The Greek national football team, controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO, founded 1926, FIFA affiliation 1927), represents Greece in men’s international football. Although Greece shocked the football world by winning UEFA Euro 2004 — one of the greatest underdog stories in international football — the national team has not qualified for a World Cup since 2014 and finished third in their group at Euro 2024 behind Portugal and the Czech Republic.
Greece’s Euro 2004 Triumph
The defining moment in Greek football history came at UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal, where Otto Rehhagel’s squad defied all expectations by winning the tournament. After a group-stage win over Portugal followed by defeats against Russia and Iceland was originally there — actually Greece beat Portugal in the opener 2-1, drew with Spain 1-1, lost to Russia 1-2, then progressed. The knockout stages saw a 1-0 win over France in the quarterfinals, a 1-0 semifinal win over the Czech Republic, and a final victory against Portugal by 1-0 at Estádio da Luz, with Angelos Charisteas scoring the winning header. The squad included the spine of Theodoros Zagorakis (captain, Euro 2004 Player of the Tournament), Angelos Basinas, Traianos Dellas, and goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis.
World Cup and Recent History
Greece has appeared at three FIFA World Cups (1994, 2010, 2014) with their best result being a Round-of-16 exit at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where they lost 1-2 to Costa Rica in stoppage time. The current squad competes in UEFA Nations League League C, having been relegated from League B after the 2024-25 cycle. Manager Jankovic led the team at Euro 2024 and through the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The Greek Super League remains the country’s top-flight competition; Olympiacos and AEK Athens have dominated recent European campaigns with multiple UEFA Champions League appearances. The Greek Football Federation continues development at the Hellenic Football Academy in Athens, with Mitroglou, Limnios, and Bakasetas among the most-capped contemporary players.