Let's be real for a second. If you’ve been following the Brave Falcons lately, you know it’s been a bit of a rough ride. Watching the Montenegro national football team standings in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers feels a bit like watching a gritty underdog movie where the hero keeps getting knocked down but refuses to stay on the mat. They have heart, sure. But heart doesn't always put points on the board when you're facing European giants or even pesky mid-tier teams that have found their rhythm.
The current situation is, frankly, pretty sobering. Montenegro is currently sitting in 4th place in Group L of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers.
With 8 matches played, they’ve managed to scrap together 9 points. That comes from 3 wins and 5 losses. No draws. It’s been a binary campaign—either they find a way to win, or they fall flat. They’ve scored 8 goals but let in 17. That -9 goal difference is the kind of stat that keeps coaches awake at night, staring at the ceiling.
The Current Group L Reality
It's a tough neighborhood. Croatia is basically running away with the group, sitting at the top with 22 points and a goal difference that makes everyone else look like amateurs. Then you've got the Czech Republic in second with 16 points.
Here is the breakdown of where things stand in Group L as we head into 2026:
Croatia is the undisputed leader with 22 points. They are 7-1-0. Pure dominance.
Czechia holds the second spot with 16 points. They’ve been solid if not spectacular.
Faroe Islands are the surprise of the bunch, sitting in third with 12 points. Honestly, seeing them above Montenegro is a bit of a sting for fans in Podgorica.
Montenegro is 4th with 9 points.
Gibraltar is at the bottom with 0 points and a -25 goal difference.
The Falcons have basically become the "best of the bottom" or the "worst of the top," depending on how optimistic you're feeling today. They’ve beaten the teams they should beat (like Gibraltar), but they’ve struggled immensely against the heavy hitters. Losing 4-0 to Croatia and 4-0 to the Faroe Islands in late 2025 were particularly hard pills to swallow. It felt like the wheels just came off during that October/November stretch.
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Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Stats are cold. They don't show you the flashes of brilliance from someone like Vasilije Adžić, the Juventus youngster who is basically the Great Hope of Montenegrin football right now. At just 19, he’s already carving out a spot in the starting eleven.
Then you have the legends. Stevan Jovetić is still out there, wearing the captain's armband at 36 years old. He's the all-time leading scorer with 37 goals, and every time he touches the ball, you feel like something might actually happen. But he can't do it alone. The transition from the "Golden Generation" to the new kids has been... clunky.
The coaching situation hasn't helped the stability of the Montenegro national football team standings. We saw Robert Prosinečki come and go, and now Mirko Vučinić—yes, that Mirko Vučinić—has stepped into the managerial role. It's a bold move. Having a national icon on the sidelines brings energy, but he’s inherited a squad that is desperately searching for a defensive identity.
Recent Form and Results
If you look at the last five matches, it’s a rollercoaster:
- Montenegro 2-3 Croatia (Nov 17, 2025) – A heartbreaking loss where they actually led early thanks to Osmajić and Krstović.
- Gibraltar 1-2 Montenegro (Nov 14, 2025) – A win, but a narrow one. Too close for comfort.
- Faroe Islands 4-0 Montenegro (Oct 9, 2025) – A total disaster. No other way to put it.
- Montenegro 0-2 Czech Republic (Sept 5, 2025) – A professional, clinical defeat at home.
- Croatia 4-0 Montenegro (Sept 8, 2025) – Total outclassing in Zagreb.
The 3-1 win over Türkiye in the Nations League back in late 2024 feels like a lifetime ago. That was the version of Montenegro that fans want to see—organized, lethal on the counter, and absolutely fearless.
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The Nations League Hangover
We have to talk about the UEFA Nations League because it directly impacts the vibe around the team. In the 2024/25 edition, Montenegro struggled in League B, Group B4. They finished dead last with only 3 points.
They were grouped with Wales, Türkiye, and Iceland. They lost five out of six matches. That kind of run saps the confidence of a small nation. Finishing at the bottom meant relegation to League C, which is a blow to the ego but might actually be the "reset" the team needs. Playing against teams closer to their current level could help them rebuild that winning culture.
What’s Missing?
Depth. It’s always depth. When Adam Marušić or Stefan Savić are out, the drop-off is noticeable. Montenegro has a population of about 630,000 people. To produce a squad that can compete with nations of 40 or 80 million is a miracle every single year.
Right now, the FIFA world ranking reflects this struggle. Montenegro has slipped to 83rd in the world. To put that in perspective, they were as high as 16th back in 2011. It’s been a long slide down the mountain.
But there’s a silver lining. The emergence of Nikola Krstović at Atalanta and Viktor Đukanović gives them a modern edge in attack. They aren't just relying on old-school grit anymore; they have pace and technical ability. The problem is keeping the back door shut. You can't concede 17 goals in 8 qualifying games and expect to go to a World Cup. It just doesn't happen.
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Practical Steps for the Falcons
If Montenegro wants to climb back up the Montenegro national football team standings, some things need to change fast.
First, the defensive structure under Vučinić needs to move away from individual reliance. Relying on Savić to bail everyone out isn't a strategy; it's a prayer. They need a more cohesive mid-block that doesn't leave the fullbacks exposed when they push forward.
Second, they need to maximize the "Podgorica Factor." The Gradski Stadion used to be a place where big teams came to die. Lately, it’s felt a bit more welcoming. Restoring that intimidating atmosphere is key to picking up home points against teams like Czechia or even the Faroes.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Track the U-21s: Keep a close eye on the youth prospects coming through the domestic league. The future of the senior squad depends on 2-3 more "Adžić-level" talents breaking through.
- Watch the Nations League C Draw: The upcoming matches in the lower tier will be the perfect testing ground for Vučinić’s tactical shifts.
- Monitor Player Health: For a small squad, the injury report is more important than the tactical board. If the "Big Three" (Savić, Jovetić, Marušić) aren't fit, the standings will likely stay stagnant.
The road to the 2026 World Cup is basically closed for Montenegro at this point, but the journey toward Euro 2028 qualification starts with how they finish this campaign. They need to leapfrog the Faroe Islands to reclaim some dignity and build momentum. It’s not about the destination anymore; it’s about the climb.