Petar Segrt Steps Down After Historic Stint with Tajikistan

Petar Segrt bids farewell to his role as the head coach of Tajikistan’s national men’s football team, as confirmed by the Football Federation of Tajikistan. Segrt, who assumed the position in March 2022, leaves behind a legacy marked by significant accomplishments during his tenure.

Under Segrt’s leadership, Tajikistan achieved unprecedented success by securing a spot in the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in the nation’s football history. Additionally, they made a noteworthy entry into the top 100 of the FIFA World Ranking, showcasing their prowess on the international stage.

The pinnacle of Tajikistan’s football journey during Segrt’s reign was the AFC Asian Cup. The team’s remarkable performance propelled them to the quarter-finals, an achievement that had eluded them in previous editions. Unfortunately, their journey ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Jordan in the quarter-final clash.

Segrt’s charismatic presence on the sidelines oversaw 24 matches, resulting in 11 victories and seven draws for Tajikistan. The team’s success extended beyond the Asian Cup, with triumphs in the 2022 King’s Cup in Thailand and the 2023 Merdeka Cup in Malaysia.

The impressive showing in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ propelled Tajikistan to a historic-best 99th position in the FIFA World Ranking. This rise reflects the team’s growth and competitiveness on the global football stage.

Looking ahead, Tajikistan faces a challenging path in the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. The Central Asian side is set to engage in back-to-back matches against Saudi Arabia in Group G in March, a crucial phase that will determine their future in these prestigious competitions.

As Petar Segrt departs from his role, Tajikistan’s football community reflects on the achievements and milestones reached under his guidance. The challenge now falls upon the Football Federation of Tajikistan to identify a successor who can build upon this foundation and steer the national team toward continued success on the footballing stage.