PMFL: Skopje showdown at FFM — Vardar vs Shkëndija Aračinovo
Match in round 8 tonight at 20:00 at the FFM ground in Skopje; newcomers Aračinovo lie above Vardar in the table and the game will be played without spectators.
Tonight, September 19, 2026, at 20:00 (8:00 PM) the Football Federation of North Macedonia (FFM) arena in Skopje will host a capital derby in the Macedonian First League: Vardar versus Shkëndija Aračinovo in round 8.
On the table ahead of the match, surprising numbers stand out: Vardar sit fifth with 11 points, while newcomers Shkëndija Aračinovo are ahead in fourth with 13 points. Aračinovo are playing their debut season in the top flight.
What to watch
Shkëndija Aračinovo have been the season’s revelation so far. Coach Berat Imeri’s side have performed like an established first‑division team, and from Aračinovo there are even voices talking about a push for European qualification. Imeri has built a competitive squad that plays with confidence and consistency.
Vardar arrive under new leadership: coach "Grof" Božović began his spell with a win against Arsimi but was then outplayed in Kumanovo by Bashkimi. Despite that mixed start, Vardar are clear pre‑match favourites — and anything short of a win would be read as another setback for the country’s most decorated club.
The match will be played behind closed doors because of the incidents in the game with Arsimi and the subsequent sanction imposed on Vardar. The referee appointed for tonight’s fixture is Done Ristovski.
Kick‑off is at 20:00 on September 19, 2026 at the FFM ground in Skopje. Expect a focused, physical game from an Aračinovo side eager to prove they belong and from a Vardar team under pressure to climb the table.
Photo: press material from the event
