Match Overview

The 8th round match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between San Marino and Cyprus is set for October 12 at the San Marino Stadium in Serravalle. This preview covers the San Marino vs Cyprus fixture, offering a prediction, odds, and key statistics.

San Marino Team Analysis

In the previous qualifier, Roberto Cevoli’s squad endured a crushing 0-10 away loss to Austria. This defeat extends San Marino’s losing streak in World Cup qualification matches to a staggering 59 consecutive games. The team has also been unable to find the back of the net in their last four outings. Over their last three World Cup qualifiers, San Marino has conceded an alarming 20 goals. They remain without a single point, anchoring the bottom of their group’s standings.

• San Marino has failed to score in 12 of their last 14 home World Cup qualification encounters.
• The national side has conceded at least three goals in each of their last six home matches in World Cup qualifiers.
• San Marino has been trailing at halftime in their last six home World Cup qualification games.

San Marino Predicted Lineup (4-5-1)

Edoardo Colombo – Marco Pasolini, Michele Cevoli, Giacomo Valentini, Alberto Riccardi – Lorenzo Capicchioni, Samuele Zannoni, Alessandro Golinucci, Andrea Contadini, Filippo Berardi – Nicola Nanni.

Defenders Tommaso Benvenuti and Filippo Fabbri are sidelined for this match due to injuries.

Cyprus Team Analysis

In their last fixture, Apostolos Mantzios’s team hosted Bosnia. Cyprus found themselves two goals down but staged a comeback, securing a 2-2 draw with a decisive equalizer in stoppage time. Despite this late heroics, the national side’s winless run in World Cup qualifiers now stretches to five matches (two draws, three defeats). With a tally of five points, the Cypriots currently occupy fourth place in their group.

• Cyprus has been defeated in their last ten away World Cup qualification fixtures.
• The national side has failed to score in 8 of their last 10 away games in World Cup qualifiers.
• The Cypriots have conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 away World Cup qualification encounters.

Cyprus Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Neofytos Michael – Andreas Sielis, Stelios Andreou, Konstantinos Laifis, Anderson Correia – Grigoris Kastanos, Kostakis Artymatas, Charalambos Charalambous – Marinos Tzionis, Ioannis Pittas, Loizos Loizou.

Referee Profile

Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)

Matches officiated: 12 (International fixtures, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards (incl. second yellows): 45;

Average yellow cards per match: 3.7;

Red cards: 2;

Average fouls per match: 25;

Penalties awarded: 33%.

Match Prediction: San Marino’s Offensive Struggles

For San Marino, widely considered the weakest national team in Europe and a clear underdog in their group, finding the back of the net is a monumental challenge. Even on home turf, goals are a rarity: over their last 14 World Cup qualifiers at home, San Marino has only managed to score in two matches. Furthermore, in all three previous official head-to-head clashes with Cyprus, the Sanmarinese side has failed to breach their opponents’ defense.

Match Prediction: Cyprus’s Away Goal Scarcity

Cyprus, too, does not impress with a prolific attack, particularly in away fixtures. Over their last ten away World Cup qualifiers, the team has only scored a meager two goals. Moreover, in 19 previous World Cup qualification matches, the Cypriots have never managed to score more than twice against an opponent.

Final Verdict: Low-Scoring Affair Expected

Given these factors, I do not anticipate a high-scoring or offensively dynamic game from either side. My forecast is: “Total Goals Under 3.5”.