# Latvia women's national football team

The Latvia women's national football team (Latvian: Latvijas sieviešu futbola izlase) represents Latvia in international football and is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia. They have never qualified for the major tournament.
Latvia, alongside their Baltic rivals, Lithuania and Estonia, is also participating in the local sub-regional Women's Baltic Cup, which takes place every year. Latvia has won this tournament five times, the first time in 1997. The next moment of triumph had to wait until 2011, and in 2017, 2018 and 2019 Latvia won the trophy three years in a row.

## History

In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), women's football was not a recognized sport – in 1972, the Sports Committee of the USSR even banned women's football competitions. That is why women played the first official football matches in Latvia only in 1989, when the first women's team "Latvija" was created. The players were mostly invited from other sports, so the football players had good physical preparation, and several players from Lithuania were also invited to help. In 1990, the team was renamed to RAF Jelgava, participating in the first championship of the highest league of the USSR, where they took eighth place in the competition of 24 teams. RAF played one more season in the top league of the USSR, but another team from Latvia – Ogres "Fortūna" – competed in the first league of the USSR. After the collapse of the USSR, the "RAF" professional team disbanded, and thus women's football in Latvia continued to exist only at the amateur level.
On 18 August 1993, The Latvian women's national team made its debut and played its first international match in the European Championship qualification tournament, losing in the first match away to Sweden, which was already one of the most important women's football countries in the world at the time.
After the first qualifying tournament, Latvia did not participate anymore in European Championship qualifying tournaments until 2006. Changes had already been introduced in the selection system, by holding the previous preliminary tournament for the weakest European national teams before the qualification, which the Latvian national team never managed to overcome, which meant that Latvia did not have the opportunity to meet the best national women's football teams in Europe for a long time.
After participating in the UEFA Women's Euro 1995 qualifying and withdrew from all qualification until the qualification for the European Championships in 2009.
Latvia's record upon its return to international qualification games was poor. Latvia lost their first two games, against Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina by three goals, before losing by one goal to Armenia. Mini-tournaments after the qualification disaster proved no better for Latvia. Finishing last, in December 2008, Latvia lost 0–3 to Croatia and 0–5 to Turkey.

### The first victory

Latvia won its first official match on 5 March 2011 over Lithuania in the qualifying 2013 European Championship preliminary round with a lone goal by Jūlija Sokolova. However, Latvia lost the other two games against Luxembourg and Macedonia so the team didn't go through.

### First World Cup qualification

In 2013, the Latvian women's national team took part in the World Cup qualification tournament for the first time, in the first round of the preliminaries, they drew 0:0 with Luxembourg in their debut match, but then lost 0–2 to Albania and Malta. After four years, the Latvian women's national team won the first victory in the World Cup selection, defeating Estonia 4–0 in the preliminaries, but it was not enough to enter the basic qualification tournament, as the first place in the group was won by the national team of Kazakhstan, with whom Latvian football players played a draw 2–2.

## Modern times

The Latvian women's football team won its first World Cup qualification victory against Luxembourg. Latvia won its first World Cup qualification victory on 24 June 2022 over Lithuania in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D with a lone goal by Nelle Treimane.
On November 30, 2021, the Latvian national team lost to England in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group D match with 20–0. After the game, this game received a huge amount of attention, shining a light on the shortcomings of the qualifiers and European women qualifying system. Several experts emphasized that such a game should not have happened. This game again sparked discussions about going back to pre-qualification.

## Stadium

In October 2023, Latvian Football Federation president Vadims Ļašenko said that Skonto Stadium would become the main home of the men's team, with Daugava Stadium serving as a backup and the venue for the women's and youth national teams. Previously, the women's team has played in various grounds, including Arkādija Stadium and the LNK Sports Park in Riga, Sloka Stadium in Jūrmala, Zemgale Olympic Center in Jelgava and others.

## Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

### Legend

Win  Draw  Lose  Fixture

### 2025
## Coaching staff
### Current coaching staff

    As of 18 February 2025
| Role | Name |
| Head Coach | Liene Vāciete |
| Assistant coach | Jānis Segliņš |
| Goalkeeping coach | Dagnis Sausais |
| Fitness coach | Valērijs Žolnerovičs |
| Analyst coach | Jēkabs Lagūns |
| Team doctor | Līga Meija |
| Team doctor | Mārtiņš Kacens |
| Team doctor | Karmena Ketija Pozņiaka |
| Kit manager | Jevgēnijs Vasjukovs |
| Social media | Abita Tauriņa |
| Team manager | Marta Lielause |

### Manager history

* Viktors Lūkins (1992–1993)
* Vladimirs Serbins (1994–1996)
* Grigorijs Rožkovs (1996–2003)
* Agris Bandolis (2003–2010)
* Didzis Matīss (2010–2021)
* Romāns Kvačovs (2021–2024)
* Liene Vāciete (2025-)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players have been called up for the 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League C in February 2025.
Caps and goals are correct as of 26 February 2025.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1 | 1GK | Sofija Ņesterova | (2001-08-06) 6 August 2001 (age 23) | 17 | 0 | Werder Bremen |
| 23 | 1GK | Elza Renāte Strazdiņa | (2006-12-29) 29 December 2006 (age 18) | 3 | 0 | Riga FC Women |
| 12 | 1GK | Alīna Skļemenova | (2004-03-15) 15 March 2004 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | RFS Women |
| 2 | 2DF | Sofija Garanča | (2004-05-28) 28 May 2004 (age 20) | 20 | 2 | Riga FC Women |
| | 2DF | Anna Hropataja | (2005-05-12) 12 May 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | FK RFS Women |
| 10 | 2DF | Anastasija Ročāne | (1992-06-07) 7 June 1992 (age 32) | 83 | 3 | Asteras Tripolis FC |
| | 2DF | Fanija Mežecka | (2002-07-22) 22 July 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | FS Metta (women) |
| 20 | 2DF | Aleksandra Sofija Mairna | (2003-12-10) 10 December 2003 (age 21) | 7 | 0 | Michigan State University |
| | 2DF | Nikola Brahmane | (1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 (age 26) | 4 | 0 | FK Auda |
| 15 | 3MF | Anastasija Čemirtāne | (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 (age 25) | 22 | 1 | RFS Women |
| 19 | 3MF | Karlīna Miksone | (2000-03-21) 21 March 2000 (age 24) | 70 | 20 | Czarni Sosnowiec |
| 18 | 3MF | Anna Marija Valaka | (1999-11-14) 14 November 1999 (age 25) | 24 | 0 | RFS Women |
| 13 | 3MF | Sandra Voitāne | (1999-05-20) 20 May 1999 (age 25) | 67 | 15 | ÍBV |
| | 3MF | Marina Teļukeviča | (2005-09-19) 19 September 2005 (age 19) | 5 | 0 | FK RFS Women |
| 9 | 3MF | Anastasija Poļuhoviča | (2005-03-06) 6 March 2005 (age 19) | 25 | 6 | AC Sparta Prague |
| 7 | 2DF | Paula Liniņa | (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 23) | 29 | 0 | FS Metta Women |
| 8 | 3MF | Viktorija Zaičikova | (2000-08-04) 4 August 2000 (age 24) | 62 | 4 | ÍBV |
| | 3MF | Anna Kristīne Gornela | (1997-09-09) 9 September 1997 (age 27) | 26 | 0 | Riga FC Women |
| | 3MF | Gabriela Annija Andersone | (2008-10-31) 31 October 2008 (age 16) | 1 | 0 | US Sassuolo Calcio U19 |
| 19 | 4FW | Santa Sanija Vuškāne | (2005-11-22) 22 November 2005 (age 19) | 6 | 0 | GKS Katowice |
| | 4FW | Katrīna Daņilova | (2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 (age 20) | 10 | 0 | Aris Limassol FC |
| 17 | 4FW | Signija Šenberga | (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 (age 21) | 11 | 0 | FS Metta Women |
| 14 | 4FW | Olga Ševcova | (1992-11-26) 26 November 1992 (age 32) | 61 | 14 | ÍBV |

### Recent call ups

The following players have been called up to the Latvia squad in the past 18 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Enija Anna Vaivode | (1993-12-28) 28 December 1993 (age 31) | 28 | 0 | Riga FC Women | v. Moldova,9 April 2024 |
| DF | Renāte Gaugere | (2001-12-21) 21 December 2001 (age 23) | 4 | 0 | Riga FC Women | v. Lithuania,24 March 2024 |
| DF | Sofija Gergeležiu | (2003-08-31) 31 August 2003 (age 21) | 17 | 0 | RFS Women | |
| DF | Ligita Tumāne | (1996-05-01) 1 May 1996 (age 28) | 28 | 0 | ASD Spezia | v. Slovakia,27 February 2024 |
| DF | Kristīne Evelīna Lodziņa | (1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 (age 26) | 4 | 0 | FS Metta (women) | v. Slovakia,27 February 2024 |
| DF | Anna Flakse | (1999-01-31) 31 January 1999 (age 26) | 35 | 0 | Liepājas Futbola skola | v. Moldova, 17 July 2024 |
| DF | Anastasija Vainere | (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 (age 20) | 7 | 0 | REA | v. Moldova, 17 July 2024 |
| DF | Selga Penelope Vitmore | (2002-03-10) 10 March 2002 (age 22) | 10 | 0 | RFS Women | v. Moldova, 17 July 2024 |
| MF | Amēlija Lipšāne | (2005-03-31) 31 March 2005 (age 19) | 8 | 0 | FS Metta (women) | |
| MF | Nelle Treimane | (2003-11-12) 12 November 2003 (age 21) | 13 | 1 | FS Metta (women) | v. Andorra, 1 December 2023 |
| MF | Taisija Smirnova | (2003-09-24) 24 September 2003 (age 21) | 5 | 0 | Liepājas Futbola skola | v. Moldova, 17 July 2024 |
| FW | Diāna Suvitra | (2002-01-09) 9 January 2002 (age 23) | 18 | 3 | Riga FC Women | |

## Records

    *Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 18 February 2025.

### Most Capped Players

    As of 26 February 2025
| Rank | Player | Year(s) | Caps |
| 1 | Anastasija Ročāne | 2011- | 83 |
| 2 | Karlīna Miksone | 2015- | 70 |
| 3 | Sandra Voitāne | 2015- | 67 |
| 4 | Viktorija Zaičikova | 2017- | 62 |
| 5 | Olga Ševcova | 2011- | 61 |
| 6 | Renāte Fedotova | 2013-2022 | 49 |
| 7 | Elīza Spruntule | 2011-2021 | 49 |
| 8 | Kristīne Giržda | 2012-2021 | 47 |
| 9 | Marija Ibragimova | 2012-2019 | 38 |
| 10 | Anna Flakse | 2017- | 35 |

### Top goalscorers

    As of 26 February 2025
| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Average | Career |
| 1 | Karlīna Miksone | 20 | 70 | 0.29 | 2015–present |
| 2 | Renāte Fedotova | 15 | 49 | 0.31 | 2013-2022 |
| 3 | Sandra Voitāne | 15 | 67 | 0.22 | 2015–present |
| 4 | Olga Ševcova | 14 | 61 | 0.23 | 2011–present |
| 5 | Liene Vāciete | 7 | 21 | 0.33 | 2015–2017 |
| 6 | Anastasija Poļuhoviča | 6 | 25 | 0.24 | 2022-present |
| 7 | Viktorija Zaičikova | 5 | 62 | 0.08 | 2017-present |
| 8 | Anastasija Ročāne | 3 | 83 | 0.04 | 2011-present |
| 9 | Diāna Suvitra | 3 | 18 | 0.17 | 2023-present |
| 10 | Sofija Garanča | 2 | 20 | 0.10 | 2023-present |

## Competitive record
### FIFA Women's World Cup

| FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | FIFA Women's World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 1991 | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist |
| 1995 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | UEFA Euro 1995 | UEFA Euro 1995 | UEFA Euro 1995 | UEFA Euro 1995 | UEFA Euro 1995 | UEFA Euro 1995 | UEFA Euro 1995 |
| 1999 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2003 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2007 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2011 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2015 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | –4 |
| 2019 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 |
| 2023 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 8 | 63 | –55 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 16 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 70 | 0 |
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

### UEFA Women's Championship

| UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | UEFA Women's Championship record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record | Qualifying record |
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | P/R | Rnk |
| 1984 to 1993 | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist | Did not exist |
| 1995 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 18 | – | – |
| 1997 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2001 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2005 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 2009 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | – | – |
| 2013 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | – | – |
| 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | – | – |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 39 | – | – |
| 2025 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 16 | | 42nd |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 27 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 18 | 89 | 42nd | 42nd |
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

### UEFA Women's Nations League

UEFA Women's Nations League record :
| Year | League | Group | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | Rnk |
| 2023–24 | C | 1 | 2nd | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 15 | * | 38th |
| 2025 | C | 6 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 38th | 38th |
| | Promoted at end of season |
| | No movement at end of season |
| | Relegated at end of season |
| * | Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs |

### Women's Baltic Cup

Baltic Cup record :
| Year | Result |
| 1996 | Runners-up |
| 1997 | Champions |
| 1998 | Third place |
| 2003 | Third place |
| 2004 | Third place |
| 2005 | Third place |
| 2006 | Third place |
| 2007 | Third place |
| 2008 | Third place |
| 2009 | Third place |
| 2010 | Third place |
| 2011 | Champions |
| 2012 | Third place |
| 2013 | Third place |
| 2014 | Third place |
| 2015 | Third place |
| 2016 | Runners-up |
| 2017 | Champions |
| 2018 | Champions |
| 2019 | Champions |
| 2021 | Fourth place |
| 2022 | Fourth place |
| Total | 21/21 |