The country secured this historic spot by defeating former champion Greece in March.

Georgia's French coach, Willy Sagnol, reflected on the victory, saying, “I think this qualification, people in Georgia waited for it since decades and it was such a nice moment to celebrate all together,” Georgia’s French coach, Willy Sagnol, said in April. “It wasn’t only the Georgian football world, it was really the whole country. Young, older people, they were all celebrating together, and it was really a moment that I will never forget.”

In Euro 2024, Georgia will compete in Group F alongside Portugal, Turkey, and the Czech Republic. Although the team is considered an underdog, a surprise win could help them advance to the knockout stages. Kvaratskhelia’s exceptional skills will be crucial, as noted by Sagnol, who praised his player’s evolution and leadership. “Khvicha is a special player. He has had incredible evolution the last two years but overall he’s stayed the same, kept his motivation very high,” said Sagnol, who knows all about elite-level soccer after winning the Champions League as a Bayern Munich player. “He’s a good example for everyone, also for the other players, and he’s just a fantastic leader".

Aside from Kvaratskhelia, Georgia’s squad includes Valencia’s promising goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Metz forward Georges Mikautadze. The team’s roster features players from 17 different countries, highlighting the lack of a strong domestic league. One player, Saba Lobzhanidze, even plays for Atlanta United in the United States.

Georgia’s soccer history includes contributions to the Soviet Union's 1960 European Championship win and Dinamo Tbilisi’s 1981 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup victory. However, since gaining independence, the national team has struggled to assemble a consistently competitive squad, unlike Georgia’s rugby team, which has made six World Cup appearances.

Recent debutants at the European Championship, Finland and North Macedonia, struggled in 2021, with neither advancing past the group stage. Georgia hopes to emulate Wales, which reached the semifinals in its first European Championship in 2016. Coach Sagnol remains focused on performance over results, emphasizing the importance of giving their best on the field. “The ambition is just to give our best,” Sagnol said. “As I always say to my players, never focus on the result, only focus on your performance".

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