TheLatvia national football team (Latvian:Latvijas futbola izlase) representsLatvia in men's internationalfootball and is governed by theLatvian Football Federation (LFF), the sport's official governing body in the country.
The team played its first official international match in 1922,[4] a 1–1 draw againstEstonia, and joinedFIFA later that same year. In 1924, Latvia made its Olympic debut by participating in theSummer Games in Paris, and was an active participant in early international football. The team came close to qualifying for the1938 FIFA World Cup, but political events soon altered its course.[5]
Following theSoviet occupation and annexation of Latvia duringWorld War II,[6] the national team disappeared from the international stage for over 50 years. Football development in Latvia was largely constrained under the Soviet system, where local players could only compete as part of theLatvian SSR in inter-republic tournaments or under the flag of the USSR, limiting the country's independent footballing identity and progress.After regainingindependence in 1991, Latvia resumed international competition and achieved its greatest success in 2004, when the team qualified for theUEFA European Championship under head coachAleksandrs Starkovs — the nation’s only major tournament appearance to date.Latvia came close to reaching the FIFA World Cup on several occasions, most notably during the2010 qualification campaign, when the team finished just three points behind a playoff spot. The team regularly competes in theBaltic Cup, a sub-regional tournament betweenLatvia,Lithuania, andEstonia. Latvia holds the record for the most tournament victories, with 13 titles, most recently in2018.Home matches are primarily played atSkonto Stadium inRiga, althoughDaugava Stadium is also used for select fixtures, particularly those requiring greater capacity.
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The Latvia national football team played their first official match on 24 September 1922, against Estonia, resulting in a 1–1 draw. The first goal in the team's history was scored by forwardEdvīns Bārda. In 1920, the Latvian Football Union (today - Latvijas Futbola federācija) was established, which led to the formation of the national team. Latvia participated in theFootball at the 1924 Summer Olympics, but lost their only match 0–7 toFrance. The team's first victory came on 18 October 1924, againstEstonia, winning 2–0.[7]
The 1930s marked a period of growth for the Latvian national team, particularly between 1936 and 1938 under Austrian coach Rudolf Stanzl. Latvia frequently played friendly matches against teams such asLithuania,Estonia,Finland,Sweden, andPoland. In 1937, Latvia participated in the1938 FIFA World Cup qualification. Placed in Group 8 alongsideAustria andLithuania, Latvia achieved notable victories, beating Lithuania 4–2 inRiga, with aFricis Kaņeps hat-trick and a goal fromIļja Vestermans. InKaunas, they secured a 5–1 win with two goals each fromKaņeps,Vaclavs Borduško, andIļja Vestermans. However, they lost 1–2 in a decisive away match againstAustria, despite an early goal from Vestermans.
In April 1938, Austria'sAnschluss rendered their team ineligible to participate in theFIFA World Cup. Despite Latvia being the group's runner-up, FIFA did not invite them to replaceAustria.
Latvia played 99 official matches during the pre-war period from 1922 to 1940 and won theBaltic Cup 12 times. The last match of the pre-war Latvian national team was on 18 July 1940, againstEstonia, ending in a 1–2 loss. The outbreak ofWorld War II initially limited and eventually halted the team's activities entirely. During the German and Soviet occupations, the Latvian national team ceased to exist in its form during Latvia's independence.
Latvian football's evident growth was abruptly halted and devastated when, in 1940, Latvia wasoccupied and annexed by theSoviet Union.The largest internal sports event in the Soviet Union was theSpartakiad of the Peoples of the USSR. Football was included in some editions, featuring teams representing the Soviet republics, as well as Moscow and Leningrad. In the1956 Spartakiad, Latvia was represented byFC Daugava Riga. The team played four matches, securing three victories and suffering one defeat, with a goal difference of 10–7.[citation needed]
Football returned to theSpartakiad program only in1979, and once again, Latvia was represented byFC Daugava Riga. However, the results were poor, with one victory and five losses, and a goal difference of 10–16. In subsequentSpartakiads, youth teams (under 20 years old) participated instead.
During theSoviet occupation, the Latvian SSR national football team continued to compete in theBaltic Cup — a tournament first held in 1928 — until 1976.
The Early Years of the Restored Latvian National Team (1992–1997)
The countryregained its independence in1991, before, in 1990, theLatvian Football Federation (LFF) was reestablished, and Latvia rejoinedFIFA shortly after regaining independence. However, the Latvian national football team had to be built from scratch. In December 1991, during an LFF executive committee meeting,Jānis Gilis was appointed as the first head coach of the restored national team. It was decided that the position of national team head coach was of such importance that it should not be combined with any club coaching roles. Gilis committed to focusing entirely on the national team, stepping down from his role withFK Pārdaugava's youth team. His competitor for the position, Marks Zahodins, expressed willingness to support Gilis as an assistant coach if needed.
Following his appointment, Gilis emphasized the challenge of assembling a team from scratch, meeting with potential players, and ensuring that those selected prioritized national pride above all else. The experimental team fielded in the autumn of 1991 was put together hastily, even lacking proper kits initially. Offers from international suppliers soon resolved this issue, and Gilis selectedVadims Ulbergs and Vladimirs Beškarevs as his assistants.
In the qualification campaign for the1996 UEFA European Championship, Latvia demonstrated increasing competitiveness, securing wins againstAustria andNorthern Ireland. The most memorable match of the campaign was a 2–3 loss toPortugal inPorto, where Latvia rallied from a 0–3 halftime deficit with two goals from young strikerVīts Rimkus, who became the team's top scorer of the campaign with five goals in five matches. This period also saw the emergence of new talents such asImants Bleidelis,Andrejs Štolcers, andIgors Stepanovs.
In late 1997,Jānis Gilis stepped down as head coach, marking the end of an era. Around the same time, team captain and defensive leaderJurijs Ševļakovs retired from international football. These years laid the groundwork for Latvia's growing competitiveness on the international stage.
The 100th Game of the Restored Latvian National Team
On 8 April 1992, after a 52-year hiatus, the restored Latvian national football team played its first match inBucharest, losing 0–2 toRomania. This marked Latvia's 100th match in its football history, with 10,000 spectators in attendance. The players experienced unfamiliar conditions, as accommodations, catering, and training facilities were of the highest standard.
A notable figure in the Latvian Football Federation (LFF) delegation wasVadims Ulbergs, who had witnessed the previous match between Latvia andRomania in 1937, a 0–0 draw at theASK Stadium in Riga. The match in Bucharest attracted significant media attention, with representatives from all teams in the upcoming qualification cycle present, including the Belgian coachPaul van Himst.
Romania fielded an almost full-strength team, with the only notable absence beingGheorghe Hagi, who was withheld byReal Madrid. The match also marked the debut of Romania's coach,Cornel Dinu. The game was hosted at theComplexul Sportiv Steaua, referred to as the "Temple of Romanian Football," built under the direction of one ofNicolae Ceaușescu's sons and maintained by the army. Tickets for the match were priced at 150 lei, approximately $2.50.
Latvia’s head coach,Jānis Gilis, opted to trust younger players and implemented a tactical scheme with two free defenders, placing additional pressure on the midfielders and forwards. The first half was promising, but in the second half, a lack of discipline allowed Romania to dominate territorially.
The match began with a costly mistake when goalkeeperRaimonds Laizāns slipped while preparing to save a 30-meter shot fromPavel Badea, allowing the ball to soar into the net. Latvia had an opportunity to equalize whenAivars Drupass, assisted byJurijs Popkovs, made a sharp strike from six meters, but Romania’s goalkeeperBogdan Stelea reacted brilliantly. Another defensive error early in the second half led to Romania’s second goal. Despite this, Laizāns recovered his composure, earning applause for saving a free kick byGabi Balint in the 84th minute.
Rolands Bulders also came close to scoring but could not produce a strong enough shot in a favorable position. While the team showed resilience, Gilis expressed disappointment with some players, includingVitālijs Teplovs andAivars Drupass, who played with a minor injury.Ilmārs Verpakovskis, meanwhile, struggled due to his age. Gilis emphasized the need for a stronger attack, acknowledging that solid defence alone would not secure victories.
Romanian observers were astonished to learn that none of the Latvian players had ever competed for theSoviet national football team or played in theSoviet Top League. This game provided Latvia with an opportunity to showcase its potential on the international stage, serving as a catalyst for growth. However, progress was hampered by a lack of professionalism in some teams and a casual attitude toward training among certain players.
The Starkovs–Verpakovskis Era and UEFA Euro 2004 (2001–2004)
FollowingGary Johnson's departure, the experiencedSkonto FC head coachAleksandrs Starkovs was appointed as the head coach of the Latvian national team. Under Starkovs' leadership, Latvia finished the2002 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle with three narrow defeats against group favorites, showcasing the team's growing competitiveness.
Marians Pahars Against Scotland in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Despite a 0–2 loss toPoland, which complicated Latvia’s position in the standings, the team rebounded with a 3–1 win overHungary and a crucial 1–0 victory againstSweden. Verpakovskis scored in both matches, helping Latvia secure second place in their group and earn a spot in theplay-offs.
In November 2003, Latvia facedTurkey, a strong opponent who had recently reached the semi-finals of the2002 FIFA World Cup. In the first leg inRiga, Verpakovskis scored the only goal, giving Latvia a 1–0 advantage. The second leg inIstanbul was dramatic, withTurkey taking a 2–0 lead. However, Latvia fought back with goals fromJuris Laizāns and Verpakovskis, securing a 2–2 draw. With a 3–2 aggregate victory, Latvia qualified for theUEFA European Championship for the first time in its history.
Latvia's National Team Celebrates Euro 2004 Qualification in Turkey
In theUEFA Euro 2004 finals held inPortugal, Latvia was drawn into a challenginggroup alongside theCzech Republic,Germany, and theNetherlands. In their opening match, Latvia delivered a strong performance but lost 1–2 to theCzech Republic, with Verpakovskis scoring Latvia’s first-ever goal in a major tournament.
Latvian fans at Euro 2004
The second match againstGermany was historic, as Latvia achieved a 0–0 draw, earning their first point at a European Championship. The final group stage match saw Latvia face theNetherlands, where they suffered a 0–3 defeat, ending their journey in the tournament.
Although Latvia did not advance past the group stage, their performances, especially the draw against Germany, were widely praised. The campaign marked a golden era for Latvian football, with Starkovs' strategic leadership and Verpakovskis' outstanding form bringing the team to unprecedented heights.
This period remains a cornerstone in Latvian football history, demonstrating the team’s ability to compete on the European stage and inspiring future generations.
After Latvia's historic success atUEFA Euro 2004,Aleksandrs Starkovs remained at the helm of the national team, but subsequent results failed to meet the high expectations set during the golden era. Latvia struggled in the qualification campaigns for the2006 FIFA World Cup andUEFA Euro 2008. The team faced challenges in maintaining consistency, and the departure of key players likeMāris Verpakovskis andMihails Zemļinskis from their peak form further weakened the squad.
UnderAleksandrs Starkovs, Latvia began its2006 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, but controversy struck in the opening match againstPortugal when Starkovs was suspended for six games. His assistant,Jurijs Andrejevs, took charge from the sidelines, while Starkovs continued as head coach for the next four matches.
In November 2004, Starkovs resigned from his role, opting to manageSpartak Moscow inRussia. Andrejevs was promoted to head coach but failed to deliver notable success. Latvia ended the qualification cycle in 5th place in their group with 15 points from 12 matches. The team managed victories only againstLuxembourg andLiechtenstein and drew withRussia,Estonia, andSlovakia. Notably, Latvia suffered their first defeat toEstonia since 1940, losing 1–2.
After a shock loss to Liechtenstein in March 2007, Andrejevs resigned as head coach. In April,Aleksandrs Starkovs returned to lead the team. Under his guidance, Latvia achieved victories over Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Northern Ireland, but suffered defeats to Spain, Denmark, and Sweden. Latvia concluded the qualification cycle in 5th place in their group.
During his second tenure, Starkovs aimed to rebuild the team by integrating younger players while relying on experienced veterans likeVitālijs Astafjevs andMāris Verpakovskis to provide leadership. While Latvia did not achieve the same level of success as during the early 2000s, Starkovs' influence helped maintain competitiveness and ensured that the team remained a respected opponent in international football.In the fall of 2008, Latvia began their qualification campaign for the2010 FIFA World Cup. Drawn into a group withGreece,Israel,Switzerland,Moldova, andLuxembourg, Latvia opened with a 2–1 victory over Moldova in Chișinău. However, the team then suffered defeats to group favorites Greece (0–2 at home) and Switzerland (1–2 away), despite a header goal fromDeniss Ivanovs.
Latvia bounced back with a 1–1 draw against Israel in Riga and two wins against Luxembourg (4–0 away and 2–0 at home). In a pivotal autumn match, Latvia defeated Israel 1–0 in Tel Aviv, keeping their hopes alive for a top-two finish.
On 9 September 2009, Latvia drew 2–2 against Switzerland atSkonto Stadium, maintaining their contention for second place as Greece surprisingly drew 1–1 against Moldova inChișinău. At this stage, Latvia remained in a competitive position to vie for a spot in theFIFA World Cup.
Latvia's National Team Draws Against Switzerland in 2009
In the penultimate and decisive match of the2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, Latvia faced Greece at theAthens Olympic Stadium. Despite taking a 2–1 lead in the first half throughMāris Verpakovskis, a controversial penalty awarded to Greece early in the second half turned the tide.Theofanis Gekas scored from the spot and added two more goals, whileGeorgios Samaras also found the net, resulting in a 2–5 loss for Latvia.
In the final match of the campaign, Latvia defeated Moldova 3–2 at home. Despite finishing third in the group, Latvia narrowly missed out on qualification.
His second term further solidified Starkovs’ legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of Latvian football, showcasing his dedication and impact on the national team’s development.
As of the decisive matches, the group standings were tightly contested, with Latvia demonstrating resilience and ambition under Starkovs’ leadership. The team's ability to challenge strong opponents marked a continued effort to build on the success of the early 2000s.
From September 2010 to October 2011, Latvia competed in theUEFA Euro 2012 qualifying tournament, drawn into Group F with Greece, Croatia, Israel, Georgia, and Malta.
Latvia began the campaign with a 0–3 home defeat to Croatia, followed by a 2–0 away win against Malta. In October, Latvia lost 0–1 to Greece in Athens but secured a last-minute 1–1 draw against Georgia in Riga thanks to aAleksandrs Cauņa's equalizer.
The 2011 campaign saw Latvia lose twice to Israel (1–2 both home and away) before securing a 1–0 victory against Georgia in Tbilisi and a 1–1 draw with Greece in Riga. Latvia ended the cycle with a 2–0 win over Malta but concluded with a 0–2 loss to Croatia. Latvia finished fourth in the group, missing out on qualification.
Latvia participated in the2014 FIFA World Cup qualification from September 2012 to October 2013. The team was placed in Group G alongside Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, and Liechtenstein.
Latvia started with losses to Greece (1–2), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1–4), and Slovakia (1–2) but managed a 2–0 victory against Liechtenstein. However, their form faltered in 2013, starting with a disappointing 1–1 draw against Liechtenstein and a heavy 0–5 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the Bosnia defeat, there were calls within theLatvian Football Federation (LFF) to dismiss head coachAleksandrs Starkovs, but the board voted against it. Despite the decision, Starkovs later submitted his resignation.
After Starkovs' resignation, former national team playerMarians Pahars was appointed as head coach with a contract extending until the end of the2018 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle. This marked a new chapter for the Latvian national team, as Pahars sought to rejuvenate the squad and improve its competitiveness on the international stage.
Marians Pahars’ tenure as head coach of the Latvian national football team began with a friendly match against Estonia, which ended in a 1–1 draw. His first victory came on 6 September 2013, during the2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, with a 2–1 win against Lithuania in Riga. However, the team suffered two away losses (0–1 against both Greece and Lithuania) before finishing the campaign with a 2–2 draw against Slovakia. Latvia concluded the qualification cycle in 5th place in their group, ahead of Liechtenstein but trailing Lithuania by three points.
In the 2014 Baltic Cup, Latvia defeated Estonia in the semifinals following a penalty shootout and secured the title by beating Lithuania 1–0 in the final, withNauris Bulvītis scoring the winning goal. This victory marked Latvia's 22nd Baltic Cup win.
TheUEFA Euro 2016 qualification campaign was Pahars’ first full qualification cycle as head coach. Latvia was drawn into Group A alongside the Czech Republic, Iceland, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
Latvia started with a 0–0 draw away against Kazakhstan. They then lost 0–3 at home to Iceland, followed by a 1–1 draw with Turkey. A heavy 0–6 defeat to the Netherlands concluded the year. In 2015, Latvia drew 1–1 against the Czech Republic, conceding an equalizer in the 90th minute, and lost 0–2 in a rematch against the Netherlands.
A 1–1 draw in Turkey and a 2–2 draw in Iceland highlighted occasional resilience.However, the campaign ended on a sour note with a 0–1 home defeat to Kazakhstan, leaving Latvia in last place (6th) in the group standings. Latvia rebounded in June 2016 by winning the Baltic Cup for the 23rd time. They defeated Lithuania 2–1 and drew 0–0 with Estonia to secure the title.
Latvia began their2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a promising 1–0 away win against Andorra. However, the team struggled in subsequent matches:
Losses to the Faroe Islands (0–2), Hungary (0–2), Portugal (1–4), and Switzerland (0–1) followed. On 28 March 2017, Latvia suffered a crushing 0–5 defeat to Georgia in a friendly match. This promptedMarians Pahars to submit his resignation, ending his tenure as head coach.
Despite occasional successes, including twoBaltic Cup victories, Pahars’ time as coach was marked by inconsistency in competitive matches, culminating in a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign.
Starkovs' Third Stint and Foreign Coaches (2017–2020)
On 19 April 2017, Aleksandrs Starkovs was appointed head coach of the Latvian national team for the third time, replacingMarians Pahars. Starkovs' return saw a series of disappointing results, with the sole victory being a 1–0 win against Andorra on 10 October in the final match of the2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
During his tenure, Latvia reached its lowest-everFIFA World Ranking, falling to 148th place in September 2017. After a shocking 0–1 loss to Gibraltar on 25 March 2018, Starkovs was dismissed.
On 24 May 2018, Finnish coachMiksu Paatelainen was appointed head coach. Under his leadership, Latvia won the2018 Baltic Cup, a bright moment amidst otherwise underwhelming results.
Latvia’s campaign in the2018–19 UEFA Nations League was considered disappointing by many. In their League D group alongside Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Andorra, Latvia failed to win a match, collecting only four points and finishing third in the group. Following these results, Paatelainen left his position as head coach.
On 1 March 2019, Slovenian coachSlaviša Stojanović was named head coach. His tenure was marked by a record nine consecutive defeats during theUEFA Euro 2020 qualification campaign. Latvia managed only one win, a surprise 1–0 victory over Austria in their final group match.
Latvia finished last in their group, which included Poland, Austria, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Israel. In January 2020, the Latvian Football Federation terminated its contract with Stojanović, ending a tumultuous chapter in the team’s history.
This period highlighted Latvia’s struggles on the international stage, with fleeting moments of success overshadowed by poor performances and instability at the managerial level.
Dainis Kazakevičs’ Era: The Positive Vector and Challenges (2020–2023)
In early 2020, the Latvian football community increasingly voiced the need for a local specialist to lead the national team—someone familiar with the nuances of Latvian football. Amid political uncertainty within theLatvian Football Federation (LFF), which was briefly without a president, the regular rotation of head coaches seemed unlikely to yield a long-term solution. Thus, following Slaviša Stojanović’s dismissal,Dainis Kazakevičs was appointed as head coach for a three-year term.
In the 2020–2021 UEFA Nations League, Latvia competed in Group D alongside the Faroe Islands, Malta, and Andorra. Despite high hopes, the team failed to secure a win in its first five matches, drawing four and losing to Malta. Latvia finally claimed a decisive 5–0 victory against Andorra in the last game but finished third in the group.
Despite this disappointing start, the LFF remained committed to Kazakevičs’ long-term vision. This decision bore fruit with an eight-match unbeaten streak (including friendlies) and Latvia's triumph in the 2022–2023 UEFA Nations League. Latvia won their group against Andorra, Moldova, and Liechtenstein, securing promotion to League C.
The campaign nearly unraveled in the penultimate match, where Latvia suffered a surprising 1–2 defeat to Moldova in front of a packed home crowd in Riga. This result left the decisive final game against Andorra fraught with tension.
In Andorra, Latvia took the lead in the 50th minute throughVladislavs Gutkovskis. However, a critical error by goalkeeperPāvels Šteinbors allowed Andorra to equalize two minutes before full time. The draw left the team stunned, but Latvia retained first place in the group due to a superior goal difference over Moldova, earning promotion to League C. Unfortunately, the shaky end to the season dashed Latvia’s hopes of securing a playoff spot forUEFA Euro 2024.
Kazakevičs faced criticism from the outset, with skeptics questioning his suitability for the role. Although the five-match winning streak in 2022 brought some relief, doubts persisted. By 2023, public pressure reached a peak, with the slogan “DainisOut” gaining traction.
The national team’s performance in 2023 exacerbated discontent. Out of ten matches, Latvia lost nine, scoring just two goals in their last six games. Even a win over Armenia was overshadowed by fan protests, as supporters demonstratively left the stands during the first half, demanding Kazakevičs’ resignation.
The sustained public and media pressure eventually led to the termination of Kazakevičs’ contract, bringing an end to his tenure as head coach.
Kazakevičs' era was a mix of modest successes and persistent challenges. While Latvia’sNations League promotion to League C marked a positive milestone, inconsistent performances and public dissatisfaction highlighted the difficulty of building a cohesive and competitive national team.
Latvia's kit is traditionally a carmine red jersey with white trim, carmine red shorts and socks, whilst their current away kit is all predominantly white. Latvia's kits have been produced by various manufacturers.
Until July 2018, the team crest consisted of theLatvian Football Federation logo, when it was switched to a shield with a football in the colors of the Latvian flag and 'LATVIJA' written above. A similar crest with a head of a howling wolf was also unveiled as a secondary logo for use in souvenirs etc. as part of the #11vilki (#11wolves) brand.[8]
All Latvian matches are currently broadcast with full commentary on theGo3 web streaming service, owned byTV3 Group. Since the 1990s,LTV7 (initially LTV2) was the broadcaster of all of the team games, before theAll Media Baltics conglomerate took over broadcasting rights in September 2018.[9] Games were broadcast on the group'sTV6 channel and theTVPlay andViaplay streaming platforms.All Media Baltics later became TV3 Group.
From the 2022 season until the 2028 season, Latvia's home and away qualifiers, and friendlies both home and away were broadcast live exclusively by SwedishViaplay Group on their web streaming service. On 20 July 2023, Viaplay announced that it will leave the market of theBaltic states.[10][11] Upon exiting, all sports licenses owned by Viasat - including the Baltic broadcasting rights for theBaltic Cup,UEFA Champions League,Premier League,Formula 1 and theNHL - were acquired by TV3 Group.[12] This means that the matches of the Latvian national football team are returningLTV7, in September 2024.[13][14]
In recent years, the home venue of the team has fluctuated betweenSkonto Stadium and theDaugava Stadium in Riga. Daugava was the main venue of the team from 1992 to 2000, when Skonto Stadium was unveiled as a temporary location due to the planned renovation of the Daugava. However, the renovation of the complex only began in 2017, with the first stage completed a year later.
The team then returned to the Daugava after an 18-year absence in the summer of 2018 with a game against Estonia on 2 June.[15] However, since mid-2022 home matches were once again temporarily moved to Skonto Stadium due to problems with the grass pitch and other issues. Works on replacing and upgrading the pitch began in October 2023.[16] At the time, Latvian Football Federation presidentVadims Ļašenko said that Skonto would become the main home of the men's team, with Daugava serving as a backup and the venue for thewomen's and youth national teams.[17]
In the interwar era between 1921 and 1940, games were held in various locations such as theArmy Sports Club Stadium in Riga and others.
