Bulgarian football legend Dimitar Penev, who led his national team to the 1994 World Cup semi-finals, has died at the age of 80. FIFA honored him as an 'icon of world football' following his passing on January 5, 2026. Tributes poured in from the Bulgaria Football Union and former players like Hristo Stoichkov.
Dimitar Penev, a towering figure in Bulgarian football, passed away on January 5, 2026, prompting widespread mourning across the sport. As both a player and coach, Penev left an indelible mark, earning recognition from FIFA as one of the most influential figures in Bulgarian football history.
Penev's playing career began at Lokomotiv Sofia, where he won a Bulgarian league title in 1964. He then joined PFC CSKA Sofia, securing seven league titles and five Bulgarian Cups, contributing to a total of 13 trophies. A stylish yet physical centre-back, he earned 90 caps for Bulgaria between 1964 and 1977, scoring two goals and featuring in three consecutive FIFA World Cups: England 1966, Mexico 1970, and West Germany 1974. Voted Bulgarian Player of the Year in 1967 and 1971, Penev made 364 league appearances without ever being sent off before retiring at age 32 in 1977.
Transitioning to coaching, Penev took charge of CSKA Sofia in 1985, winning three league titles and four domestic cups. He guided a CSKA side featuring Hristo Stoichkov to the semi-finals of the 1989 European Cup Winners' Cup, where they fell to Barcelona. His pinnacle achievement came in 1994, when he coached Bulgaria to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in the USA, defeating Argentina and Germany en route to a fourth-place finish. The team included stars like Krasimir Balakov, Emil Kostadinov, Yordan Lechkov, and Stoichkov. Penev also qualified Bulgaria for UEFA EURO 1996 and was later named Bulgaria's coach of the 20th century. He mentored emerging talents such as Dimitar Berbatov and Martin Petrov.
Bulgaria Football Union president Georgi Ivanov paid tribute: “A genuine legend has left us. Dimitar Penev was a man loved by everyone not only because of his success as a player and as a coach but also because he was an extraordinary personality and human being. Until his last day he worked for the good of Bulgarian football. His legacy will be unmatched. We will forever be thankful because he put Bulgaria among the best teams on the planet.”
Hristo Stoichkov, who played under Penev at CSKA and for Bulgaria, added: “His smile was unforgettable. He was always smiling. Dimitar Penev was a coach, a father and a friend. I had the luck to work under him for many years and will forever be thankful to him.”
FIFA's statement highlighted Penev's role in elevating Bulgarian football on the global stage, from his defensive prowess to his tactical acumen as a coach.
