24 March 2007 - The Newest Kids On The International Block

On 24 March 2007, Montenegro played their first-ever match, winning 2-1 against Hungary in a friendly.

Despite their recent vintage, international football in Montenegro dates back to 1919 when the area was part of Yugoslavia. In 1991, after the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Montenegro joined with fellow ex-SFR state Serbia as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Then, in 2003, they changed the name of the country to Serbia and Montenegro.

A further shift followed in 2006 when Montenegro claimed independence from Serbia. The administration and history of the formerly combined national team remained with Serbia, who also inherited the membership in FIFA and UEFA. As a result, Montenegro started a brand new football association and national team.

The new Montenegrin national team officially joined UEFA in January 2007 and FIFA later that year. The match against Hungary was their first official match. Played before a crowd of approximately 12,000 at the Stadion Pod Goricum, Montenegro's national stadium, the visitors took a lead in the first minute, but striker Mirko Vučinić pulled the hosts level with a 63rd-minute penalty kick. Midfielder Igor Burzanović then scored the match winner from the spot in the 81st minute.

Montenegro has risen to 25th in the recent FIFA world rankings and currently top their group for Euro 2012 qualification, over England, Bulgaria, Switzerland, and Wales.

28 June 2006 - Yugoslavia Yu-Goes Away

On 28 June 2006, the Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro (the FSSCG) split into two separate associations: the Football Association of Serbia (the FSS) and the Football Association of Montenegro (the the FSCG). The split eliminated the last football remnants of a unified Yugoslavia, as all of its former republics now had their own associations.

The Yugoslavian national football team had existed in various forms since 1920, when it represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Its most successful squad during that period was the 1930 team, which reached the World Cup semifinals.

After a hiatus from 1941 to 1945 due to World War II, the team re-emerged under the banner of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. They enjoyed a strong period in the 1960s, finishing in fourth place at the 1962 World Cup and reaching the Final in both the 1960 and 1968 UEFA European Championships. At that time, Yugoslavia comprised six regional republics - Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia - as well as two autonomous provinces - Kosovo and Vojvodina.

In 1991, Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence, triggering the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic. In 1992, Serbia and Montenegro established the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Despite finishing at the top of their qualifying group for the 1992 UEFA European Championship, the Federal Republic was banned from participating in the tournament due to the ongoing civil wars among the former Yugoslav states. FIFA also banned it from participating in the 1994 World Cup.

In 2003, the Federal Republic officially dropped the name "Yugoslavia" and changed its name to Serbia and Montenegro for both the state and the national team. Montenegro then declared its independence from Serbia in 2006, resulting in the split between the two football associations and ending the last political union between former Yugoslav republics. FIFA recognizes the Serbian side as the successor to Yugoslavia.

At present, Serbia is at the top of its qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup, while Montenegro is near the bottom of its group.