Qarabağ FK Qarabağ FK is the absolute hegemon of Azerbaijani football and one of the most consistent participants in European competitions in the 21st century. The club has won 12 Azerbaijani championship titles in its history, including four in a row through the 2024/25 season — that long streak was finally broken in 2025/26 by Baku rivals Sabah. However, the team built its formidable reputation across Europe under the guidance of its legendary, long-serving manager Gurban Gurbanov. Qarabağ became the first club from Azerbaijan to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage, and in January 2026 etched itself into fans' memories with a dramatic 3–2 comeback win over German side Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring the winner deep into stoppage time.
Behind these sporting triumphs lies a deeply painful and unique identity, earning the team the moniker of the "refugee club." Due to the armed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh in the 1990s, the city of Agdam was completely destroyed, forcing the club to flee its homeland and permanently relocate to the nation's capital, Baku. Despite playing their home matches hundreds of kilometers away from their original home, Qarabağ Agdam remains a powerful national symbol for all Azerbaijanis. Through an indomitable spirit, stability on the managerial bench, and smart squad building, the club has proven that it can transform a tragic history into a massive sporting and organizational success.
