North Macedonia national under-21 football team

Last updated
North Macedonia Under-21
Nickname(s) The Red Lions (Црвени лавови)
Association Football Federation of Macedonia
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Goran Stanić
Captain Mario Ilievski
Most caps Mario Ilievski (31)
Top scorer
Home stadium Petar Miloshevski TC
FIFA code MKD
Kit left arm macedonia1617h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body macedonia1617h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm macedonia1617h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts macedonia1617h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks macedonia1617h.png
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm macedonia1617a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body macedonia1617a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm macedonia1617a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts macedonia1617a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks macedonia1617a.png
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
First international
Unofficial
Flag of Macedonia (1992-1995).svg  Macedonia 7–0 Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia
(Skopje, 31 May 1994)
Official
Flag of Macedonia (1992-1995).svg  Macedonia 5–3 Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
(Kočani, 7 September 1994)
Biggest win
Unofficial
Flag of Macedonia (1992-1995).svg  Macedonia 7–0 Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia
(Skopje, 31 May 1994)
Official
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 7–1 Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands
(Skopje, 10 September 2019)
Biggest defeat
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  Macedonia 0–8 Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (1992-2006).svg  FR Yugoslavia
(Skopje, 7 September 1999)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2017 )
Best resultGroup stage, 2017

The North Macedonia national under-21 football team is a youth association football national team which represents North Macedonia at this age level and is a feeder team for the North Macedonia national football team. It was formerly known as the Macedonia national under-21 football team.

Contents

This team is for Macedonian players aged 21 or under at the start of a two-year UEFA European Under-21 Championship campaign, so players can be, and often are, up to 23 years old. Also in existence are teams for Under-20s (for non-UEFA tournaments), Under-19s and Under 17s. As long as they are eligible, players can play at any level, making it possible to play for the U21s, senior side and again for the U21s. It is also possible to play for one country at youth level and another at senior level (providing the player is eligible).

The under-21 age category came into existence with the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976. The Macedonia U21 team was formed following Macedonia's independence from SFR Yugoslavia in 1991 and is controlled by the Football Federation of North Macedonia (from 1976 to 1992 Macedonian players played for Yugoslavia U21). A 7–0 win in a friendly against Estonia played on 31 May 1994 was Macedonia U21s' first result. Four months later, Macedonia also had their first competitive match which ended in a 5–3 win against Denmark.

So far, the team has qualified for one final tournament, the one being the 2017 Euro U21 held in Poland for players born 1994 or later. They ended the tournament on the 11th position with 1 draw and 2 losses over the group stage.

UEFA U-21 Championship Record

UEFA U-21 Championship record UEFA U-21 Championship Qualification recordManager(s)
YearRoundPldWDLGFGAGDPldWDLGFGAGD
Flag of Spain.svg 1996 Did not qualify10406162711Jovo Nikushev
Flag of Romania.svg 1998 811631714 Zoran Smileski
Flag of Slovakia.svg 2000 810722523Perica Gruevski, Blagoja Kitanovski
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg 2002 1012761812Blagoja Kitanovski, Nikola Ilievski
Flag of Germany.svg 2004 801742319 Zharko Odjakov, Mirsad Jonuz
Flag of Portugal (official).svg 2006 122359189Mirsad Jonuz
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2007 4202660
Flag of Sweden.svg 2009 8233561
Flag of Denmark.svg 2011 802691910Mirsad Jonuz, Boban Babunski
Flag of Israel.svg 2013 833214151Boban Babunski
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg 2015 811641313Boban Babunski, Vujadin Stanojković
Flag of Poland.svg 2017 Group stage3012411710631137+6 Blagoja Milevski
Flag of Italy.svg Flag of San Marino.svg 2019 Did not qualify1021717247Blagoja Milevski, Dobrinko Ilievski
Flag of Hungary.svg Flag of Slovenia.svg 2021 105322012+8Blagoja Milevski
Flag of Romania.svg Flag of Georgia.svg 2023 102358157Blagoja Milevski, Dragi Kanatlarovski
Flag of Slovakia.svg 2025 104068157Dragi Kanatlarovski
Flag of Albania.svg Flag of Serbia.svg 2027 To be determinedGoran Stanikj
Total1/1530124117142362680144260116

2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Qualification

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of North Macedonia.svgFlag of France.svgFlag of Iceland.svgFlag of Ukraine.svgFlag of Scotland.svgUlster Banner.svg
1Flag of North Macedonia.svg  Macedonia 10631137+621 Final tournament 2–2 0–0 1–0 2–0 2–0
2Flag of France.svg  France 10622178+920 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–0
3Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 10532139+418 3–0 3–2 2–4 2–0 1–1
4Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 104241412+214 0–2 1–0 0–1 4–0 1–1
5Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 1022681798 0–1 1–2 0–0 2–2 3–1
6Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 10028618122 1–2 0–3 0–1 1–2 1–2
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers

Final tournament

Group stage

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 330091+89 Knockout stage
2Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 320175+26
3Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 30122531
4Flag of North Macedonia.svg  Macedonia 301241171
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Qualification

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Spain.svgFlag of North Macedonia.svgFlag of Israel.svgFlag of Kazakhstan.svgFlag of the Faroe Islands.svgFlag of Montenegro.svg
1Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 10910201+1928 Final tournament 3–0 3–0 3–0 2–0 2–0
2Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 105322012+818 0–1 1–1 1–1 7–1 2–1
3Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 103431214213 1–1 1–1 1–2 3–1 0–0
4Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 103161221910 0–1 1–4 1–2 2–3 0–4
5Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 103071125149 0–2 1–2 3–1 1–3 1–0
6Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 10217111327 0–2 1–2 1–2 1–2 3–0
Source: UEFA

2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Qualification

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of France.svgFlag of Ukraine.svgFlag of Serbia.svgFlag of the Faroe Islands.svgFlag of North Macedonia.svgFlag of Armenia.svg
1Flag of France.svg  France 10820315+2626 Final tournament 5–0 2–0 2–0 3–0 7–0
2Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 107212011+923 Play-offs 3–3 2–1 1–0 4–0 2–1
3Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 103341011112 0–3 0–1 0–0 2–1 2–0
4Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 10244612610 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–0
5Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 1023581579 0–1 1–1 0–0 0–1 3–1
6Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 10109728213 1–4 0–2 1–4 2–0 1–2
Source: UEFA

2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Qualification

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of the Netherlands.svgFlag of Georgia.svgFlag of Sweden.svgFlag of North Macedonia.svgFlag of Moldova.svgFlag of Gibraltar.svg
1Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 101000323+2930 Final tournament 3–1 3–0 5–0 3–0 1–0
2Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 106131410+419 Play-offs 0–3 0–0 2–1 3–0 2–0
3Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 105232510+1517 2–4 3–2 0–1 4–0 9–0
4Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 10406815712 0–2 0–1 0–2 2–1 1–0
5Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 10217720137 0–3 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–2
6Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar 10109331283 0–5 0–2 0–5 0–2 1–3
Source: UEFA

2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualificationFlag of Poland.svgFlag of Italy.svgFlag of Sweden.svgFlag of Montenegro.svgFlag of North Macedonia.svgFlag of Armenia.svg
1Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 220070+76 Final tournament 14 Nov 30 Sep '26 10 Oct 3–0 27 Mar '26
2Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 220031+26 Play-offs 5 Oct '26 10 Oct 2–1 26 Mar '26 14 Oct
3Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 210132+13 14 Oct 31 Mar '26 27 Mar '26 5 Oct '26 3–0
4Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 210132+13 31 Mar '26 18 Nov 2–0 14 Nov 5 Oct '26
5Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 20020440 18 Nov 0–1 13 Nov 30 Sep '26 10 Oct
6Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 20020770 0–4 30 Sep '26 18 Nov 14 Nov 31 Mar '26
Updated to match(es) played on 9 September 2025. Source: UEFA

Recent results and fixtures

Generation 2004+

DateVenueOpponentsScoreNorth Macedonia scorer(s)Report
Friendly matches
14 November 2024 Petar Miloševski Training Centre, Skopje, North MacedoniaFlag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 1–3Velichkovski Soccerball shade.svg16' ffm.mk
17 November 20240–1
21 March 2025Ekodizayn football complex, Antalya, TurkeyFlag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 1–3Stojanov Soccerball shade.svg81' ffm.mk
25 March 2025Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 0–0 ffm.mk
28 May 2025 Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, KosovoFlag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 0–0 ffm.mk
31 May 2025 Petar Miloševski Training Centre, Skopje, North Macedonia0–0 ffm.mk

Squad

Current squad

Squad named for the European Under-21 qualifiers against Poland and Italy on 5 and 9 September 2025. [1]
Caps and goals as of 10 September 2025, after both matches against Italy.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11 GK Vasko Vasilev (2004-04-16) 16 April 2004 (age 21)60 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Rabotnichki
121 GK Ljupche Djekov (2005-10-18) 18 October 2005 (age 19)50 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Sileks
221 GK Slave Vrgov (2006-01-18) 18 January 2006 (age 19)00 Flag of North Macedonia.svg AP Brera

32 DF Gjorge Djekov (2005-10-18) 18 October 2005 (age 19)130 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Sileks
52 DF Anes Meliqi (2006-01-09) 9 January 2006 (age 19)90 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Shkëndija
162 DF David Dailoski (2005-02-26) 26 February 2005 (age 20)60 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Venlo
182 DF Numan Ajetovikj (2006-03-18) 18 March 2006 (age 19)40 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Shkëndija
22 DF Xhezair Avduli (2004-06-20) 20 June 2004 (age 21)00 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Arsimi
42 DF Andrija Dimeski (2005-02-05) 5 February 2005 (age 20)00 Flag of Serbia.svg Voždovac

63 MF Matej Angelov (captain) (2004-07-11) 11 July 2004 (age 21)200 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Rabotnichki
83 MF Adrian Zendelovski (2005-02-06) 6 February 2005 (age 20)100 Flag of Sweden.svg Olympic
103 MF Martin Gjorgievski (2005-02-28) 28 February 2005 (age 20)80 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Zbrojovka Brno
213 MF Dimitar Danev (2006-05-23) 23 May 2006 (age 19)80 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Vardar
153 MF Teodor Nikolovski (2005-01-19) 19 January 2005 (age 20)70 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Rabotnichki
73 MF Matej Gashtarov (2006-11-15) 15 November 2006 (age 18)40 Flag of Serbia.svg Crvena Zvezda
193 MF Memetriza Hamza (2004-02-09) 9 February 2004 (age 21)40 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Struga
133 MF Muhamed Elmas (2006-01-31) 31 January 2006 (age 19)20 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Makedonija GP
143 MF Andrej Arizankoski (2005-05-08) 8 May 2005 (age 20)10 Flag of North Macedonia.svg AP Brera
233 MF Gjorgji Doshev (2005-02-03) 3 February 2005 (age 20)00 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Makedonija GP

114 FW Dimitar Trajkov (2004-08-08) 8 August 2004 (age 21)100 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Rabotnichki
174 FW Kire Stojanov (2005-08-28) 28 August 2005 (age 20)51 Flag of North Macedonia.svg AP Brera
204 FW Dashmir Elezi (2004-11-21) 21 November 2004 (age 20)40 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Rabotnichki
94 FW Mihail Talevski (2004-02-09) 9 February 2004 (age 21)20 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Vardar

Recent call-ups

Players that have been called up within the past 12 months and are eligible for the 2027 European U21 Football Championship Qualifiers.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Stefan Jovanoski (2006-02-17) 17 February 2006 (age 19)10 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Viktoria Žižkov v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024

DF Marko Stojilevski (2005-10-24) 24 October 2005 (age 19)10 Flag of North Macedonia.svg AP Brera v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 31 May 2025
DF Nikola Najdovski (2004-02-05) 5 February 2004 (age 21)00 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Tikvesh v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 31 May 2025
DF Benan Hamidović (2006-03-28) 28 March 2006 (age 19)30 Unattached v. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan, 26 March 2025
DF Daniel Markovski (2005-04-29) 29 April 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of Sweden.svg Jönköpings Södra v. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan, 26 March 2025
DF Andrej Velkov (2006-02-07) 7 February 2006 (age 19)10 Flag of North Macedonia.svg AP Brera v. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan, 26 March 2025
DF Malik Hamzikj (2005-05-02) 2 May 2005 (age 20)30 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Sileks v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
DF Xhelaidin Amedoski (2005-03-14) 14 March 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Bavois v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
DF Ardian Osmani (2005-02-03) 3 February 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Brühl v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
DF Borjan Poposki (2004-04-23) 23 April 2004 (age 21)10 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Belasica v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
DF Eren Alievski (2004-10-31) 31 October 2004 (age 20)00 Flag of Sweden.svg Trelleborg v. Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova, 11 October 2024 WD

MF Nikola Manojlov (2006-02-01) 1 February 2006 (age 19)40 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Rabotnichki v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 31 May 2025
MF Shaban Zenku (2004-02-04) 4 February 2004 (age 21)50 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Struga v. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan, 26 March 2025
MF Besmir Daci (2004-09-29) 29 September 2004 (age 20)00 Flag of Kosovo.svg Sharri v. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan, 26 March 2025
MF Bekim Kamberi (2004-09-02) 2 September 2004 (age 21)41 Flag of Denmark.svg Valby Unitedv. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
MF Rayan Berberi NA (2004-03-18) 18 March 2004 (age 21)20 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Olympic Charleroi v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
MF Shenol Demiroski (2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 20)20 Unattached v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
MF Donart Ibraimi (2004-02-16) 16 February 2004 (age 21)20 Flag of Albania.svg Elbasani v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
MF Leon Tashov (2005-11-13) 13 November 2005 (age 19)20 Flag of Germany.svg Preußen Münster v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024
MF Mateo Sofijanoski (2004-06-24) 24 June 2004 (age 21)10 Flag of North Macedonia.svg Makedonija GP v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024

FW Nikola Velichkovski (2005-09-13) 13 September 2005 (age 19)31 Flag of North Macedonia.svg AP Brera v. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan, 26 March 2025
FW Matej Momchilovski (2005-01-11) 11 January 2005 (age 20)20 Flag of Croatia.svg Grobničan v. Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo, 17 November 2024

Current First Squad

Soccer Field Transparant.svg

Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Vasilev
Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Meliqi
Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Djekov
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
Dailoski
Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Ajetovikj
Flag of Sweden.svg
Zendelovski
Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Angelov
Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Danev
Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Stojanov
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg
Gjorgievski
Flag of North Macedonia.svg
Trajkov
Current First Squad (2004+) with the Club Leagues they play in

Past squads

Statistics

As of 15 October 2024.

See also

References