With San Marino as their opponent, the Cyprus Men’s National Team will begin its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday, March 21.
The match will take place at AEK Arena in Larnaca. Following efforts by the Cyprus Football Association (CFA), the approval of the San Marino Football Federation, and the UEFA’s consent, the kickoff time has been changed from 21:45 to 19:00.
With this change, the CFA aims to give as many fans as possible the opportunity to attend the match and support the national team.
This match will also mark the debut of Apostolos Mantzios as the head coach of the Cyprus National Team.
Following the game against San Marino, Cyprus will face Bosnia and Herzegovina away on March 24.
Cyprus’ Schedule in Group 8 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers:
- March 21, 2025: Cyprus - San Marino (19:00)
- March 24, 2025: Bosnia and Herzegovina - Cyprus (21:45)
- June 10, 2025: Romania - Cyprus (21:45)
- September 6, 2025: Austria - Cyprus (21:45)
- September 9, 2025: Cyprus - Romania (21:45)
- October 9, 2025: Cyprus - Bosnia and Herzegovina (21:45)
- October 12, 2025: San Marino - Cyprus (16:00)
- November 15, 2025: Cyprus - Austria (19:00)
The team that finishes first in the group will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup. The second-placed team will enter the play-offs alongside fifteen other teams, with only four securing a spot in the final tournament.