1964
	* {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} ] 1965–1966
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1966
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1967–1970
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1970–1972
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1972–1974
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1974–1977
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Cvetan Ilchev 1978–1980
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Atanas Purzhelov 1980–1982
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1982–1986
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1986–1987
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Boris Angelov 1988–1989
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1989–1991
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1991
	{{Col-4}}
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1991–1996
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1996–1998
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 1998–1999
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2000–2001
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2002–2004
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2004–2007
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2007
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2007
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2008
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2009–2010
	* {{flagicon|Germany}} ] 2010–2011
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} Michail Madanski 2011
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2011–2014
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2015–2016
	* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} ] 2016–
			==Honours==
	{{Col-end}}
			===Major competitions===
			* ''']'''
			** {{silver02}} Silver medal (1): ]
			** {{bronze03}} Bronze medal (1): ]
			===Regional===
			* ''']'''
			** '''Champions (3)''': ], ], ]
			** Runners-up (2): ], ]
			** Third place (1): ]
			=== Friendly ===
			* ''']'''
			** '''Champions (1)''': 2007
			* ''']'''
			** '''Champions (1)''': ]
			===Summary===
			{| class="wikitable" style="width:30%; font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
			|-
			!Competition!!{{Gold1}}!!{{Silver2}}!!{{Bronze3}}!!Total
			|-
			|align=left|]
			|0||0||0||0
			|-
			| align="left" |]
			|0||1||1||2
			|-
			| align="left" |]
			|0||0||0||0
			|-
			!Total!!0!!1!!1!!2
			|}
	==See also==		==See also==
	* ]		{{portal|Association football|Bulgaria}}
	* ]		* ]
	* ]		* ]
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	* ]		* ]
	==Sources==		==Notes==
	{{reflist|30em}}		{{reflist|group=note}}
			==References==
			{{reflist}}
	==External links==		==External links==
			{{Commons category|Bulgaria national association football team}}
	*
			* {{official|https://teambulgaria.bg/}} {{in lang|bg}}
	*
			*
	*
			*
	* {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} <!-- temporary broken link as it is being spam-filtered -->
			* (archived 4 February 2007)
			*
			*
	*		*
	*		*
	*		*
			{{Bulgaria national football team}}
	{{Football in Bulgaria}}		{{Football in Bulgaria}}
	{{International Football}}
	{{UEFA teams}}		{{UEFA teams}}
			{{National sports teams of Bulgaria}}
	{{commons category|Bulgaria national football team}}
	{{DEFAULTSORT:Bulgaria National Football Team}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Bulgaria National Football Team}}
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Latest revision as of 09:46, 10 January 2025

Men's association football team This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Bulgaria women's national football team.

Bulgaria

Nickname(s)	Лъвовете / Lavovete (The Lions) Трикольорите / Trikolyorite (The Tricolours)
Association	Bulgarian Football Union (BFU)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Ilian Iliev
Captain	Kiril Despodov
Most caps	Stiliyan Petrov (105)
Top scorer	Dimitar Berbatov Hristo Bonev (48)
Home stadium	Various
FIFA code	BUL
First colours Second colours Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current	82 (19 December 2024)
Highest	8 (June 1995)
Lowest	96 (May 2012)
First international
Austria 6–0 Bulgaria  (Vienna, Austria; 21 May 1924)
Biggest win
Singapore 2–10 Bulgaria  (Singapore; 13 December 1956)
Biggest defeat
Spain 13–0 Bulgaria  (Madrid, Spain; 21 May 1933)
World Cup
Appearances	7 (first in 1962)
Best result	Fourth place (1994)
European Championship
Appearances	2 (first in 1996)
Best result	Group stage (1996, 2004)
Medal record Olympic Games 1968 Mexico City Team 1956 Melbourne Team Balkan Cup 1931 Bulgaria Team 1932 Yugoslavia Team 1973–76 Europe Team 1935 Bulgaria Team 1936 Romania Team 1933 Romania Team

The Bulgaria national football team (Bulgarian: Български национален отбор по футбол, romanized: Bǎlgarski natsionalen otbor po futbol) represents Bulgaria in men's international football, and is administered by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA.

Bulgaria's best achievements are reaching the final at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the fourth-place finish at the FIFA World Cup in 1994. Bulgaria have competed at a total of seven World Cups, debuting in 1962 and last appearing in 1998. In addition, they have participated in two European Championships, in 1996 and 2004, the latter marking their most recent major tournament appearance. The team has also competed at the Balkan Cup, winning three titles.

History

1922–1945: early history

The Bulgaria national football team was formed in 1922. In 1923, the Bulgarian Football Union was formed and the team's first match was held in Vienna on 21 May 1924, which resulted in a 6–0 defeat against Austria. Bulgaria also participated in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris a few days later.

After being unable to compete in the 1930 World Cup, the Bulgarian side did not qualify for any major tournament for nearly 30 years, narrowly falling short of qualification on numerous occasions. The national team had gone on a streak of finishing 2nd or 3rd in their qualifying groups along with proceeding to the play-offs, but in the end, failing to qualify. Despite their qualifying problems, the national team did manage to defeat many elite teams during memorable international friendlies during those years. It also seemed as if the only tournaments they managed to qualify for were smaller tournaments, such as the Balkan Cup, which they won three times (1931, 1932 and 1973–76), thus being the competition's second most successful team only behind Romania with four titles.

1960s and 1970s

Bulgaria qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history in 1962 and followed that up with consecutive appearances in 1966, 1970 and 1974. The team, however, did not have much success and finished in third place in their group two out of the four times.

Bulgaria took part in qualifiers for the European Championship in 1968 and went on to win their group with impressive wins over Norway, Sweden, and Portugal. Although they would go on to lose to the eventual champions and hosts Italy in a two-legged qualifying play-off.

At the 1968 Summer Olympics, the team won the silver medal. They finished first in Group D by defeating Thailand 7–0, Guatemala 2–1, and drawing 2–2 against Czechoslovakia. They advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Israel and then the semi-finals by defeating favored hosts Mexico. In the Olympic Final, the team was defeated by Hungary, in what many would say was a hard-fought match for both sides.

Despite winning the Balkan Cup twice in 1931 and 1932, the Bulgaria national team added two more trophies to their case as they went on to win the tournament in 1973 and 1976. In both 1973 and 1976, Bulgaria had used their previous World Cup experience to create a very tactical team. This paid off quite well, as they had many decisive victories over Hungary, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Poland, Albania and Romania. In fact, the team won the 1976 Balkan Cup by beating Romania in the two-legged final 1–0 and 3–2.

Bulgaria finally qualified for their first World Cup in 1962. Bulgaria was drawn in a tough group with elite opponents in England, powerhouse Argentina and Hungary. Bulgaria opened up their campaign with a narrow 0–1 loss to Argentina. Later on, Bulgaria would lose their second group match by a 6–1 score to Hungary. Bulgaria's hopes of qualifying were over, but the national team impressively drew with England (who would host and win the next tournament) 0–0 and finished fourth in the group with only one point.

Bulgaria qualified for their second straight World Cup, drawn into an even tougher group compared to the previous World Cup. They were placed in the group of death with superpowers Hungary, Portugal and Brazil, with Pelé at the helm. Bulgaria opened their campaign match with a 0–2 loss to Brazil thanks to two free kick goals by Pelé and Garrincha. In their second match Bulgaria loss 0–3 to Eusebio's Portugal. Finally, Bulgaria with no chance of advancing to the next round, finished their last match with a 1–3 loss to Hungary. Bulgaria once again finished fourth with zero points in the group.

After their poor World Cup performance, Bulgaria was determined to redeem themselves. Bulgaria was drawn in a very tough group for qualifying, with Norway and Sweden, along with Eusebio's Portugal. Bulgaria started off with a 4–2 win over Norway. They would add to their winning streak with a 2–0 victory against Sweden. In their next two matches Bulgaria would draw 0–0 against Norway, and dominate Sweden 3–0. In their final two group fixtures Bulgaria played Portugal to a 1–0 victory at home and an 0–0 draw on the road, but it was enough to advance to the two-legged qualifying play-off. There Bulgaria were drawn against eventual Euro 1968 host Italy. Italy were defeated in the first leg 3–2, but won the second by a 0–2 score to advance 4–3 on aggregate. Italy would win the playoff and go on to win the tournament, while Bulgaria was eliminated from reaching the finals.

A month and a half after the European Championship qualifying came the Olympics, which Bulgaria had qualified for the fifth time in their history. They were drawn in a simple group with Thailand, Guatemala and Czechoslovakia. Bulgaria started off with a 7–0 thrashing of Thailand. They later went on and drew with Czechoslovakia 2–2 to increase their point standards. Their final match once again determined if they would carry on to the quarter-finals. Needing a decisive win, Bulgaria went on to defeat Guatemala 2–1 and win their Olympic group. They qualified directly to the quarter-finals facing underdogs, Israel. The game remained 1–1 for most of the match until a drawing of lots determined who would go on to the semi-finals of the tournament. Winning the draw Bulgaria advanced to the semi-finals against Mexico. After a very hard-fought match, Bulgaria proved stronger as they came out on top with a 3–2 victory. Bulgaria advanced to the finals for the first time in their Olympic history. They were determined to win the gold medal, but fell short with a 1–4 loss to Hungary. Although battling hard, Bulgaria came out with the silver medal.

Bulgaria qualified for their third straight World Cup, held in Mexico, just like the 1968 Olympics. They were drawn in a very tricky group with Germany, Peru and Morocco. Bulgaria played their first match against Peru, losing 3–2. Germany won Bulgaria's second match, 5–2. The last group stage match ended 1–1; Bulgaria ended up in 3rd place.

The 1974 World Cup was held in West Germany. They were drawn in a decently tough group, with the Netherlands, Sweden and Uruguay. Bulgaria started off with a goalless draw with Sweden. They drew again, this time 1–1 with Uruguay. As the final match came, Bulgaria fell by a 4–1 score. Bulgaria remained in third place in the group stages.

1986–2000

Bulgaria qualified for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico by finishing second in Group Four, behind France with 11 points, but ahead of powerful rivals Yugoslavia and East Germany. This was their fifth World Cup appearance. They were drawn in Group A with Italy, Argentina, and South Korea. In the opening match of the World Cup, the Bulgarians held the defending champions Italy to an impressive 1–1 draw. Alessandro Altobelli gave the Italians the lead, but an 85th-minute equalizer by Nasko Sirakov gave the Bulgarians the point they needed. The next match was another 1–1 draw against South Korea with the goal for Bulgaria coming from Plamen Getov in the 11th minute. They lost the final match of the group 2–0 against Argentina, who eventually won the tournament. Despite not recording a win, the Bulgarians advanced to the knockout stage by being the third-best third-placed team. By doing so, Bulgaria along with Uruguay became the first nations to qualify for the knockout stage without winning a game in the first round. In the Round of 16, they faced World Cup hosts Mexico, who were looking for revenge due to their previous home Olympic semi-final loss to Bulgaria in Mexico City in 1968. The match was hard-fought from both sides of the scale but ultimately, Mexico came away with the 2–0 win.

Certainly one of the most important dates in Bulgarian football history is 17 November 1993, a date on which Emil Kostadinov scored a deciding goal in the 90th minute to beat France in Paris, allowing Bulgaria to qualify for the World Cup in the United States in 1994. Under the management of Dimitar Penev, the Bulgarians, led by players such as Hristo Stoichkov, Yordan Lechkov, and Krasimir Balakov, along with a multitude of other talented players remembered in Bulgaria as the "Golden Generation", made a strong impression by surprisingly reaching the semi-finals. They entered a very tough Group D with 1990 World Cup runners-up Argentina with Diego Maradona at the helm, African Nations Cup champions Nigeria, and Balkan rivals Greece. The first match ended with a 3–0 defeat to Nigeria. Despite the bad start, the team made quite a huge statement by winning 4–0 against their Greece - their first ever win in a World Cup - and increasing their goal difference. Their third and final match came against Argentina. The powerful Bulgarian side came away with a shocking 2–0 victory. Going into injury-time, Argentina was leading the group. A 91st-minute strike from Nasko Sirakov, however, meant that they'd drop two places and finish third.

Bulgaria continued to the round of 16, where they faced Mexico. Stoichkov opened the scoring in the sixth minute with an incredible strike off a break away from outside the box, tallying his fourth goal. The match ended 1–1 and after no goals were scored in extra time, penalties decided which team would go through. Team captain Borislav Mihaylov saved the first three penalty kicks in a row, breaking the World Cup record. Bulgaria won 3–1 on penalties. In the quarter-finals, Bulgaria faced the defending world champions Germany. At the start of the match held in Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Bulgarians dominated impressively, hitting the post twice in the process, but eventually found themselves behind after Lothar Matthäus scored the opening goal for the Germans. The Bulgarians, however, managed to turn the game over with a swerving free kick by Hristo Stoichkov and a flying header by Yordan Lechkov, giving them a 2–1 win. In the semi-finals, they controversially lost 2–1 to Italy. Stoichkov scored Bulgaria's only goal in the first half to tally his seventh goal, which led the tournament. In the second half, Bulgaria were waved off on a non-penalty call in which an Italian defender had clearly committed a handball in the box, off a Kostadinov cross. Instead of playing in the final, it became a third place play-off. Bulgaria lost against Sweden 4–0, but the fourth-place finish was Bulgaria's best performance in history to that point.

Hristo Stoichkov was awarded the Golden Boot shared with Oleg Salenko as the top scorer in the tournament with his six goals. Krasimir Balakov was named in the 1994 World Cup Dream Team along with Stoichkov. Later on in December, Stoichkov was awarded the 1994 Ballon d'Or trophy for his great skill and leadership, becoming the first Bulgarian and third Barcelona player to win it in history.

In 1996, the team qualified for the European Football Championship for the first time. They were drawn in Group B with France, Spain, and Romania. Bulgaria started with a 1–1 draw against the Spain. Stoichkov scored his second goal with a wonderful volley, ruled offside. Bulgaria defeated Romania 1–0 in the next group stage match. Stoichkov scored in the third minute. In the final group match, the Bulgarian side lost 3–1 against France; Stoichkov scored a free kick to give Bulgaria their only goal of the game, along with their only loss. At the same time, Spain defeated Romania 2–1, and Bulgaria were eliminated.

Bulgaria qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France by finishing first in Group 5, with decisive wins over Russia. They entered the competition with new manager Hristo Bonev. Bulgaria drew Spain, Nigeria, and Paraguay in Group D. The first match ended decently, in a goalless draw against eventual group runners up Paraguay. In the second match, the Bulgarians lost 1–0 for a second-straight World Cup to Nigeria. The final match ended with a 6–1 defeat to Spain. Following the bad results, Bulgaria finished fourth in the group, with only one point. This was the last World Cup appearance for Bulgaria.

Bulgaria was drawn in a tough qualifying group with teams England, Sweden, and Poland. The campaign started slow with a draw and a defeat by Poland and Sweden. The most memorable match for Bulgaria in the group was the 1–1 draw against England, which was also the last match for Stoichkov before his international retirement. Bulgaria finished fourth with eight points and failed to make the final stages of Euro 2000.

Early 21st century

Bulgaria was once again drawn into a tough group with Denmark and Czech Republic. The group was also the debut of Bulgaria's top scoring legend Dimitar Berbatov. Bulgaria won the matches against the weaker teams, but lost once and drew once with both Denmark and the Czech Republic. Bulgaria finished third with 17 points, three points behind second-placed Czech Republic, thus failing to make the World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

Bulgaria managed to qualify for the Euro 2004 in Portugal by finishing first with wins over Croatia and Belgium. They drew Sweden, Italy, and Denmark in Group C. All three group stage matches ended up in losses for Bulgaria, with Martin Petrov being the team's lone scorer in the country's 1–2 loss to Italy.

Bulgaria failed to qualify for the World Cup in Germany after a run of poor results. They tied with Sweden and Croatia the first run but lost the other meetings to the two sides. Although Berbatov scored many goals in the qualifiers including a last-minute equalizer against Croatia, Bulgaria still finished third in qualifying with 15 points.

Bulgaria found themselves in a minor tournament in Japan known as the Kirin Cup. They started off well with a 2–1 victory over the hosts Japan. However, Bulgaria lost 5–1 to Scotland, the eventual cup champions. Bulgaria finished as the runners-up and received the silver medal.

Group G of Euro 2008 qualification had Netherlands, Romania, and Bulgaria attempting to qualify for Euro 2008, hosted by Switzerland and Austria. Bulgaria performed well after a run of good results against Romania which gave them the first place. Bulgaria finished third in the group falling short on one point behind the Netherlands.

Bulgaria were drawn against Italy and Ireland in qualifying in Group 8. Bulgaria started the campaign with a series of draws. Manager Plamen Markov was replaced by Stanimir Stoilov in January 2009. The Bulgarians then recorded their first wins of the group over Cyprus, Montenegro and Georgia. They finished in third place with 14 points, therefore failing to qualify to a play-off spot.

Bulgaria were drawn in Group G along with England, Switzerland, Wales, and Montenegro. Bulgaria finished in last place in the group.

In the qualification phase for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Bulgaria were placed in Group B together with the teams of Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Armenia and Malta. Under the guidance of former player Lyuboslav Penev as head coach, Bulgaria enjoyed a revival and some noteworthy performances in friendly matches before the start of the qualifying, including a 2–1 victory over 2010 World Cup runners-up Netherlands in Amsterdam. The qualifying began with a 2–2 draw against Euro 2012 runners-up Italy. Bulgaria then edged a tight match against Armenia, which ended 1–0. Next, Bulgaria drew 1–1 against Denmark. Four days later, Bulgaria earned a hard-fought 0–0 draw away to the Czech Republic. As a result, the team climbed from 96th in the FIFA World Rankings, their lowest position in history, to 40th in November 2012.

Penev's players hosted and defeated Malta 6–0 under heavy snowfall. Four days later, Bulgaria drew Denmark 1–1 in Copenhagen. This result left Bulgaria second in the group with 10 points, still undefeated. Bulgaria traveled to Italy, losing 1–0. After a series of poor results, Bulgaria ended up failing to qualify for Brazil 2014.

Bulgaria were placed in a group with Italy, Croatia, Norway, Azerbaijan, and Malta. Bulgaria opened up their first match with a 2–1 victory over Azerbaijan. They were defeated 1–0 by Croatia, following another 2–1 defeat to Norway. To make it worse, Bulgaria drew with Malta 1–1 at home, which would cost manager Lyuboslav Penev his position. He was replaced by Ludogorets Razgrad manager Ivaylo Petev.

On his debut match, Petev's squad drew Romania 0-0; this later led to a 2–2 draw with Italy, which Bulgaria led until a last-minute Italian equalizer. Bulgaria defeated Malta 1–0 to edge two points ever closer to the third place playoff position. After a series of losses, Bulgaria failed to qualify for Euro 2016 in France despite a 2–0 defeat of Azerbaijan.

Bulgaria were drawn in a strong World Cup qualification group with the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Belarus and Luxembourg. They began with a 4–3 win against Luxembourg at home. This was followed by heavy losses to France (4–1) and Sweden (3–0). In November 2016, the Lions beat Belarus in Sofia 1–0, and then put up one of their best performances in recent years, beating the Netherlands 2–0 to move into third place in the group. Bulgaria then beat the group leaders Sweden 3–2 in Sofia to move one point behind their opponents in the table. However, they lost the match against the Netherlands at the Amsterdam Arena 3–1. A 1–0 defeat at home to France and a 1–1 draw in Luxembourg ended their chances of qualifying.

2018–present

Bulgaria were drawn in UEFA Nations League C with Norway, Slovenia and Cyprus. Bulgaria opened up the campaign with a 2–1 win over Slovenia and a clean sheet against Norway. The Norwegians eventually avenged their loss to Bulgaria, resulting in a tie for first place. Bulgaria eventually closed out the second round of games with two 1–1 draws against Slovenia and Cyprus, resulting in a second-place finish.

Bulgaria was drawn in Group A with England, Czech Republic, Montenegro and Kosovo. The team began the qualifying campaign with a 1–1 home draw against Montenegro and a 1–1 away draw to Kosovo while losing three major players due to injuries. They later carried on with two more losses which sparked the end of their group campaign. Despite finishing in fourth place, the national side had one more opportunity to qualify for the Euros thanks to the good performance in the Nations League. It sent Bulgaria to the Path A qualifying play-offs, which also included Hungary, Iceland and Romania.

The draw put Bulgaria against Hungary in their first play-off match on their quest to qualify for a major competition since 2004. However, in front of limited number of home fans, Bulgaria fell 1–3 to Hungary, and was eliminated from the tournament.

After appointing Georgi Dermendzhiev as their new head coach, Bulgaria began their brief promotion in League B. Being drawn into Group 4 with Wales, Finland and Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria played its first match against Ireland. A near victory for the Bulgarians until a 90th minute injury time equalizer sealed the draw for the Irish. Bulgaria would then play away to Wales, where they held the hosts leveled 0–0 until another 90th minute injury time goal that resulted in 0–1 loss. The problems would continue with another set of narrow losses to Finland and Wales, forcing Bulgaria to miss out on promotion to League A. With two more matches left, Bulgaria finished winless against Finland and Ireland, relegating the Lions to League C.

Yasen Petrov was hired as the coach prior to the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup. Bulgaria began the campaign horribly, losing at home 1–3 to Switzerland and 0–2 to Italy. The team somewhat improved in the next two games, drawing away at Northern Ireland and Italy, the reigning European champions. Bulgaria then beat Lithuania 1–0 at home, but lost 1–3 away against the same team, ending their hopes for qualification. A 2–1 home win against Northern Ireland was only a brief moment of rejoice before a heavy 0–4 defeat to Switzerland ended a largely miserable attempt for qualifying.

Bulgaria was allocated to League C for the League of Nations season, after relegation from the previous edition. Bulgaria's opponents were drawn to be North Macedonia, Georgia and Gibraltar. The campaign began with a 1–1 draw against North Macedonia at home, followed by a heavy 2–5 loss against Georgia at home. Yasen Petrov handed his resignation following the game. Georgi Ivanov was appointed as interim manager for the next two games against Gibraltar and Georgia. Another shameful performance followed, when the Lions drew 1–1 in Gibraltar, which was one of only few times that the Gibraltar national team had not lost a competitive game in its history. In Georgia, Bulgaria drew 0–0, extending the winless streak to four games. During the one month pause of the tournament, Serbian Mladen Krstajić was appointed as manager. Under his reins, Bulgaria recorded two wins against Gibraltar at home and North Macedonia away, eventually finishing second in the group. The game against North Macedonia was particularly intense, due to rising political tensions between the two countries at that time. The Bulgarian national anthem was heavily booed, followed by multiple provocations from both Macedonian fans and players aimed at the Bulgarian team.

Team image

Bulgaria's traditional colours are white, green and red, taken from the colours of the country's flag. This tricolour is reflected through the use of white shirts, green shorts, and red socks. The team's away kits have usually been red.

Their nickname is The Lions, in tribute of the lions represented in the coat of arms of Bulgaria.

Colours Bulgarian tri-color flagCoat of arms of Bulgaria

Kit sponsorship Supplier Period Adidas 1974–1994 Puma 1995–2010 Kappa 2011–2014 Joma 2015–2022 Macron 2023–

Ultras and controversy

See also: Racism in association football

In recent years, ultras of the Bulgarian team have developed a reputation for racism. After racist chanting and monkey noises directed at Ashley Young, Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott during a qualifier for Euro 2012, the Bulgarian Football Union was fined €40,000 by UEFA. The BFU denied that racism would be an issue during Euro 2020 qualifiers, claiming that the issue was worse in England. Nevertheless, Bulgarian ultras were accused of racist chants during their matches against Czech Republic, Kosovo and England. As a result, part of the Bulgarian stadium was closed off for the match against England (October 2019), and officials twice halted the game under the UEFA anti-racism protocol. In the following days since the match took place, Bulgarian police identified 15 fans they suspected were responsible for subjecting black English players including Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Tyrone Mings to racist abuse, arresting six of them.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin condemned the alleged abuse calling on the "football family and governments" to "wage war on the racists". Disciplinary proceedings have been launched against both Bulgaria and England.

Home stadium

Traditionally, the Bulgaria national football team's home stadium is the Vasil Levski National Stadium with a capacity of 44,000. The stadium was officially opened in 1953 and reconstructed in 1966 and 2002. It is the second largest stadium in Bulgaria, behind the Plovdiv Stadium with a capacity of 55,000. During the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, the stadium was used for Levski Sofia matches with Barcelona, Chelsea, and Werder Bremen. Similarly, Ludogorets Razgrad used it as their main home venue for their European matches until the 2017–18 season. The Bulgaria national team's home matches, Bulgarian Cup finals and the Eternal derby of Bulgaria are held at the venue, as well as athletics competitions.

The Huvepharma Arena in Razgrad has been occasionally hosting the national team's matches since 2018. Opened in 1954 and renovated in 2011, the stadium has a capacity of 10,422.

Recently, the national team relocated to the freshly renovated Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv, with a capacity of 18,777.

• Vasil Levski National Stadium
• Hristo Botev Stadium

Results and fixtures

Main article: Bulgaria national football team results (2020–present)

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   Fixture

2024

Tanzania  v  Bulgaria

22 March 2024 FIFA Series	Tanzania	0–1	Bulgaria	Baku, Azerbaijan
15:00 UTC+4		Report	Despodov 52'	Stadium: Dalga Arena Attendance: 154 Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)

Azerbaijan  v  Bulgaria

25 March 2024 FIFA Series	Azerbaijan	1–1	Bulgaria	Baku, Azerbaijan
18:00 UTC+4	Qurbanlı 87'	Report	Krastev 59'	Stadium: Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium Attendance: 3,220 Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)

Romania  v  Bulgaria

4 June Friendly	Romania	0–0	Bulgaria	Bucharest, Romania
21:30 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Stadionul Steaua Attendance: 19,024 Referee: Atilla Karaoğlan (Turkey)

Slovenia  v  Bulgaria

8 June Friendly	Slovenia	1–1	Bulgaria	Ljubljana, Slovenia
15:00 UTC+2	Šporar 14'	Report	Despodov 4' (pen.)	Stadium: Stožice Stadium Attendance: 11,037 Referee: Arda Kardeşler (Turkey)

Belarus  v  Bulgaria

5 September UEFA Nations League C	Belarus	0–0	Bulgaria	Zalaegerszeg, Hungary
20:45 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: ZTE Arena Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors) Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (Romania)

Bulgaria  v  Northern Ireland

8 September UEFA Nations League C	Bulgaria	1–0	Northern Ireland	Plovdiv, Bulgaria
19:00 UTC+3	Despodov 40'	Report		Stadium: Hristo Botev Stadium Attendance: 14,300 Referee: Tasos Sidiropoulos (Greece)

Bulgaria  v  Luxembourg

12 October UEFA Nations League C	Bulgaria	0–0	Luxembourg	Plovdiv, Bulgaria
19:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Hristo Botev Stadium Attendance: 15,800 Referee: David Šmajc (Slovenia)

Northern Ireland  v  Bulgaria

15 October UEFA Nations League C	Northern Ireland	5–0	Bulgaria	Belfast, Northern Ireland
19:45 UTC+1	Price 15', 29', 81' Mitov 32' (o.g.) Magennis 89'	Report		Stadium: Windsor Park Attendance: 17,891 Referee: Jérôme Brisard (France)

Luxembourg  v  Bulgaria

15 November UEFA Nations League C	Luxembourg	0–1	Bulgaria	Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+1		Report	Kraev 23'	Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg Attendance: 8,307 Referee: Juri Frischer (Estonia)

Bulgaria  v  Belarus

18 November UEFA Nations League C	Bulgaria	1–1	Belarus	Sofia, Bulgaria
21:45 UTC+2	Panayotov 12'	Report	Kavalyow 70'	Stadium: Vasil Levski National Stadium Attendance: 2,200 Referee: Allard Lindhout (Netherlands)

2025

Bulgaria  v  Republic of Ireland

20 March UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs	Bulgaria	v	Republic of Ireland	Plovdiv, Bulgaria
21:45 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Hristo Botev Stadium

Republic of Ireland  v  Bulgaria

23 March UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs	Republic of Ireland	v	Bulgaria	Dublin, Republic of Ireland
19:45 UTC±0		Report		Stadium: Aviva Stadium

Bulgaria  v TBC

6–7 June 2025 Friendly

Bulgaria

v

TBC

Bulgaria  v TBC

9–10 June 2025 Friendly

Bulgaria

v

TBC

Bulgaria  v  Spain or  Netherlands

4 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Bulgaria	v	Spain or  Netherlands	Bulgaria
21:45 UTC+3		Report

Georgia  v  Bulgaria

7 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Georgia	v	Bulgaria	Georgia
17:00 UTC+4		Report

Bulgaria  v  Turkey

11 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Bulgaria	v	Turkey	Bulgaria
21:45 UTC+3		Report

Spain  or Netherlands  v  Bulgaria

14 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Spain  or Netherlands	v	Bulgaria	TBD
20:45 UTC+2		Report

Turkey  v  Bulgaria

15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Turkey	v	Bulgaria	Turkey
20:00 UTC+3		Report

Bulgaria  v  Georgia

18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification	Bulgaria	v	Georgia	Bulgaria
21:45 UTC+2		Report

Coaching staff

Role	Name
Head Coach	Ilian Iliev
Assistant Coach	Petar Kostadinov
Assistant Coach	Georgi Donkov
Goalkeeping Coach	Zdravko Zdravkov
Analyst	Atanas Ribarski
Fitness Coach	Yasen Lyubenov
Recovery Coach	Nikola Izpoldzhiyski
GPS Analyst	Alex Mihalev
Doctor	Zdravko Taralov

Coaching history

• Leopold Nitsch (1922–1924)
• Willibald Stejskal (1925–1926)
• Pavel Grozdanov (1927–1930)
• Carl Nemes (1930–1931)
• Otto Feist (1931–1932)
• Pavel Grozdanov (1932–1933)
• Károly Fogl (1934–1935)
• Nikola Kalkandzhiev (1935–1936)
• Ivan Batandzhiev (1936)
• Geno Mateev (1936–1937)
• Stanislav Toms (1937–1938)
• Kostantin Maznikov (1938–1939)
• Ivan Radoev (1939–1940)
• Franz Köhler (1940–1941)
• Ivan Radoev (1941–1942)
• Ivan Batandzhiev (1943–1945)
• Todor Konov (1945–1946)
• Mihail Manov (1947)
• Ivan Radoev (1947)
• Rezső Somlai (1947–1948)
• Lubomir Angelov (1948)
• Andor Hajdú (1948–1949)
• Ivan Radoev (1950)
• Lubomir Angelov (1950)
• Andor Hajdú (1950)
• Lubomir Angelov (1950–1953)
• Stoyan Ormandzhiev (1950–1953)
• Krum Milev (1954–1960)
• Georgi Pachedzhiev (1955–1962)
• Stoyan Ormandzhiev (1963)
• Béla Volentik (1963–1965)
• Rudolf Vytlačil (1965–1966)
• Dobromir Tashkov (1966–1967)
• Stefan Bozhkov (1967–1970)
• Vasil Spasov (1970–1972)
• Hristo Mladenov (1972–1974)
• Stoyan Ormandzhiev (1974–1977)
• Tsvetan Ilchev (1978–1980)
• Atanas Purzhelov (1980–1982)
• Ivan Vutsov (1982–1986)
• Hristo Mladenov (1986–1987)
• Boris Angelov (1988–1989)
• Ivan Vutsov (1989–1991)
• Dimitar Penev (1991–1996)
• Hristo Bonev (1996–1998)
• Dimitar Dimitrov (1998–1999)
• Stoycho Mladenov (2000–2001)
• Plamen Markov (2002–2004)
• Hristo Stoichkov (2004–2007)
• Stanimir Stoilov (2007)
• Dimitar Penev (2007)
• Plamen Markov (2007–2008)
• Stanimir Stoilov (2009–2010)
• Lothar Matthäus (2010–2011)
• Mihail Madanski (2011)
• Lyuboslav Penev (2011–2014)
• Ivaylo Petev (2015–2016)
• Petar Hubchev (2016–2019)
• Krasimir Balakov (2019)
• Georgi Dermendzhiev (2019–2020)
• Yasen Petrov (2021–2022)
• Georgi Ivanov (2022)
• Mladen Krstajić (2022–2023)
• Ilian Iliev (2023–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the UEFA Nations League games against Luxembourg and Belarus on 15 and 18 November 2024.

Caps and goals as of 18 November 2024, after the match against Belarus.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Dimitar Mitov	(1997-01-22) 22 January 1997 (age 27)	9	0	Aberdeen
21	1GK	Svetoslav Vutsov	(2002-07-09) 9 July 2002 (age 22)	6	0	Slavia Sofia
23	1GK	Plamen Iliev	(1991-11-30) 30 November 1991 (age 33)	19	0	Cherno More
2	2DF	Viktor Popov	(2000-03-05) 5 March 2000 (age 24)	21	0	Cherno More
3	2DF	Zhivko Atanasov	(1991-02-03) 3 February 1991 (age 33)	12	0	Cherno More
4	2DF	Nikolay Minkov	(1997-08-13) 13 August 1997 (age 27)	0	0	Botev Plovdiv
5	2DF	Aleks Petkov	(1999-07-25) 25 July 1999 (age 25)	15	0	Śląsk Wrocław
6	2DF	Valentin Antov	(2000-11-09) 9 November 2000 (age 24)	32	1	Cremonese
13	2DF	Fabian Nürnberger	(1999-07-28) 28 July 1999 (age 25)	5	0	Darmstadt 98
15	2DF	Simeon Petrov	(2000-01-12) 12 January 2000 (age 24)	9	0	Śląsk Wrocław
	2DF	Petko Hristov	(1999-03-01) 1 March 1999 (age 25)	19	0	Spezia
	2DF	Hristiyan Petrov	(2002-06-24) 24 June 2002 (age 22)	5	0	Heerenveen
8	3MF	Andrian Kraev	(1999-02-14) 14 February 1999 (age 25)	10	1	Casa Pia
14	3MF	Filip Krastev	(2001-10-15) 15 October 2001 (age 23)	22	1	PEC Zwolle
16	3MF	Marin Petkov	(2003-10-02) 2 October 2003 (age 21)	12	2	Levski Sofia
17	3MF	Georgi Milanov	(1992-02-19) 19 February 1992 (age 32)	49	2	Dinamo București
18	3MF	Vasil Panayotov	(1990-07-16) 16 July 1990 (age 34)	5	1	Cherno More
22	3MF	Ilian Iliev Jr.	(1999-08-20) 20 August 1999 (age 25)	17	0	CSKA Sofia
7	4FW	Georgi Rusev	(1998-07-02) 2 July 1998 (age 26)	18	1	Ludogorets Razgrad
9	4FW	Aleksandar Kolev	(1992-12-08) 8 December 1992 (age 32)	11	0	Levski Sofia
10	4FW	Radoslav Kirilov	(1992-06-29) 29 June 1992 (age 32)	20	2	CSKA 1948
11	4FW	Martin Minchev	(2001-04-22) 22 April 2001 (age 23)	22	0	Çaykur Rizespor
12	4FW	Lukas Petkov	(2000-11-01) 1 November 2000 (age 24)	5	0	Elversberg
19	4FW	Ahmed Ahmedov	(1995-03-04) 4 March 1995 (age 29)	4	0	Shimizu S-Pulse
20	4FW	Stanislav Ivanov	(1999-04-16) 16 April 1999 (age 25)	5	0	Arda

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Bulgarian squad within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Ivan Dyulgerov	(1999-07-15) 15 July 1999 (age 25)	6	0	CSKA Sofia	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
DF	Ivan Turitsov	(1999-07-18) 18 July 1999 (age 25)	19	0	CSKA Sofia	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
DF	Angel Lyaskov	(1998-03-16) 16 March 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Lokomotiv Plovdiv	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
DF	Anton Nedyalkov	(1993-04-30) 30 April 1993 (age 31)	29	0	Ludogorets Razgrad	v.  Romania, 4 June 2024
DF	Patrik-Gabriel Galchev	(2001-04-14) 14 April 2001 (age 23)	6	0	Levski Sofia	v.  Azerbaijan, 25 March 2024
DF	Andrey Yordanov	(2001-09-06) 6 September 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Botev Plovdiv	v.  Azerbaijan, 25 March 2024
MF	Ivaylo Chochev	(1993-02-18) 18 February 1993 (age 31)	46	4	Ludogorets Razgrad	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
MF	Georgi Kostadinov	(1990-09-07) 7 September 1990 (age 34)	44	3	APOEL	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
MF	Ivan Minchev	(1991-05-28) 28 May 1991 (age 33)	2	0	Slavia Sofia	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
MF	Ilia Gruev	(2000-05-06) 6 May 2000 (age 24)	18	0	Leeds United	v.  Luxembourg, 12 October 2024
MF	Todor Nedelev	(1993-02-07) 7 February 1993 (age 31)	44	5	Ludogorets Razgrad	v.  Romania, 4 June 2024
MF	Yoni Stoyanov	(2001-05-22) 22 May 2001 (age 23)	9	0	Hapoel Be'er Sheva	v.  Azerbaijan, 25 March 2024
MF	Dimitar Tonev	(2001-10-15) 15 October 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Botev Plovdiv	v.  Azerbaijan, 25 March 2024
FW	Kiril Despodov (captain)	(1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 (age 28)	54	15	PAOK	v.  Belarus, 18 November 2024
FW	Georgi Minchev	(1995-04-20) 20 April 1995 (age 29)	13	1	Ümraniyespor	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
FW	Spas Delev	(1989-09-22) 22 September 1989 (age 35)	47	5	Lokomotiv Sofia	v.  Romania, 4 June 2024
FW	Zdravko Dimitrov	(1998-08-24) 24 August 1998 (age 26)	4	0	Bodrum	v.  Northern Ireland, 15 October 2024
FW	Svetoslav Kovachev	(1998-03-14) 14 March 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Akhmat Grozny	v.  Belarus, 5 September 2024
Notes = Player withdrew from the current squad due to injury. = Player withdrew from the current squad due to testing positively for COVID-19 or having to self-isolate because of it. = Not part of the squad due to U-21 call up. = Preliminary squad. = Player had announced retirement from international football. = Player is serving a suspension. = Player absent due to private circumstances. = Withdrawn.

Player records

As of 17 November 2019.

Players in bold text are still active with Bulgaria.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Stiliyan Petrov	105	8	1998–2011
2	Borislav Mihaylov	102	0	1983–1998
3	Hristo Bonev	96	48	1967–1979
4	Krasimir Balakov	92	16	1988–2003
5	Dimitar Penev	90	2	1965–1974
	Martin Petrov	90	19	1999–2011
	Ivelin Popov	90	18	2007–2019
8	Radostin Kishishev	88	1	1996–2009
9	Hristo Stoichkov	83	37	1986–1999
10	Zlatko Yankov	80	4	1990–1999

Top goalscorers

Hristo Bonev and Dimitar Berbatov are Bulgaria's joint all-time top scorers with 48 goals.

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Average	Career
1	Dimitar Berbatov	48	78	0.62	1999–2010
	Hristo Bonev	48	96	0.5	1967–1979
3	Hristo Stoichkov	37	83	0.45	1987–1999
4	Emil Kostadinov	27	70	0.39	1988–1998
5	Lyubomir Angelov	26	44	0.59	1931–1940
6	Petar Zhekov	25	44	0.57	1963–1972
	Ivan Kolev	25	75	0.33	1950–1963
8	Nasko Sirakov	24	78	0.31	1983–1996
9	Atanas Mihaylov	23	45	0.51	1970–1981
10	Dimitar Milanov	19	39	0.49	1948–1959
	Georgi Asparuhov	19	49	0.39	1962–1970
	Dinko Dermendzhiev	19	58	0.33	1966–1977
	Martin Petrov	19	90	0.21	1999–2011

Youngest debutants

As of 15 November 2021.

Results list Bulgaria's goal tally first.

Rank	Player	Age on debut	Opponent	Result	Year
1	Vladimir Todorov	15 years 08 months 14 days	Romania	2–3	1929
2	Aleksandar Belokapov	15 years 10 months 11 days	Germany	1–2	1939
3	Georgi Sokolov	16 years 10 months 24 days	Netherlands	3–2	1959
4	Radoslav Maznikov	17 years 02 months 12 days	Romania	0–3	1929
5	Nikola Staykov	17 years 07 months 28 days	Yugoslavia	1–3	1926
6	Nikolay Mihaylov	17 years 10 months 13 days	Scotland	1–5	2006
7	Martin Minchev	17 years 11 months 00 days	Montenegro	1–1	2019
8	Hristo Minkovski	17 years 11 months 17 days	Romania	0–3	1929
9	Nikola Savov	18 years 01 month 10 days	Hungary	1–4	1934
10	Krasimir Chomakov	18 years 01 month 12 days	Uzbekistan	0–0	1995

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

Main article: Bulgaria at the FIFA World Cup

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

FIFA World Cup record											Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930	Did not enter										Declined invitation
1934	Did not qualify										3	0	0	3	3	14
1938											2	0	1	1	1	7
1950	Did not enter										Declined participation
1954	Did not qualify										4	0	1	3	3	7
1958											4	2	0	2	11	7
1962	Group stage	15th	3	0	1	2	1	7	Squad		5	4	0	1	7	4
1966		15th	3	0	0	3	1	8	Squad		5	4	0	1	11	7
1970		13th	3	0	1	2	5	9	Squad		6	4	1	1	12	7
1974		12th	3	0	2	1	2	5	Squad		6	4	2	0	13	3
1978	Did not qualify										4	1	2	1	5	6
1982											8	4	1	3	11	10
1986	Round of 16	15th	4	0	2	2	2	6	Squad		8	5	1	2	13	5
1990	Did not qualify										6	1	1	4	6	8
1994	Fourth place	4th	7	3	1	3	10	11	Squad		10	6	2	2	19	10
1998	Group stage	29th	3	0	1	2	1	7	Squad		8	6	0	2	18	9
2002	Did not qualify										10	5	2	3	14	15
2006											10	4	3	3	17	17
2010											10	3	5	2	17	13
2014											10	3	4	3	14	9
2018											10	4	1	5	14	19
2022											8	2	2	4	6	14
2026	To be determined										To be determined
2030
2034
Total	Fourth place	7/22	26	3	8	15	22	53	—		137	62	29	46	215	191

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA European Championship

Main article: Bulgaria at the UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship record											Qualifying record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1960	Did not qualify										2	0	1	1	1	3
1964											5	3	0	2	7	7
1968											8	5	2	1	13	4
1972											6	3	1	2	11	7
1976											6	2	2	2	12	7
1980											8	2	1	5	6	14
1984											6	2	1	3	7	8
1988											8	4	2	2	12	6
1992											8	3	3	2	15	8
1996	Group stage	11th	3	1	1	1	3	4	Squad		10	7	1	2	24	10
2000	Did not qualify										8	2	2	4	6	8
2004	Group stage	16th	3	0	0	3	1	9	Squad		8	5	2	1	13	4
2008	Did not qualify										12	7	4	1	18	7
2012											8	1	2	5	3	13
2016											10	3	2	5	9	12
2020											9	1	3	5	7	20
2024											8	0	4	4	7	14
2028	To be determined										To be determined
2032
Total	Group stage	2/17	6	1	1	4	4	13	—		130	50	33	47	171	154

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Season	Division	Group	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	P/R	RK
2018–19	C	3	6	3	2	1	7	5		29th
2020–21	B	4	6	0	2	4	2	7		31st
2022–23	C	4	6	2	3	1	10	8		40th
2024–25	C	3	6	2	3	1	3	6	TBD
Total			24	7	10	7	22	26	29th

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
1908	Did not enter
1912
1920
1924	Round of 16	12th	1	0	0	1	0	1	Squad
1928	Did not enter
1936
1948
1952	Round of 16	13th	1	0	0	1	1	2	Squad
1956	Bronze medal	3rd	3	2	0	1	10	3	Squad
1960	Group stage	5th	3	2	1	0	8	3	Squad
1964	Did not qualify
1968	Silver medal	2nd	6	3	2	1	16	10	Squad
1972	Did not qualify
1976
1980
1984
1988
Since 1992	Olympic football has been an under-23 tournament
Total	1 Silver medal	5/17	14	7	3	4	35	19	—

Balkan Cup

Balkan Cup record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1929–31	Fourth place	4th	6	2	0	4	10	19
1931	Champions	1st	2	2	0	0	8	3
1932	Champions	1st	3	3	0	0	7	2
1933	Third place	3rd	3	1	0	2	2	11
1934–35	Fourth place	4th	3	1	0	2	7	8
1935	Runners-up	2nd	3	2	1	0	12	5
1936	Runners-up	2nd	2	1	0	1	6	8
1946	Fourth place	4th	3	0	1	2	4	7
1947	Fourth place	4th	4	1	0	3	5	14
1948*	Group stage	3rd	5	2	1	2	6	7
1973–76	Champions	1st	4	2	0	2	10	9
1977–80	Group stage	3rd	4	1	1	2	4	6
Total	3 Titles	12/12	42	18	4	20	81	99

*Competition abandoned with Bulgaria in third place.

Head-to-head record

As of 18 November 2024 after the match against  Belarus.

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponents	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Albania	15	7	4	4	17	12	+5
Algeria	6	3	2	1	9	6	+3
Andorra	2	2	0	0	5	1	+4
Argentina	9	1	0	8	6	18	−12
Armenia	2	1	0	1	2	2	0
Australia	4	2	2	0	8	4	+4
Austria	8	1	2	5	7	21	−14
Azerbaijan	5	3	2	0	7	3	+4
Belarus	10	5	2	3	13	8	+5
Belgium	14	6	2	6	20	23	−3
Bolivia	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2	1	0	1	2	2	0
Brazil	9	0	1	8	2	19	−17
Cameroon	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3
Canada	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Chile	1	0	0	1	2	3	−1
Croatia	9	1	2	6	6	18	−12
Cuba	1	1	0	0	5	2	+3
Cyprus	16	14	1	1	36	10	+26
Czech Republic	24	10	4	10	22	32	−10
Denmark	16	4	8	4	20	21	−1
East Germany	23	8	8	7	31	30	+1
Ecuador	2	1	0	1	3	4	−1
Egypt	7	2	2	3	8	9	−1
England	12	0	4	8	2	26	−24
Estonia	2	1	1	0	2	0	+2
Finland	10	7	1	2	20	7	+13
France	23	8	4	11	26	41	−15
Georgia	8	4	2	2	21	12	+9
Germany	24	4	2	18	28	62	−34
Gibraltar	3	2	1	0	9	2	+7
Greece	26	13	7	6	48	35	+13
Hungary	34	6	11	17	39	75	−36
Iceland	5	4	1	0	12	7	+5
India	1	1	0	0	3	0	+3
Indonesia	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4
Iran	2	0	1	1	1	2	−1
Israel	6	4	1	1	12	5	+7
Italy	23	2	9	12	19	42	−23
Jamaica	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
Japan	6	4	1	1	13	10	+3
Jordan	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2
Kazakhstan	2	2	0	0	4	2	+2
Kosovo	2	0	1	1	3	4	−1
Kuwait	5	2	3	0	9	6	+3
Latvia	3	3	0	0	6	0	+6
Lebanon	1	1	0	0	3	2	+1
Lithuania	5	2	1	2	6	6	0
Luxembourg	17	14	3	0	40	9	+31
Malta	14	11	3	0	45	6	+39
Mexico	12	2	6	4	11	14	−3
Moldova	2	2	0	0	7	1	+6
Montenegro	8	1	4	3	9	9	0
Morocco	6	1	3	2	5	10	−5
Netherlands	12	5	2	5	17	20	−3
New Caledonia	1	1	0	0	5	3	+2
Nigeria	2	0	0	2	0	4	−4
North Korea	3	3	0	0	12	1	+11
North Macedonia	9	5	2	2	9	4	+5
Northern Ireland	11	6	2	3	12	13	−1
Norway	16	7	4	5	27	16	+11
Oman	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Paraguay	2	0	1	1	0	1	−1
Peru	5	2	1	2	11	11	0
Poland	27	6	9	12	32	48	−16
Portugal	13	6	3	4	18	16	+2
Qatar	1	1	0	1	4	4	0
Republic of Ireland	13	3	6	4	10	15	−5
Romania	44	13	9	22	62	82	−20
Russia	28	3	11	14	23	42	−19
San Marino	2	2	0	0	7	0	+7
Saudi Arabia	3	2	0	1	3	1	+2
Scotland	6	0	3	3	4	10	−6
Serbia	37	9	8	20	53	74	−21
Singapore	1	1	0	0	10	2	+8
Slovakia	8	2	2	4	6	11	−5
Slovenia	5	3	2	0	9	3	+6
South Africa	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
South Korea	2	1	1	0	2	1	+1
Spain	9	1	3	5	15	31	−16
Sudan	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Sweden	16	3	2	11	11	31	−20
Switzerland	12	2	4	6	13	22	−9
Tanzania	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1
Thailand	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4
Tunisia	2	0	1	1	3	6	−3
Turkey	27	14	6	7	53	36	+17
Ukraine	6	0	3	3	3	8	−5
United Arab Emirates	6	5	0	1	14	4	+10
Uruguay	1	0	1	0	1	1	0
Wales	10	4	1	5	8	6	+2
Total (91)	800	291	204	305	1,122	1,175	−53

1. Includes matches against  Czechoslovakia.
2. Includes matches against  West Germany.
3. Includes matches against  Soviet Union.
4. Includes matches against  Yugoslavia and  Serbia and Montenegro.

Ranking history

See also: FIFA World Rankings

	Rank	Date
Best Rank	8	June 1995
Current Rank	82	December 2024
Worst Rank	96	May 2012

• FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Bulgaria (1992–2023)

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

As of 24 October 2024

Honours

Major competitions

• Olympic Games
  • Silver medal (1): 1968
  • Bronze medal (1): 1956

Regional

• Balkan Cup
  • Champions (3): 1931, 1932, 1976
  • Runners-up (2): 1935, 1936
  • Third place (1): 1933

Friendly

• Cyprus International Football Tournament
  • Champions (1): 2007
• FIFA Series: Azerbaijan
  • Champions (1): 2024

Summary

Competition				Total
FIFA World Cup	0	0	0	0
Olympic Games	0	1	1	2
UEFA European Championship	0	0	0	0
Total	0	1	1	2

See also

• Bulgaria national under-21 football team
• Bulgaria national under-19 football team
• Bulgaria national under-18 football team
• Bulgaria national under-17 football team

Notes

1. ^ Due to the Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarus are required to play their home matches at neutral venues, and behind closed doors, until further notice.

References

1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
2. Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
3. "1924 friendly Austria v Bulgaria". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
4. "Bulgaria-Luxembourg - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
5. "France-Bulgaria - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
6. "Sweden-Bulgaria - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
7. "Bulgaria-Belarus - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
8. "Bulgaria-Netherlands - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
9. "Bulgaria-Sweden - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
10. "Netherlands-Bulgaria - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
11. "Bulgaria-Montenegro - European Qualifiers". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
12. "Bulgaria-Hungary - Euro 2020 Qualifying Play-off Semi-final". Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
13. "Bulgaria-Republic of Ireland - 2020-21 Nations League B". Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
14. Fifield, Dominic (18 November 2011). "Bulgaria fined by Uefa after racist chanting against England". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
15. Aarons, Ed (13 October 2019). "Bulgaria's Krasimir Balakov says English game has more of an issue with racism". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
16. "Bulgaria v England: Euro 2020 qualifier halted twice due to racist behaviour from fans". BBC News. 15 October 2019. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
17. "Bulgaria v England: Police arrest six following racist abuse at Euro qualifier". 16 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
18. "Bulgaria v England: 'Football family' must 'wage war on the racists' says Uefa president". 15 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
19. "Bulgaria v England: 'Football family' must 'wage war on the racists' says Uefa president". 15 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
20. "Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
21. "Пълен състав на България "A" за мачовете с Люксембург и Беларус" [Complete squad of the Bulgaria national team for the games against Luxembourg and Belarus] (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
22. "Tanzania-Bulgaria | European Qualifiers 2024 | UEFA.com". UEFA. Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
23. "Most Bulgaria Caps - EU-Football.info". eu-football.info. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
24. Mamrud, Roberto. "Bulgaria - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
25. "World Football Elo Ratings: Bulgaria".
26. "FIFA-ranking yearly averages for Bulgaria". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.

External links

• Official website (in Bulgarian)
• Bulgaria FIFA profile
• Bulgaria UEFA profile
• Bulgarian football – history, teams, stadiums, fan clubs (archived 4 February 2007)
• RSSSF archive of results 1924–
• RSSSF archive of most capped players and highest goalscorers
• Planet World Cup archive of results in the World Cup
• Planet World Cup archive of squads in the World Cup
• Planet World Cup archive of results in the World Cup qualifiers

v t e Bulgaria national football team
General	Bulgarian Football Union History Head coaches
Venues	Vasil Levski National Stadium
Statistics	Ranking International head-to-head Honours
Results	1990–1999 2000–2019 2020–present
Players	Players Records Born abroad
World Cup	1962 1966 1970 1974 1986 1994 1998
Euro	1996 2004
Other BFU teams	U21 U19 U17 Women U19 U17 Futsal Beach soccer

v t e Football in Bulgaria
League competitions	First League Second League Third League (4 divisions) Regional Groups Bulgarian Women's League
Cup competitions	Bulgarian Cup Bulgarian Supercup Cup of AFL Bulgarian Women's Cup
Defunct competitions	State Championship (1924–1936, 1941–1945) Tsar's Cup (1924–44) National Football Division (1937–1940) Republic Championship (1945–1948) Cup of the Soviet Army (1983–90) BFU's Cup (1990–91) PFL's Cup (1994–97) Doubles Group (2008–2010) A Group (1948–2016)
National teams	Men Women Olympic team (U-23) Under-21 Under-19 Under-18 Under-17
Regional Amateur Football Groups	Blagoevgrad Burgas Dobrich Gabrovo Haskovo Kardzhali Kyustendil Lovech Montana Pazardzhik Pernik Pleven Plovdiv Razgrad Ruse Shumen Silistra Sliven Smolyan Sofia City Sofia (province) Stara Zagora Targovishte Varna Veliko Tarnovo Vidin Vratsa Yambol
Lists	Clubs Stadiums Foreign players National team results Clubs in European competitions Bulgarian club rivalries
Awards	Footballers' Footballer of the Year
BFU PFL

v t e National football teams of Europe (UEFA)
Active	Albania Andorra Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Faroe Islands Finland France Georgia Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Israel Italy Kazakhstan Kosovo Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia Northern Ireland Norway Poland Portugal Republic of Ireland Romania Russia San Marino Scotland Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine Wales
Defunct	Czechoslovakia East Germany Ireland (1882–1950) Saarland Soviet Union (CIS) Yugoslavia (FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro)

v t e National sports teams of Bulgaria
Badminton Baseball Basketball M MU-20 MU-18 MU-16 M3x3 W WU-20 WU-18 WU-16 Beach handball Beach soccer Cricket M W Field hockey Football M MU-21 MU-19 MU-18 MU-17 W WU-17 Futsal Goalball Handball M W Ice hockey M MU-20 MU-18 W WU-18 Korfball Rugby league Rugby union M W Softball W Speedway M Tennis M W X Volleyball M MU-21 MU-19 W WU-23 WU-21 WU-19 Water polo
Olympics Paralympics European Games

Categories:

• Bulgaria national football team
• European national association football teams
• Football in Bulgaria
• 1922 establishments in Bulgaria
• National sports teams established in 1922