Benfica forward Fotis Pavlidis is set to lead the Greece national team onto the field this Thursday. He will wear the captain’s armband for their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Scotland. This opportunity arises because the squad’s two main captains are likely out of the starting eleven.
Pavlidis shared his feelings about the role. He stated it is "a great honor to be captain of the National Team." Yet, he added a note of humility, expressing that he doesn’t truly feel like the captain. "We all have our responsibilities," he explained during the match preview. "Bakasetas and Mantalos are the leaders, but we are all captains on the field. It’s an honor and a joy." He emphasized his pride, despite not seeing himself as the squad’s true overall leader.
This focus comes while Pavlidis is dealing with some off-field noise. He’s currently at the center of a controversy, facing a formal complaint from André Villas-Boas. Despite this external pressure, his concentration remains squarely on the national team’s performance.
The Greek team finds itself in a tight race in Group A of the qualifiers. They currently sit in third place with three points. This puts them just one point behind both Denmark and Scotland. Joining Pavlidis in the squad are Sporting players Vagiannidis and Ioannidis, all aiming to push Greece forward.