Luxembourg_national_football_team

Luxembourg national football team

Luxembourg national football team

Men's association football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Luxembourg women's national football team.

The Luxembourg national football team (nicknamed the Red Lions; Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuergesch Foussballnationalekipp, French: Équipe du Luxembourg de football, German: Luxemburgische Fußballnationalmannschaft) is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team plays most of its home matches at the Stade de Luxembourg in Luxembourg City.

Quick Facts Nickname(s), Association ...

Luxembourg has participated in every FIFA World Cup qualifiers since those for the 1934 World Cup and in UEFA European Championship qualifiers since those for Euro 1964. As of 2024, they have never qualified for any of these major tournaments. Luxembourg is the nation with the most qualifying campaigns in both of these competitions without ever making it to the finals. However, they did compete in six Olympic football events between 1920 and 1952.[2]

History

The Luxembourg national football team in 1920 (above), and in 2015

Luxembourg played their first ever international match on 29 October 1911, in a friendly match against France; it resulted in a 1–4 defeat.[2] Their first victory came on 8 February 1914, also in a match against France, which they won 5–4.[2]

The national side of Luxembourg competed in six Olympic football events between 1920 and 1952, and survived the preliminary round twice (in 1948 and 1952).[2] In between, Luxembourg started participating at qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, but as of 2022 they have never qualified.

Starting in 1921, the Luxembourg national A-selection would play 239 unofficial international matches until 1981, mostly against other countries' B-teams like those of Belgium, France, Switzerland and West Germany, as well as a team representing South-Netherlands.[3]

The Luxembourg team in 1969, before a World Cup qualifier

After their last Olympic tournament in 1952, the national team also started playing in qualifying groups for UEFA European Championships, but could not reach the major European tournament end stages. The only time that the team was close to qualify was for a European or World Championship was for the Euro 1964. In the first qualification round they defeated the Netherlands with a score of 3–2 on aggregate after two matches. A Dutch newspaper commented this stunt after the second match with "David Luxembourg won with 2–1 [against Goliath Netherlands]".[4] In the round of eight, Luxembourg and Denmark fought for a spot in the final tournament. The winner was decided after three matches; Denmark was the winner with a total aggregate score of 6–5.

When the national team does win a competitive match, they are often celebrated by national media and fans, as was the case after a 2–1 win against Switzerland in 2008.[5][6]

On 3 September 2017, Luxembourg held France to a 0–0 draw at Stadium Municipal in Toulouse, France.[7] It was the first time France had failed to win against Luxembourg since 1914, when Luxembourg won, 5–4.[8][9] On 10 November 2017, Luxembourg pulled off an upset by defeating Hungary 2–1 in a friendly.[10]

On 28 March 2021, Luxembourg beat the Republic of Ireland in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match with a goal from Gerson Rodrigues in the 85th minute.[11][12] In 2023, Luxembourg achieved some of their best results in European Championship qualifying, finishing third in their group (of six teams) and qualifying for a play-off for a finals berth[13][14][15][16][17][18], but they lost 2–0 to Georgia.[19] Rodrigues also became the top goal scorer in the history of the national team, surpassing the 16-goal tally by Léon Mart, by scoring 5 goals during the qualifying process, also a record for a Luxembourgish player.[20][21]

Kit

Traditionally, the badge on Luxembourg's team outfit displays a shield very similar to Luxembourg's lesser coat of arms, a red lion on a white-blue striped background – hence the team's nickname Red Lions. In modern times, the team played home games in entirely red strips, in accordance with their nickname, and wore white as away colour.

More information Kit provider, Period ...

Home stadium

As of 1 September 2021, the Luxembourg national team adopted Luxembourg City's, Stade de Luxembourg the country's national stadium, as its home venue. Formerly, the team played at the Stade Josy Barthel, where, at counting in August 2015, it had played 235 games, including unofficial matches.[22] It is also used for rugby union and athletics.

Results and fixtures

Main article: Luxembourg national football team results

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

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

9 June 2023 Friendly Luxembourg  0–1  Malta Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:15 UTC+2 Report
  • Nwoko 64'
 Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 4,028
Referee: Eldorjan Hamiti (Albania)
17 June 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Luxembourg  2–0  Liechtenstein Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 6,806
Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi (Ukraine)
20 June 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Bosnia and Herzegovina  0–2  Luxembourg Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
20:45 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Bilino Polje
Attendance: 8,600
Referee: Gal Leibovitz (Israel)
8 September 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Luxembourg  3–1  Iceland Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 7,427
Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili (Georgia)
11 September 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Portugal  9–0  Luxembourg Faro/Loulé, Portugal
19:45 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estádio Algarve
Attendance: 18,932
Referee: John Brooks (England)
13 October 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Iceland  1–1  Luxembourg Reykjavík, Iceland
18:45 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Laugardalsvöllur
Attendance: 4,568
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
16 October 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Luxembourg  0–1  Slovakia Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 9,386
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez (Spain)
16 November 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Luxembourg  4–1  Bosnia and Herzegovina Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 8,520
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)
19 November 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Liechtenstein  0–1  Luxembourg Vaduz, Liechtenstein
20:45 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Rheinpark Stadion
Attendance: 2,241
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France)

2024

21 March 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Georgia  2–0  Luxembourg Tbilisi, Georgia
18:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena
Attendance: 51,404
Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez (Spain)
26 March 2024 Friendly Luxembourg  2–1  Kazakhstan Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 8,720
Referee: Christian Dingert (Germany)
5 June 2024 Friendly France  v  Luxembourg Metz, France
21:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Stade Saint-Symphorien
8 June 2024 Friendly Belgium  v  Luxembourg Brussels, Belgium
20:00 UTC+1 Stadium: King Baudouin Stadium
5 September UEFA Nations League C Northern Ireland  v  Luxembourg Belfast, Northern Ireland
19:45 Stadium: Windsor Park
8 September UEFA Nations League C Luxembourg  v  Belarus Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
15:00 Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
12 October UEFA Nations League C Bulgaria  v  Luxembourg Bulgaria
19:00 Stadium: TBA
15 October UEFA Nations League C Belarus  v  Luxembourg TBD[24]
Stadium: TBD
15 November UEFA Nations League C Luxembourg  v  Bulgaria Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
18 November UEFA Nations League C Luxembourg  v  Northern Ireland Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg

Current staff

Luc Holtz, the current Luxembourg manager

The crew that guides the Luxembourg national team includes following members:[25]

More information Position, Name ...

Coaching history

The following managers have been in charge of Luxembourg's national squad:[26]

Players

Main article: List of Luxembourg international footballers

Current squad

The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs match against Georgia on 21 March 2024 and the play-offs or friendly match on 26 March 2024.[27]

Caps and goals as of 26 March 2024 after the match against Kazakhstan.[28][29]

More information No., Pos. ...

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Luxembourg squad during last 12 months and are still eligible for selection.

More information Pos., Player ...

RET Player retired from the national team.

Player records

As of 26 March 2024.[30]
Players in bold are still active with Luxembourg.

Most capped players

More information Rank, Player ...

Top goalscorers

More information Rank, Player ...

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...

UEFA European Championship

More information UEFA European Championship record, Qualifying record ...

UEFA Nations League

More information UEFA Nations League record, Season ...

Olympic Games

Hectic phase during the goal-rich Olympic defeat against Belgium in 1928 (5–3)
More information Olympic Games record, Year ...

All-time record

As of 26 March 2024 after the match against Kazakhstan, the Luxembourg national team playing record is as follows:[2]

More information Opponents, Played ...

Footnotes

  1. Mario Mutsch also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014 however Belgium used 7 substitutions rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations
  2. Laurent Jans also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014 however Belgium used 7 substitutions rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations
  3. Daniel da Mota also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014 however Belgium used 7 substitutions rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations
  4. Lars Gerson also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014 however Belgium used 7 substitutions rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations
  5. René Peters also played and scored against Faroe Islands in 2004 however this was not recognised as a full A-international by FIFA
  6. Eric Hoffmann also played and scored against Faroe Islands in 2004 however this was not recognised as a full A-international by FIFA
  7. Carlo Weis also played in three matches against France Amateur, West Germany B and France B however these are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA
  8. Aurélien Joachim also played and scored in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014 however Belgium used 7 substitutions rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations
  9. Gustave Kemp also played a match at the 1936 Summer Olympics however this is not recognised as a full A-international by FIFA
  10. Nicolas Kettel also played and scored at the 1948 Summer Olympics however these matches are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA
  11. François Müller also played at the 1952 Summer Olympics however these matches are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA

    See also

    References

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      "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
    2. [2]
      Barrie Courney (4 Dec 2014). "Luxembourg – List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
    3. [3]
      Barrie Courtney (8 Mar 2005). "Luxembourg – List of Unofficial International matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
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      "Schwartz' droombeeld werd nachtmerrie voor publiek". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 31 Oct 1963. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 Aug 2015.
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      "RTL Lëtzebuerg". De Journal. 7 September 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
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      "Luxembourg stuns Switzerland 2-1 in qualifying". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
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      "World Cup qualifying recap as France are held by Luxembourg and Belgium qualify for Russia 2018". Mirror. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
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      "Luxembourg vs. France 5–4, date 08/02/1914". Archived from the original on 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
    9. [9]
      "France coach Didier Deschamps was left "infuriated" by his side's failures in front of goal in their goalless draw with Luxembourg, a result labelled "historic" by his opposite number". BBC Sport. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
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      "Nikolic scores as Hungary falls 2-1 to Luxembourg in international friendly | Chicago Fire FC". Archived from the original on 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
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      Cooney, Gavin (27 March 2021). "Awful Ireland embarrassed in defeat at home to Luxembourg". The 42. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
    12. [12]
      "Republic defeat 'embarrassing' - Coleman". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 2021-03-30. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
    13. [13]
      Horváth, Bence (October 19, 2023). "Football in Luxembourg: Euro 2024: Playoffs provide lifeline for the Red Lions". today.rtl.lu. Archived from the original on 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
    14. [14]
      Mackey, Ed. "Euro 2024 play-offs: All you need to know". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
    15. [15]
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      Bence Horváth, Bence (November 22, 2023). "International football: Luxembourg to play Georgia at Euro 2024 playoff round". today.rtl.lu. Archived from the original on 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
    17. [17]
      UEFA.com (2023-12-01). "Luxembourg football scales new heights | Inside UEFA". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
    18. [18]
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    20. [20]
      Inshakov, Maksym (October 14, 2023). "Dynamo footballer scores a goal in 56 seconds, setting a record. Video". Obozrevatel. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
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      Dunbar, Graham (2024-03-20). "Luxembourg looks to be soccer's next Cinderella story going into Euro 2024 playoffs". AP News. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
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      "Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 3 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
    24. [24]
      Due to the Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarus are required to play their home matches at neutral venues and behind closed doors until further notice.[23]
    25. [25]
      "Staff". www.flf.lu. Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Football. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
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      "LE CADRE DES ROUT LÉIWEN POUR LES MATCHS DE BARRAGE POUR L'EURO 2024". flf.lu. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
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      Mamrud, Roberto. "Luxembourg - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
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