Everything you need to know about the Slovenia national football team, including their history, manager, best-ever players and everything else.
England take on Slovenia in their final match of the Euro 2024 group stages, with their knockout route still to be decided.
Gareth Southgate and his team have far from excelled, with some less than stellar performances against Serbia and Denmark just enough to earn them four points.
In Slovenia, the Three Lions take on a side that are on the hunt for another point or three towards possible qualification.
With two points from their opening matches, the central European nation are looking to book themselves into the last 16.
So with that said, TBR Football takes a look at the Slovenian national team and everything you need to know about them.
Who are the Slovenia national team?
The Slovenia national team represents the nation of Slovenia in men’s international competitions.
What is the population of Slovenia?
Slovenia is estimated to have a population of 2.1 million people, which makes them the smallest nation in the competition.
Slovenia national team founding year
The Slovenian national team were officially recognised in 1992, following the country’s independence from Yugoslavia.
Slovenia as a team had played in many friendlies before this date but only became recognised by UEFA and FIFA after 1992 – with their first match ending in a 1-1 draw with Estonia.
Slovenia home football stadium
The home football stadium for the Slovenia national football team is the Stozice Stadium, which is located in Ljubljana.
- Current stadium: 2010-present
- Stadium’s Capacity: 16,038
Slovenia kit history
The kit colours for the Slovenian national team have changed several times since their official inception in 1992.
There was originally an all-green design before that was changed in 2009 to an all-white home kit – fully implemented from 2012 onwards.
That design has been stuck with ever since, with the kits often featuring the famous Triglav in the design – which is the highest mountain in the country.
The current kit for Euro 2024 features the Triglav in the centre of the shirt, with a diamond pattern used for the lower half – while the all-white colouration has continued.
Slovenia current manager
Matjaz Kek is the current head coach of the Slovenian national team, having been in the role since 2018 – his second stint after one from 2007-2011.
During his first spell in charge, Kek took Slovenia to their second World Cup appearance in South Africa, in 2010, which drew them against England, the USA and Algeria in the group stages.
An opening win over Algeria brought plenty of hope for a knockout stage appearance, but a draw to the USA and defeat to England ended their campaign.
Kek left following a poor qualification run for Euro 2012, but he would return in 2018 to serve his country once again.
While Slovenia didn’t qualify for Euro 2020 or World Cup 2022 under Kek, they did book a place for Euro 2024 in Germany.
With it being the nation’s fourth official tournament, there will be hopes that they can finally make it out of the group stages.
Outside of managing the national team, Kek has had spells in charge of Maribor, Al-Ittihad and Rijeka, winning three trophies in Croatia and three in Slovenia.
Matjaz Kek playing career
Matjaz Kek coaching career
Slovenia Euro 2024 squad
Slovenia have an impressive squad heading to Germany for Euro 2024, which will include some recognisable players such as Benjamin Sesko and Jan Oblak.
Who is the Slovenia captain?
The current captain of the Slovenian national team is goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who has been a mainstay for club and country over the years.
The Atletico Madrid star has over 60 appearances for his nation, having held the armband since 2019.
All-time greatest Slovenia players
For a nation of such a small population, Slovenia have still produced some quality players with “golden generations” gone by.
1998-2002 is recognised as the first golden generation of the country’s history, following a World Cup and Euros qualification.
Players such as Zlatko Zahovic and Ales Ceh were regulars around the team, though a decline would shortly follow those tournaments.
Goalkeepers have been a strong point for the nation, with Oblak following the lead of Samir Handanovic as a world-class shot-stopper.
There will be plenty of hope that some of those in the current squad, such as Sesko, are able to blossom into the next golden generation.