A Georgia Euro 2024 squad would have seemed fanciful not so long ago, but it's very much going to be a reality, after the former Soviet republic secured qualification for the first ever major tournament.
Having missed out on a place at the previous Euros when they lost to North Macedonia in a play-off final, Georgia made history by seeing off Luxembourg and Greece – beating the latter on penalties – in the play-offs to book their spot in Germany. Cue one almighty pitch invasion at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi.
There, the country from the Caucasus with a population of less than three million – who are managed by former France international Willy Sagnol – will join Turkey, the Czech Republic and Euro 2016 winners Portugal in Group F of Euro 2024. And they won't be going just to make up the numbers.
Georgia's squad
Georgia's Euro 2024 squad: The squad for the play-offs
GK: Giorgi Loria (Dinamo Tbilisi)
GK: Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia)
GK: Luka Gugeshashvili (Qarabag)
DF: Otar Kakabadze (Cracovia)
DF: Lasha Dvali (APOEL)
DF: Guram Kashia (Slovan Bratislava)
DF: Solomon Kvirkvelia (Al-Okhdood)
DF: Giorgi Gocholeishvili (Shakhtar Donetsk)
DF: Luka Lochoshvili (Cremonese)
DF: Giorgi Gvelesiani (Persepolis)
DF: Vladimer Mamuchashvili (Dinamo Batumi)
DF: Levan Shengelia (Panetolikos)
DF: Giorgi Tsitaishvili (Dinamo Batumi)
DF: Saba Sazonov (Torino)
MF: Giorgi Kochorashvili (Levante)
MF: Sandro Altunashvili (Wolfsberger AC)
MF: Zuriko Davitashvili (Bordeaux)
MF: Giorgi Chakvetadze (Watford)
MF: Nika Kvekverskiri (Lech Poznan)
MF: Otar Kiteishvili (Sturm Graz)
MF: Jaba Kankava (Slovan Bratislava)
MF: Anzor Mekvabishvili (Universitatea Craiova)
FW: Budu Zivzivadze (Karlsruher SC)
FW: Giorgi Kvilitaia (APOEL)
FW: Georges Mikautadze (Metz)
FW: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli)
Georgia Euro 2024 squad numbers
Squad numbers are yet to be confirmed for Euro 2024.
A very familiar name from his decorated playing career with the likes of Monaco and Bayern Munich on top of 58 caps for France (including starting the 2006 World Cup final), Willy Sagnol took on the role of Georgia boss in 2021.
The former right-back was previously in charge of the French U21 side and Bordeaux – as well as serving as assistant manager under Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern.
Already established as one of Georgia's key players, Kvaratskhelia emerged at Dinamo Tbilisi aged just 16 in 2017 but soon moved to nearby Rustavi after a falling-out with his hometown club.
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His continued ascent quickly attracted interest from the Russian Premier League in the form of a loan spell at Lokomotiv Moscow and then a permanent move to Rubin Kazan. Kvaratskhelia briefly returned home to Georgia in early 2022 with Dinamo Batumi following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, before making his biggest move yet, joining Napoli that summer.
His form for the Italian side has been little short of sensational. In not quite two full seasons, Kvaratskhelia has claimed 23 goals and assists apiece in 78 appearances for Napoli, helping them to win Serie A at a canter last season and leading to talk of transfer interest from a bevvy of the very best Premier League clubs.
With 15 goals in 28 international caps to date, Kvaratskhelia is well on course to become Georgia's all-time leading goalscorer.
FAQs
How many players are Georgia allowed to take to Euro 2024?
UEFA confirmed in February that each competing nation will be able to name a final squad of 23 players in their Euro 2024 squads, including a mandatory three goalkeepers.
After a couple of tournaments featuring 26-player teams, UEFA have now reverted from the expanded squad.
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to 2021's European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the fixture congestion, the expanded squads returned for the World Cup. Without those same issues, 23-player squads have made a return.
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Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
