Armenian Footballers in the MFL-2026: Who Is Playing in Russia’s Youth League

On March 6, the new season of the Youth Football League (MFL) kicked off in Russia. This tournament has long become an important platform for young Armenian footballers: many of them first make a name for themselves here before receiving call-ups to Armenia’s national teams.

In the 2026 season, more than ten players of Armenian origin are playing in the league. It should be noted that since last year the tournament has been held under the autumn–spring system.

Here are the footballers who have already taken part in the first round or could play a significant role in the new season.

The Main Armenian Talents of the Season

Daniel Ambartsumov
(winger, Krasnodar, 17)

In the first round he played 83 minutes in the match against Rodina (1:2) and scored his team’s only goal.

Last season for Krasnodar U17 he was one of the leaders of the team’s attack — 9 goals and 4 assists in 23 matches.

Daniel has long been on the radar of the Armenian national team and in 2024 he played two matches for Armenia U17.

David Batoyan
(winger, Rostov, 17)

In the first round he came on in the 86th minute in the match against Akron (0:2).

In 2025 he was the captain of Rostov U17 — scoring 12 goals and providing 6 assists in 18 matches.

Batoyan is regularly called up to Armenia’s youth national teams, and in October 2025 he captained Armenia U19 in three matches. Overall, he has 2 goals in 6 appearances for the U19 team.

These are two players we will be watching particularly closely in the new season of Russia’s Youth League. However, other clubs also have young Armenian footballers who could strengthen Armenia’s national team in the future.

Other Armenian Players in the MFL

Sarkis Tveritnev Arsenovich
(CSKA, midfielder, 17)

Came on in the 74th minute in the first round against Ural (5:0).

In 2025 he played for Rostov U17 (6 matches, 1 assist), and also for Rostov U19 in the MFL, where he made 26 appearances.

He represents Russia’s youth national teams:

• U17 — 11 matches, 1 goal

• U18 — 6 matches

Garik Elezyan
(defender, Fakel, 18)

Came on late in the first-round match against Rubin (3:2).

Last season he also played in the MFL for Fakel — 26 matches, 12 of them as a starter.

Albert Vanyan
(attacking midfielder, Rodina, 18)

Came on in the 81st minute of the match against Krasnodar (2:1).

Previously he played for the U17 team, scoring 9 goals and providing 1 assist in 25 matches. He also made three appearances for Rodina-2 in the second division.

Roman Mezhlumyan
(forward, Almaz-Antey, 18)

Played 66 minutes in the first round against Lokomotiv.

Last season he played for the same club’s U17 team — 6 goals and 2 assists in 18 matches.

Tigran Papyan
(midfielder, Lokomotiv Moscow, 18)

Remained on the bench in the first round.

Last season he played for the U17 team — 19 matches in the YFL-1.

Armen Yeranosyan
(winger, Lokomotiv Moscow, 17)

Played 16 minutes in the first round against Almaz-Antey.

Last season he played for the U17 team — 5 goals and 4 assists in 14 matches in YFL-1.

Among fans and bloggers covering Lokomotiv, it is noted that Yeranosyan joined the U19 team largely due to injuries among attacking players. At the same time, many highlight his “magical” left foot — in 2025 he scored several spectacular goals with precise shots into the top corner.

Vahagn Osipyan
(centre-back, Chertanovo, 19)

Did not play in the first round.

A defender with an impressive height of 196 cm.
Last season he played for Chertanovo U19-B — 7 matches, and in 2024 he played for the U17 team, scoring 2 goals in 25 matches.

Valentin Atayan
(midfielder, Chertanovo, 18)

Played 77 minutes in the first round against Zenit (1:5).

Last year he also played for Chertanovo U19-B — 6 matches, 1 goal and 1 assist.
In 2024 he played in the YFL for the U17 team — 4 goals and 9 assists in 31 matches.

Grant Sargsyan
(centre-back, Ural, 18)

Did not play in the first round.

A graduate of the Krasnodar academy and also notable for his height — 191 cm.
In 2025 he already played in the MFL for Ural U19 — 22 matches. He also made two appearances for Ural-2 in the second division.

It is quite possible that in 2026 he will play more often for the reserve team rather than in the youth league.

Arman Manukyan
(midfielder, Ural, 18)

Played the full match in the first round against CSKA (0:5) but failed to convert a penalty. He was the team captain.

Last season he played for the youth team of Torpedo Moscow — 27 matches, 1 goal and 2 assists.

Thus, in the current MFL season a whole group of young Armenian footballers is competing. Some of them already have experience playing for Armenia’s national teams, while others are only beginning their journey at this level.

The new Youth League season could become an important stage in the development of these players and bring some of them closer to Armenia’s youth and senior national teams.