Lowdown on Bulgaria: Everything you need to know about Ireland's Nations League playoff opponents

Ireland were in the hat for today's Nations League promotion-relegation playoff draw in Switzerland and could have drawn one of four teams.

Slovakia, Kosovo, Armenia and Kosovo were all in the mix as potential opponents for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side next March.

Former Swiss international Johan Djourou was the special guest at the draw and he paired the Boys in Green with Bulgaria, who were familiar opponents in the early days of Stephen Kenny's tenure.

Here we run the eye over Bulgaria as Hallgrimsson's focus shifts from the Wembley horror show last weekend, and onto the playoff in March to see who plays in League B in the next Nations League.

Are Bulgaria any good?

Bulgaria are ranked 83rd in the latest FIFA world rankings, compared to Ireland’s ranking of 63rd. In this Nations League campaign, they finished second to Northern Ireland in their League C group, and just ahead of Belarus with Luxembourg finishing bottom. Like Ireland, they only won two of their six games - respective 1-0s against Northern Ireland and Luxembourg. Their trip to Belfast turned into a disaster as Northern Ireland hammered them 5-0, but they kept four clean sheets in their other five games. Bulgaria haven’t qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2004.

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What’s the head to head record like?

Ireland and Bulgaria have met 12 times in all competitions, including friendlies. Both sides have three wins apiece while the other six matches were drawn. They last played in 2020 during the Nations League, with Ireland earning a late 1-1 draw in Stephen Kenny’s first game in charge of Ireland before a 0-0 draw at home two months later.

Why are Ireland even in this playoff?

Because they finished second from bottom of their Nations League group with England, Greece and Finland. As the bottom side, the Finns have been automatically relegated to League C, or the third of four tiers. Ireland will instead contest the playoff with Bulgaria, who finished second in their League C group and the winner over two legs will play in League B the next time, and the loser in League C.

When are the games?

They will be Ireland’s next matches, but not until March. As the seeded team, Ireland will be away to Bulgaria on Thursday, March 20 before hosting them at Aviva Stadium on Sunday, March 23. The World Cup qualifying draw takes place on December 13 but due to the Nations League playoffs, Ireland will now be in a four-team World Cup qualifying group, meaning that campaign is unlikely to start until September.

Where do Bulgaria play?

It’s unlikely to be in the capital city, Sofia, so Ireland fans have been urged to show caution when booking this trip. The venue has yet to be confirmed and Bulgaria have recently played in other cities, including the likes of Plovdiv and Razgrad.

Who is their manager?

Ilian Iliev, 56, is Bulgaria’s manager and was appointed in November 2023, meaning he was not in charge the last time they played Ireland. As a player, he won 34 caps for Bulgaria and counts Benfica among his former clubs. In management, his only club job outside of Bulgaria was with a team in Angola.

Do Bulgaria have any famous players?

The days of household names like Dimitar Berbatov are long gone and the bulk of their most recent squad are home based. But Dimitar Mitov is the Aberdeen goalkeeper, captain Kiril Despodov plays for Greek giants PAOK while Georgi Milanov is an experienced campaigner for Dinamo Bucharest. Others are with clubs in Poland, Italy, Germany and Turkey, but none of the leading lights.

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