Bulgaria women's national football team

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

Bulgaria
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Лъвиците (The Lionesses)
AssociationBulgarian Football Union
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachSilvia Radoyska
CaptainNikoleta Boycheva
Top scorerLiliana Kostova (7)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeBUL
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 97 Increase 1 (7 August 2025)[1]
Highest42 (December 2008)
Lowest99 (June 2024)
First international
  1–1 Spain 
(Sofia, Bulgaria; 11 October 1987)
Biggest win
 Estonia 0–5  
(Otopeni, Romania; 18 November 2006)
  5–0 Luxembourg 
(Ta' Qali, Malta; 5 June 2009)
  5–0 Georgia 
(Lovech, Bulgaria; 21 November 2009)
Biggest defeat
 France 14–0  
(Le Mans, France; 28 November 2013)

The Bulgaria women's national football team (Bulgarian: Български женски национален отбор по футбол) represents Bulgaria in international women's football, and is controlled by the Bulgarian Football Union. The team's major success came in 2008 when they won the Balkan Championship and the Albena Cup in the same year. These major tournament victories brought them up to their all-time highest FIFA world ranking of 33rd.

History

Team image

Nicknames

The Bulgaria women's national football team have been nicknamed as "Лъвиците (The Lionesses)".

Home stadium

Bulgaria plays their home matches on the Lovech Stadium.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Bulgaria women's national football team results
See also: 2025 in association football, 2025 in sports, and FIFA International Match Calendar

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2024

5 April 2024 (2024-04-05) UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying League C Kazakhstan  0–1   Almaty, Kazakhstan
13:00 UTC+2 Report Petkova 45+5' Stadium: FC Kairat Academy
Attendance: 213
Referee: Melis Özçiğdem (Turkey)
9 April 2024 (2024-04-09) UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying League C   2–3  Armenia Sofia, Bulgaria
17:00 UTC+2
Report
  • Kazanchian 42'
  • Asatryan 49'
  • Safaryan 90+1'
 Stadium: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov
Attendance: 237
Referee: Emilie Torkelsen (Norway)
31 May 2024 (2024-05-31) UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying League C Romania  1–0   Bucharest, Romania
18:00 UTC+2 Vătafu 76' Report Stadium: Stadionul Arcul de Triumf
Attendance: 1,709
Referee: Kathrin Huber (Austria)
4 June 2024 (2024-06-04) UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying League C   0–3  Romania Sofia, Bulgaria
18:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov
Attendance: 176
Referee: Jurgita Mačikunytė (Lithuania)
12 July 2024 (2024-07-12) UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying League C Armenia  1–3   Yerevan, Armenia
17:45 UTC+2 Safaryan 75' Report
  • Petrova 13'
  • Karaivanova 26'
  • Yaneva 90+1'
 Stadium: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium
Attendance: 419
Referee: Zoe Stavrou (Cyprus)
16 July 2024 (2024-07-16) UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying League C   0–0  Kazakhstan Sofia, Bulgaria
19:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov
Attendance: 228
Referee: Kristina Kozoroh (Ukraine)

2025

21 February 2025 (2025-02-21) 2025 UEFA Nations League C   1–3  Israel Sofia, Bulgaria
14:30 UTC+2 Petrova 36' Report
Stadium: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov
Attendance: 177
Referee: Milica Milovanović (Serbia)
4 April 2025 (2025-04-04) 2025 UEFA Nations League C Estonia  0–0   Tallinn, Estonia
18:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Lilleküla Stadium
Attendance: 457
Referee: Stacey Pearson (England)
8 April 2025 (2025-04-08) 2025 UEFA Nations League C Israel  3–3   Budaörs, Hungary
13:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: BSC Stadium
Referee: Sara Telek (Austria)
3 June 2025 (2025-06-03) 2025 UEFA Nations League C   0–1  Estonia Sofia, Bulgaria
19:00 UTC+2
Report Teern 90+1' Stadium: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov
Attendance: 470
Referee: Ioanna Allayiotou (Cyprus)

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

As of 28 November 2022
Role Name
Head coach Bulgaria Silvia Radoyska
Assistant coaches Bulgaria Velizar Hristov
Bulgaria Trifon Panev
Goalkeeping coach Bulgaria Emil Varadinov
Team manager Bulgaria Doychin Bahov

Manager history

Name Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Winning % Notes Ref.
Bulgaria Emil Atanasov 18 November 2006 – 25 August 2010 21 11 4 6 52.38%
Bulgaria Valentin Chakarov 24 November 2010 – 19 September 2012 13 0 1 12 0%
Bulgaria Emil Kartselski 20 August 2013 – 21 August 2014 11 2 1 8 18.18%
Bulgaria Silviya Radoyska 17 September 2014–present 29 5 2 22 22.73%

Players

Main article: List of Bulgaria women's international footballers

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League matches against Estonia on 3 June 2025 respectively.[2]

Caps and goals as of 8 April 2025, after the match against Israel

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Martina Ilieva (2007-02-08) 8 February 2007 0 0 Bulgaria PFC Ludogorets 1945
12 1GK Darena Radeva (2009-09-15) 15 September 2009 0 0 Bulgaria FC Paldin
23 1GK Milena Karakoleva (2004-04-03) 3 April 2004 3 0 Bulgaria FC Sportika
3 2DF Yanitsa Ivanova (2001-01-05) 5 January 2001 27 0 Bulgaria FC NSA
4 2DF Gergana Halyanova (2008-03-12) 12 March 2008 4 0 Bulgaria FC Sportika
19 2DF Yoana Stankova (2005-08-20) 20 August 2005 23 1 Italy Freedom FC
6 2DF Silviya Kefalova (2001-06-06) 6 June 2001 11 0 Bulgaria FC NSA
2 2DF Nikoleta Boycheva (Captain) (1994-08-20) 20 August 1994 22 1 Romania Farul Constanța
2DF Bianka Demirova (2006-07-08) 8 July 2006 Bulgaria NSA Sofia
2DF Yana Dineva (2002-11-08) 8 November 2002 9 0 Bulgaria Lokomotiv-
9 3MF Lora Petrova (1998-10-12) 12 October 1998 27 3 Italy Cesena FC
10 3MF Leonora Zheleva (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999 17 1 Greece A.O. Trikala 2011
17 3MF Veronika Gotseva (1993-05-29) 29 May 1993 12 0 Bulgaria FC NSA
20 3MF Eva Atanasova (2005-06-05) 5 June 2005 2 0 Belgium SV Zulte Waregem
15 3MF Zdravka Parapunova (2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 3 0 Austria RW Rankweil
17 4FW Simona Petkova (1993-09-03) 3 September 1993 13 0 Switzerland FC Thun Frauen
18 4FW Nikol Dimanova (2007-07-25) 25 July 2007 7 0 Hungary Soroksár SC
13 4FW Aleksandra Yaneva (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 11 3 Switzerland FC Sion Féminin
8 4FW Polina Rasina (1999-03-12) 12 March 1999 18 3 Bulgaria FC NSA
14 4FW Dimitra Ivanova (2004-01-26) 26 January 2004 17 2 Romania CS Gloria 2018
4FW Evdokiya Popadinova (1996-10-26) 26 October 1996 8 3 Italy Lazio
7 4FW Antonina Shopska (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 4 0 North Macedonia WFC Kamenica Sasa
4FW Nadezhda Ivanova (2004-12-17) 17 December 2004 0 0 Turkey Beylerbeyi
4FW Polina Demirova 0 0 FC NSA

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to a Bulgaria squad in the past 12 months.
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Roksana Shahanska (1992-04-23) 23 April 1992 29 0 Bulgaria Lokomotiv v.  Israel, 21 February 2025
DF Elena Kamenova Bulgaria v.  Israel, 21 February 2025
DF Nora Dimitrova (captain) (1996-07-26) 26 July 1996 14 1 Bulgaria Lokomotiv v.  Armenia, 9 April 2024
DF Ivet Vasileva (1998-07-12) 12 July 1998 0 0 Bulgaria LP Super Sport v.  Armenia, 9 April 2024
DF Ivet Vasileva (1998-07-12) 12 July 1998 0 0 Bulgaria LP Super Sport v.  Armenia, 9 April 2024
DF Mariela Nedeva (2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 4 0 Bulgaria Lokomotiv v.  Ukraine, 27 February 2024
DF Nora Dimitrova (captain) (1996-07-26) 26 July 1996 14 1 Bulgaria Lokomotiv v.  Kazakhstan,16 July 2024
DF Yoanna Tomova (2003-07-16) 16 July 2003 v.  Kazakhstan,16 July 2024
DF Zhasmina Atanasova (1996-06-25) 25 June 1996 6 0 Bulgaria Lokomotiv v.  Kazakhstan,16 July 2024
DF Ivana Chalakova (2008-04-09) 9 April 2008 1 0 Bulgaria FC Sportika v.  Israel,8 April 2025
DF Kristiana Karaivanova (2004-07-11) 11 July 2004 19 1 Italy Vis Mediterranea v.  Israel,8 April 2025
MF Anita Churusinova (2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 Bulgaria NSA Sofia v.  Armenia, 9 April 2024
MF Veni Sarbinska (1995-12-28) 28 December 1995 Bulgaria Sportika v.  North Macedonia, 5 December 2023
MF Antonia Angelova (2005-09-15) 15 September 2005 Bulgaria Sevlievo Ladies v.  Kazakhstan,16 July 2024
MF Preslava Yordanova (2005-09-14) 14 September 2005 Bulgaria NSA Sofia v.  Kazakhstan,16 July 2024
MF Ivelina Pavlova (2003-08-18) 18 August 2003 3 0 Bulgaria FC NSA v.  Israel,8 April 2025
MF Ivana Naydenova (2001-12-21) 21 December 2001 23 3 Italy Hellas Verona v.  Israel,8 April 2025
FW Yana Yordanova (2003-02-20) 20 February 2003 United States Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders v.  Romania, 4 June 2024
FW Catherine Karadjov (1998-06-19) 19 June 1998 1 0 France Orvault v.  Ukraine, 27 February 2024
FW Aleksandra Sergeeva (2005-11-03) 3 November 2005 2 0 Germany VfL Wolfsburg II v.  Kazakhstan,16 July 2024
FW Viky Yavorova (2003-05-12) 12 May 2003 2 0 United States Jacksonville State Gamecocks v.  Kazakhstan,16 July 2024
FW Katerina-Maria Ravnachka (2008-03-23) 23 March 2008 2 0 Italy Freedom FC v.  Israel,8 April 2025

Captains

  • Radoslava Slavcheva (????–)

Records

As of 23 May 2021
Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2021.

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
China 1991 Did not qualify UEFA Euro 1991
Sweden 1995 UEFA Euro 1995
United States 1999 6 2 1 3 11 12
United States 2003 Did not enter Did not enter
China 2007
Germany 2011 Did not qualify 8 2 2 4 9 25
Canada 2015 10 0 1 9 3 62
France 2019 Did not enter Did not enter
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Did not qualify 10 0 0 10 1 37
Brazil 2027 To be determined To be determined
MexicoUnited States 2031 To be determined To be determined
United Kingdom 2035 To be determined To be determined
Total - - - - - - - 34 4 4 26 24 136
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA P/R Rnk
EnglandItalyNorwaySweden 1984 Did not enter Did not enter
Norway 1987
West Germany 1989 Did not qualify 8 0 2 6 1 18 –
Denmark 1991 6 0 0 6 3 18
Italy 1993 4 0 0 4 1 9
EnglandGermanyNorwaySweden 1995 4 1 1 2 3 11
NorwaySweden 1997 6 4 0 2 13 6
Germany 2001 Did not enter Did not enter
England 2005
Finland 2009 Did not qualify 3 2 0 1 8 1 –
Sweden 2013 10 0 0 10 1 54
Netherlands 2017 Did not enter Did not enter
England 2022
Switzerland 2025 Did not qualify 6 2 1 3 6 8 Same position[a] 41st
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total – – – – – – – 41 7 3 31 30 117 41st
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Nations League

UEFA Women's Nations League record
Year League Group Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R Rnk
2023–24 C 5 2nd 6 1 2 3 4 14 Same position* 40th
2025 C 5 To be determined
Total 6 1 2 3 4 14 40th
Rise Promoted at end of season
Same position No movement at end of season
Fall Relegated at end of season
* Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

Honours

Regional

Friendly

See also

Notes

  1. ^ From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Women's Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Повиквателни в разширен състав за предстоящия двубой с Естония от Лига на нациите за жени" [-]. bfunion (in Bulgarian). 29 March 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
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