Key Takeaways:
- Veljko Paunović has been named head coach of Serbia’s national football team, as announced by the football association
- He will oversee Serbia’s last two 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures against England and Latvia, scheduled for 13 and 16 November respectively
- Serbia currently occupies third place in Group K with 10 points from six matches, trailing England by eight points and Albania by one
Paunović Steps in After Coaching Change
Veljko Paunović has been appointed as the new manager of the Serbian national football team following the departure of Dragan Stojković, who vacated the position after a run of disappointing results. The local football association announced Paunović’s hiring, confirming he will be in charge for the squad’s final two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.
Immediate Tests Against England and Latvia
The 48-year-old coach will debut at the helm as Serbia faces England and Latvia in the concluding qualifiers, with the fixtures set for 13 and 16 November, respectively. The pressure will be on Paunović to guide Serbia through these crucial matches as the team aims to secure World Cup participation.
Its official!
Veljko Paunovic is the new Serbia manager.
We have been waiting for you.
Welcome back 👑 🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/F35e4bQc7m
— Serbian Football (@SerbianFooty) October 30, 2025
| Upcoming Fixtures | Date |
|---|---|
| Serbia vs. England | 13 November |
| Serbia vs. Latvia | 16 November |
Current Standings in Group K
Serbia currently sits third in Group K of the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, having accumulated 10 points from six matches. The team trails group leaders England, who have 18 points, by eight, and are just one point behind Albania.
| Team | Points | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|
| England | 18 | 6 |
| Albania | 11 | 6 |
| Serbia | 10 | 6 |
Coaching Experience and Recent Activity
Paunović, aged 48, last managed Spanish side Oviedo from March of this year until the beginning of October. His appointment heralds a new era for Serbia as they strive to progress in the World Cup qualifiers under his leadership.
