Andrija Živković

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Andrija Živković: Veteran Winger's Continued National Team Role After World Cup 2026 Miss

Andrija Živković, the 29-year-old Serbian winger, continues to be a prominent figure for both his club, PAOK Thessaloniki, and the Serbian national team. Born on July 11, 1996, Živković remains a key attacking threat, known for his incisive passing and dribbling abilities. While Serbia will not be participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Živković's recent form and experience suggest he will maintain a vital role in the national team's future endeavors.

Current Form & Season Performance

The 2025/2026 season has seen Andrija Živković deliver a strong performance for PAOK Thessaloniki in the Super League Greece. He has registered 3 goals and a remarkable 12 assists in 1,911 minutes of play. His consistent contributions earned him an impressive average FotMob rating of 7.6154. Živković's involvement extends beyond domestic league action, having also accumulated significant minutes in the UEFA Europa League and the Greek Football Cup this season.

Recent match performances highlight his continued influence. In a 2-2 draw against Panathinaikos on May 17, 2026, he provided an assist and achieved an 8.4 FotMob rating. Just a few days prior, on May 13, 2026, he again assisted in a 1-1 draw against AEK Athens, earning a 7.9 rating. His impact was also evident in a 3-1 home win against Olympiacos on May 3, 2026, where he scored a goal and provided an assist, culminating in an 8.5 FotMob rating.

However, the season hasn't been without its challenges. Živković has accumulated 8 yellow cards in the Super League. More recently, he has faced injury setbacks, including an ankle injury from March 7, 2026, to April 13, 2026. This recent injury also prevented him from traveling with the Serbian squad for a friendly against Mexico on June 4, 2026, indicating he was not fully fit at that time.

World Cup 2026 Prospects

Unfortunately, the Serbian national team failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. They finished 3rd in UEFA Qualification Group K, behind group winners England and second-placed Albania, thus missing out on both direct qualification and a play-off spot. This means Andrija Živković will not be participating in the tournament.

Despite the national team's absence from the 2026 World Cup, Živković's role within the squad remains significant. With 62 international caps and a wealth of experience, including participation in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, he is a seasoned member of the Serbian national team. At 29 years old, he is in his prime and will likely continue to be a crucial player for Serbia in upcoming UEFA Nations League campaigns and European Championship qualifiers. His leadership and attacking prowess will be vital as the team looks to regroup and aim for qualification in future major tournaments.

Playing Style & Tactical Analysis

Andrija Živković operates primarily as a right winger for PAOK and the Serbian national team, preferring his left foot. His playing style is characterized by strong offensive attributes:

• Strengths:
• Passing & Through Balls: Possesses excellent vision and execution in his passing, especially with through balls and key passes, creating numerous chances for teammates.
• Dribbling: Highly skilled in dribbling and maintaining possession, often carrying the ball past defenders.
• Defensive Contribution: Demonstrates a commendable work rate, often tracking back and contributing defensively, which is a valuable asset for a winger.
• Explosiveness: Described as fast and direct with an explosive burst when in possession.
• Weaknesses:
• Aerial Duels: His height (1.69m) can be a disadvantage in aerial contests.
• Finishing: While he scores goals, finishing is noted as a weaker aspect of his game compared to his creative abilities.

Tactically, Živković often looks to cut inside from the right wing to utilize his left foot for shots or to deliver dangerous crosses and through balls. His ability to hold onto the ball and play short passes helps his team maintain possession and build attacks.

Key Stats & Milestones

• Age: 29 (born July 11, 1996)
• Club: PAOK Thessaloniki
• Position: Right Winger (left-footed)

2025/2026 Season (PAOK, Super League Greece):

• Goals: 3
• Assists: 12
• Minutes Played: 1,911
• FotMob Rating: 7.6154 (average)
• Yellow Cards: 8

International Career (Serbia):

• Caps: 62
• Goals: 1
• Debut: October 11, 2013, making him the youngest player to debut for Serbia at 17 years old.
• World Cup Appearances: Participated in the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. He provided two assists in a 3-3 draw against Cameroon in the 2022 tournament.
• Youth Success: Gold medal winner at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the tournament.

Expert Predictions

Given Serbia's failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, discussions around Živković's direct impact at *this specific tournament* are no longer relevant. However, analysts consistently recognize his continued importance to the national team structure. His consistent club form, particularly his high assist tally in the 2025/2026 season, demonstrates his ongoing ability to create scoring opportunities.

While KickOracle previously predicted Živković would be "expected to be named in the final World Cup squad" for Serbia in April 2026 and rated his overall ability at 67 with a passing attribute of 99, this prediction was made before Serbia's official non-qualification became clear. Nonetheless, his "Squad asset — situational impact more than ninety-minute presence" evaluation from KickOracle suggests he is seen as a valuable tactical option for the national team, capable of influencing games even if not starting every match. His recent injury could be a concern for immediate national team call-ups, but his overall fitness record shows a player who bounces back. He remains a critical creative force for Serbia, and his experience will be vital as they prepare for future international competitions.