The face of Georgian football has officially been given the armband. On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the Georgian Football Federation confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been named the new permanent captain of the national team.
The decision comes at a major turning point for the “Crusaders,” following the retirement of legendary defender Guram Kashia.
The 38-year-old Kashia, who has been the heart of the Georgian defense for 17 years and earned 128 caps, announced just yesterday that he will step away from international football after a farewell match against Romania this June.
With Kashia not participating in the current training camp, “Kvara” takes over the leadership duties immediately. At just 25 years old, he is already the team’s talisman, but he now carries the official responsibility of leading a golden generation of Georgian talent that includes the likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili and Georges Mikautadze.
The New Leadership Group
While Kvaratskhelia takes the primary armband, the federation also confirmed that Otar Kiteishvili will serve as the vice-captain. The duo represents the tactical and emotional core of Willy Sagnol’s side as they look toward the 2026 World Cup cycle.
First Test as Captain
Kvaratskhelia won’t have to wait long to lead his teammates out. Georgia has a busy March international break ahead:
- March 26: Georgia vs. Israel (Tbilisi)
- March 29: Lithuania vs. Georgia (Kaunas)
Since his move to PSG, Kvaratskhelia has continued to develop into one of the world’s premier attackers, and this captaincy is seen as the natural next step in his evolution as a national icon.
