The Latvia national football team () represents Latvia in men's international football and is governed by the Latvian Football Federation (LFF), the sport's official governing body in the country.
The team played its first official international match in 1922, a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Estonia, and joined FIFA later that same year. In 1924, Latvia made its Olympic debut by participating in the Summer Games in Paris, and was an active participant in early international football. The team came close to qualifying for the 1938 FIFA World Cup, but political events soon altered its course.
Following the Soviet occupation and annexation of Latvia during World War II, 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 the Latvian SSR in inter-republic tournaments or under the flag of the USSR, limiting the country's independent footballing identity and progress. After regaining independence in 1991, Latvia resumed international competition and achieved its greatest success in 2004, when the team qualified for the UEFA European Championship under head coach Aleksandrs Starkovs â the nationâÂÂs only major tournament appearance to date. Latvia came close to reaching the FIFA World Cup on several occasions, most notably during the 2010 qualification campaign, when the team finished just three points behind a playoff spot. The team regularly competes in the Baltic Cup, a sub-regional tournament between Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Latvia holds the record for the most tournament victories, with 13 titles, most recently in 2018. Home matches are primarily played at Skonto Stadium in Riga, although Daugava Stadium is also used for select fixtures, particularly those requiring greater capacity.
The Latvia national football team played their first official match on 24 September 1922, against Estonia, resulting in a 1âÂÂ1 draw. The first goal in the team's history was scored by forward Edvëns BÃÂrda. In 1920, the Latvian Football Union (today - Latvijas Futbola federÃÂcija) was established, which led to the formation of the national team. Latvia participated in the Football at the 1924 Summer Olympics, but lost their only match 0âÂÂ7 to France. The team's first victory came on 18 October 1924, against Estonia, winning 2âÂÂ0.
In 1928, Latvia triumphed in the inaugural Baltic Cup, defeating the national teams of Lithuania and Estonia. During the 1920s, some of the standout players included goalkeeper Arvëds Jurgens and the BÃÂrda brothersâÂÂEdvëns, Arvëds, and Rà «dolfsâÂÂas well as VoldemÃÂrs GrÃÂvelis, Arnolds Taurià Âà ¡, and Alberts à  eibelis.
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 as Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and Poland. In 1937, Latvia participated in the 1938 FIFA World Cup qualification. Placed in Group 8 alongside Austria and Lithuania, Latvia achieved notable victories, beating Lithuania 4âÂÂ2 in Riga, with a Fricis Kaà Âeps hat-trick and a goal from Iüja Vestermans. In Kaunas, they secured a 5âÂÂ1 win with two goals each from Kaà Âeps, Vaclavs Borduà ¡ko, and Iüja Vestermans. However, they lost 1âÂÂ2 in a decisive away match against Austria, despite an early goal from Vestermans.
In April 1938, Austria's Anschluss rendered their team ineligible to participate in the FIFA World Cup. Despite Latvia being the group's runner-up, FIFA did not invite them to replace Austria.
Latvia played 99 official matches during the pre-war period from 1922 to 1940 and won the Baltic Cup 12 times. The last match of the pre-war Latvian national team was on 18 July 1940, against Estonia, ending in a 1âÂÂ2 loss. The outbreak of World 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.
The best players of the 1930s included JÃÂnis Lidmanis, ÃÂriks Raisters, JÃÂnis Rozëtis, Fricis Kaà Âeps, Iüja Vestermans, and Aleksandrs Vanags. ÃÂriks PÃÂtersons is considered the greatest Latvian footballer of the pre-war era, having scored 21 goals in 63 matches for the national team.
Latvian football's evident growth was abruptly halted and devastated when, in 1940, Latvia was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union. The largest internal sports event in the Soviet Union was the Spartakiad 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 the 1956 Spartakiad, Latvia was represented by FC Daugava Riga. The team played four matches, securing three victories and suffering one defeat, with a goal difference of 10âÂÂ7.
Football returned to the Spartakiad program only in 1979, and once again, Latvia was represented by FC Daugava Riga. However, the results were poor, with one victory and five losses, and a goal difference of 10âÂÂ16. In subsequent Spartakiads, youth teams (under 20 years old) participated instead.
During the Soviet occupation, the Latvian SSR national football team continued to compete in the Baltic Cup â a tournament first held in 1928 â until 1976.
The country regained its independence in 1991, before, in 1990, the Latvian Football Federation (LFF) was reestablished, and Latvia rejoined FIFA 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, JÃÂnis 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 with FK PÃÂrdaugava'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 selected Vadims Ulbergs and Vladimirs Beà ¡karevs as his assistants.
Latvia's first victory came on 10 July 1992, with a 2âÂÂ1 win over Estonia, thanks to two goals by AinÃÂrs Linards. Later that summer, Latvia began its campaign in the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification tournament. The team achieved historic draws against Spain (0âÂÂ0) and Denmark (0âÂÂ0) but suffered heavy defeats to Spain (0âÂÂ5) and Ireland (0âÂÂ4). With five draws and five points, Latvia finished 6th out of 7 teams in their group. Key players during this period included former Riga "Daugava" stars such as Jurijs Popkovs, Jurijs à  evüakovs, Oüegs Aleksejenko, AinÃÂrs Linards, and Oüegs Karavajevs, as well as promising newcomers like Mihails Zemüinskis and VitÃÂlijs Astafjevs.
In the qualification campaign for the 1996 UEFA European Championship, Latvia demonstrated increasing competitiveness, securing wins against Austria and Northern Ireland. The most memorable match of the campaign was a 2âÂÂ3 loss to Portugal in Porto, where Latvia rallied from a 0âÂÂ3 halftime deficit with two goals from young striker Vëts 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 as Imants Bleidelis, Andrejs à  tolcers, and Igors Stepanovs.
In the qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Latvia faced tough competition, narrowly losing to Austria, Scotland, and Sweden. However, the team secured victories against Belarus and Estonia. By this time, the squad's core included Skonto FC players such as VitÃÂlijs Astafjevs, Igors Stepanovs, Marians Pahars, and Andrejs à  tolcers.
In late 1997, JÃÂnis Gilis stepped down as head coach, marking the end of an era. Around the same time, team captain and defensive leader Jurijs à  evüakovs retired from international football. These years laid the groundwork for Latvia's growing competitiveness on the international stage.
On 8 April 1992, after a 52-year hiatus, the restored Latvian national football team played its first match in Bucharest, losing 0âÂÂ2 to Romania. 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 was Vadims Ulbergs, who had witnessed the previous match between Latvia and Romania in 1937, a 0âÂÂ0 draw at the ASK 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 coach Paul van Himst.
Romania fielded an almost full-strength team, with the only notable absence being Gheorghe Hagi, who was withheld by Real Madrid. The match also marked the debut of Romania's coach, Cornel Dinu. The game was hosted at the Complexul Sportiv Steaua, referred to as the "Temple of Romanian Football," built under the direction of one of Nicolae CeauÃÂescu's sons and maintained by the army. Tickets for the match were priced at 150 lei, approximately $2.50.
LatviaâÂÂs head coach, JÃÂnis 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 goalkeeper Raimonds LaizÃÂns slipped while preparing to save a 30-meter shot from Pavel Badea, allowing the ball to soar into the net. Latvia had an opportunity to equalize when Aivars Drupass, assisted by Jurijs Popkovs, made a sharp strike from six meters, but RomaniaâÂÂs goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea reacted brilliantly. Another defensive error early in the second half led to RomaniaâÂÂs second goal. Despite this, LaizÃÂns recovered his composure, earning applause for saving a free kick by Gabi 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, including VitÃÂlijs Teplovs and Aivars Drupass, who played with a minor injury. IlmÃÂrs 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 the Soviet national football team or played in the Soviet 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.
Following Gary Johnson's departure, the experienced Skonto FC head coach Aleksandrs Starkovs was appointed as the head coach of the Latvian national team. Under Starkovs' leadership, Latvia finished the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification cycle with three narrow defeats against group favorites, showcasing the team's growing competitiveness.
The UEFA Euro 2004 qualification campaign began with a 0âÂÂ0 draw against Sweden, followed by a vital 1âÂÂ0 victory over Poland. Latvia then secured two wins against San Marino but suffered a setback with a loss to Hungary. MÃÂris Verpakovskis emerged as the team's new offensive leader, replacing injury-plagued Marians Pahars, while veteran striker Vëts Rimkus returned to the squad.
Despite a 0âÂÂ2 loss to Poland, which complicated LatviaâÂÂs position in the standings, the team rebounded with a 3âÂÂ1 win over Hungary and a crucial 1âÂÂ0 victory against Sweden. Verpakovskis scored in both matches, helping Latvia secure second place in their group and earn a spot in the play-offs.
In November 2003, Latvia faced Turkey, a strong opponent who had recently reached the semi-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In the first leg in Riga, Verpakovskis scored the only goal, giving Latvia a 1âÂÂ0 advantage. The second leg in Istanbul was dramatic, with Turkey taking a 2âÂÂ0 lead. However, Latvia fought back with goals from Juris LaizÃÂns and Verpakovskis, securing a 2âÂÂ2 draw. With a 3âÂÂ2 aggregate victory, Latvia qualified for the UEFA European Championship for the first time in its history.
The key players during this period included Verpakovskis, captain VitÃÂlijs Astafjevs, midfielders Juris LaizÃÂns and Andrejs Rubins, defenders Mihails Zemüinskis and Igors Stepanovs, and goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolià Âko.
In the UEFA Euro 2004 finals held in Portugal, Latvia was drawn into a challenging group alongside the Czech Republic, Germany, and the Netherlands. In their opening match, Latvia delivered a strong performance but lost 1âÂÂ2 to the Czech Republic, with Verpakovskis scoring LatviaâÂÂs first-ever goal in a major tournament.
The second match against Germany was historic, as Latvia achieved a 0âÂÂ0 draw, earning their first point at a European Championship. The final group stage match saw Latvia face the Netherlands, where they suffered a 0âÂÂ3 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 teamâÂÂs ability to compete on the European stage and inspiring future generations.
After Latvia's historic success at UEFA 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 the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. The team faced challenges in maintaining consistency, and the departure of key players like MÃÂris Verpakovskis and Mihails Zemüinskis from their peak form further weakened the squad.
Under Aleksandrs Starkovs, Latvia began its 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, but controversy struck in the opening match against Portugal 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 manage Spartak Moscow in Russia. 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 against Luxembourg and Liechtenstein and drew with Russia, Estonia, and Slovakia. Notably, Latvia suffered their first defeat to Estonia since 1940, losing 1âÂÂ2.
LatviaâÂÂs campaign for Euro 2008 began in a group featuring Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Northern Ireland, and Liechtenstein. The team started with a narrow 0âÂÂ1 loss to Sweden at home, followed by a commanding 4âÂÂ0 victory over Iceland and a 0âÂÂ1 defeat to Northern Ireland.
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 like VitÃÂlijs Astafjevs and MÃÂris 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 the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Drawn into a group with Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, and Luxembourg, Latvia opened with a 2âÂÂ1 victory over Moldova in ChiÃÂinÃÂu. However, the team then suffered defeats to group favorites Greece (0âÂÂ2 at home) and Switzerland (1âÂÂ2 away), despite a header goal from Deniss Ivanovs.
Latvia bounced back with a 1âÂÂ1 draw against Israel in Riga and two wins against Luxembourg (4âÂÂ0 away and 2âÂÂ0 at home). In a pivotal autumn match, Latvia defeated Israel 1âÂÂ0 in Tel Aviv, keeping their hopes alive for a top-two finish.
On 9 September 2009, Latvia drew 2âÂÂ2 against Switzerland at Skonto Stadium, maintaining their contention for second place as Greece surprisingly drew 1âÂÂ1 against Moldova in ChiÃÂinÃÂu. At this stage, Latvia remained in a competitive position to vie for a spot in the FIFA World Cup.
In the penultimate and decisive match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, Latvia faced Greece at the Athens Olympic Stadium. Despite taking a 2âÂÂ1 lead in the first half through MÃÂris 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, while Georgios Samaras also found the net, resulting in a 2âÂÂ5 loss for Latvia.
In the final match of the campaign, Latvia defeated Moldova 3âÂÂ2 at home. Despite finishing third in the group, Latvia narrowly missed out on qualification.
His second term further solidified Starkovsâ legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of Latvian football, showcasing his dedication and impact on the national teamâÂÂs development.
As of the decisive matches, the group standings were tightly contested, with Latvia demonstrating resilience and ambition under Starkovsâ 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 the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying tournament, drawn into Group F with Greece, Croatia, Israel, Georgia, and Malta.
Latvia began the campaign with a 0âÂÂ3 home defeat to Croatia, followed by a 2âÂÂ0 away win against Malta. In October, Latvia lost 0âÂÂ1 to Greece in Athens but secured a last-minute 1âÂÂ1 draw against Georgia in Riga thanks to a Aleksandrs Cauà Âa's equalizer.
The 2011 campaign saw Latvia lose twice to Israel (1âÂÂ2 both home and away) before securing a 1âÂÂ0 victory against Georgia in Tbilisi and a 1âÂÂ1 draw with Greece in Riga. Latvia ended the cycle with a 2âÂÂ0 win over Malta but concluded with a 0âÂÂ2 loss to Croatia. Latvia finished fourth in the group, missing out on qualification.
Latvia participated in the 2014 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 (1âÂÂ2), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1âÂÂ4), and Slovakia (1âÂÂ2) but managed a 2âÂÂ0 victory against Liechtenstein. However, their form faltered in 2013, starting with a disappointing 1âÂÂ1 draw against Liechtenstein and a heavy 0âÂÂ5 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the Bosnia defeat, there were calls within the Latvian Football Federation (LFF) to dismiss head coach Aleksandrs Starkovs, but the board voted against it. Despite the decision, Starkovs later submitted his resignation.
After Starkovs' resignation, former national team player Marians Pahars was appointed as head coach with a contract extending until the end of the 2018 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 Paharsâ tenure as head coach of the Latvian national football team began with a friendly match against Estonia, which ended in a 1âÂÂ1 draw. His first victory came on 6 September 2013, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, with a 2âÂÂ1 win against Lithuania in Riga. However, the team suffered two away losses (0âÂÂ1 against both Greece and Lithuania) before finishing the campaign with a 2âÂÂ2 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 1âÂÂ0 in the final, with Nauris Bulvëtis scoring the winning goal. This victory marked Latvia's 22nd Baltic Cup win.
The UEFA Euro 2016 qualification campaign was Paharsâ 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 0âÂÂ0 draw away against Kazakhstan. They then lost 0âÂÂ3 at home to Iceland, followed by a 1âÂÂ1 draw with Turkey. A heavy 0âÂÂ6 defeat to the Netherlands concluded the year. In 2015, Latvia drew 1âÂÂ1 against the Czech Republic, conceding an equalizer in the 90th minute, and lost 0âÂÂ2 in a rematch against the Netherlands.
A 1âÂÂ1 draw in Turkey and a 2âÂÂ2 draw in Iceland highlighted occasional resilience. However, the campaign ended on a sour note with a 0âÂÂ1 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 2âÂÂ1 and drew 0âÂÂ0 with Estonia to secure the title.
Latvia began their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a promising 1âÂÂ0 away win against Andorra. However, the team struggled in subsequent matches:
Losses to the Faroe Islands (0âÂÂ2), Hungary (0âÂÂ2), Portugal (1âÂÂ4), and Switzerland (0âÂÂ1) followed. On 28 March 2017, Latvia suffered a crushing 0âÂÂ5 defeat to Georgia in a friendly match. This prompted Marians Pahars to submit his resignation, ending his tenure as head coach.
Despite occasional successes, including two Baltic Cup victories, Paharsâ time as coach was marked by inconsistency in competitive matches, culminating in a disappointing World Cup qualification campaign.
On 19 April 2017, Aleksandrs Starkovs was appointed head coach of the Latvian national team for the third time, replacing Marians Pahars. Starkovs' return saw a series of disappointing results, with the sole victory being a 1âÂÂ0 win against Andorra on 10 October in the final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
During his tenure, Latvia reached its lowest-ever FIFA World Ranking, falling to 148th place in September 2017. After a shocking 0âÂÂ1 loss to Gibraltar on 25 March 2018, Starkovs was dismissed.
On 24 May 2018, Finnish coach Miksu Paatelainen was appointed head coach. Under his leadership, Latvia won the 2018 Baltic Cup, a bright moment amidst otherwise underwhelming results.
LatviaâÂÂs campaign in the 2018âÂÂ19 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 coach Slavià ¡a Stojanoviàwas named head coach. His tenure was marked by a record nine consecutive defeats during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualification campaign. Latvia managed only one win, a surprise 1âÂÂ0 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 StojanoviÃÂ, ending a tumultuous chapter in the teamâÂÂs history.
This period highlighted LatviaâÂÂs struggles on the international stage, with fleeting moments of success overshadowed by poor performances and instability at the managerial level.
In early 2020, the Latvian football community increasingly voiced the need for a local specialist to lead the national teamâÂÂsomeone familiar with the nuances of Latvian football. Amid political uncertainty within the Latvian 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 Slavià ¡a StojanoviÃÂâÂÂs dismissal, Dainis KazakeviÃÂs was appointed as head coach for a three-year term.
In the 2020âÂÂ2021 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 5âÂÂ0 victory against Andorra in the last game but finished third in the group.
Despite this disappointing start, the LFF remained committed to KazakeviÃÂsâ long-term vision. This decision bore fruit with an eight-match unbeaten streak (including friendlies) and Latvia's triumph in the 2022âÂÂ2023 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 1âÂÂ2 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 through Vladislavs Gutkovskis. However, a critical error by goalkeeper PÃÂvels à  teinbors 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 LatviaâÂÂs hopes of securing a playoff spot for UEFA Euro 2024.
KazakeviÃÂs 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 âÂÂDainisOutâ gaining traction.
The national teamâÂÂs 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 KazakeviÃÂsâ resignation.
The sustained public and media pressure eventually led to the termination of KazakeviÃÂsâ contract, bringing an end to his tenure as head coach.
KazakeviÃÂs' era was a mix of modest successes and persistent challenges. While LatviaâÂÂs Nations 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 the Latvian 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.
All Latvian matches are currently broadcast with full commentary on the Go3 web streaming service, owned by TV3 Group. Since the 1990s, LTV7 (initially LTV2) was the broadcaster of all of the team games, before the All Media Baltics conglomerate took over broadcasting rights in September 2018. Games were broadcast on the group's TV6 channel and the TVPlay and Viaplay 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 Swedish Viaplay Group on their web streaming service. On 20 July 2023, Viaplay announced that it will leave the market of the Baltic states. Upon exiting, all sports licenses owned by Viasat - including the Baltic broadcasting rights for the Baltic Cup, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, Formula 1 and the NHL - were acquired by TV3 Group. This means that the matches of the Latvian national football team are returning LTV7, in September 2024.
In recent years, the home venue of the team has fluctuated between Skonto Stadium and the Daugava 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. 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. At the time, Latvian Football Federation president Vadims ûaà ¡enko said that Skonto would become the main home of the men's team, with Daugava serving as a backup and the venue for the women's and youth national teams.
In the interwar era between 1921 and 1940, games were held in various locations such as the Army Sports Club Stadium in Riga and others.
The following table provides a summary of Latvia's results at home venues since 1992. .
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
.
The following players were called up for the 2024âÂÂ25 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs against Gibraltar on 26 and 31 March 2026.
Caps and goals as of 15 November 2025, after the match against North Macedonia.
The following players have been called up within the last twelve months.
<sup>RET</sup> Retired from national team<br> <sup>INJ</sup> Injured player<br> <sup>WD</sup> Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue
As of 16 November 2025 after match against Serbia.