Estonia’s national team head coach Jürgen Henn has today announced his squad for the September international window, which includes a FIFA World Cup qualifier away to Italy as well as a home friendly against Andorra.
Once again, Henn will be without his captain Karol Mets, who continues his recovery from a long-term injury. Joining him on the sidelines is Olimpija Ljubljana striker Alex Matthias Tamm, who will also miss this international break. On a more positive note, the squad features a fresh face: 21-year-old forward Karel Eerme of Harju JK Laagri has earned his first senior call-up after a breakout season. Eerme has scored 12 goals in 24 Premium Liiga matches, placing him among the league’s top scorers.
The action begins on September 5, when Estonia travel to Bergamo to face group favorites Italy in a tough World Cup qualifying clash. Three days later, they return home to welcome Andorra for what promises to be an emotional occasion. The match will serve as a farewell to two Estonia’s legendary National team players: Konstantin Vassiljev, now head coach of FC Flora Tallinn and the national team’s all-time appearances leader, and 37-year-old Taijo Teniste, who will celebrate his 100th cap. Teniste currently plays for second-tier side Tartu Welco, and the Andorra fixture will mark the end of a remarkable international journey.
Estonia enter the September window with a record of one win and three defeats from their opening four matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. That leaves them sitting fourth in a five-team group.
Estonia Squad for September international window
Goalkeepers:
- Karl Jakob Hein – Werder Bremen (GER) 39 Caps / 0 Goals
- Matvei Igonen – Degerfors IF (SWE) 17 Caps / 0 Goals
- Karl Andre Vallner – FCI Levadia 4 Caps / 0 Goals
Defenders:
- Taijo Teniste – Tartu JK Welco 99/1*
- Joonas Tamm – Sepsi OSK (ROU) 65/4
- Maksim Paskotši – KAA Gent (BEL) 37/1
- Märten Kuusk – GKS Katowice (POL) 37/0
- Rasmus Peetson – FCI Levadia 21/2
- Michael Schjönning-Larsen – FCI Levadia 12/0
- Joseph Saliste – Paide Linnameeskond 7/0
- Edgar Tur – Tallinna FCI Levadia – 6/1
- Tanel Tammik – Tallinna FCI Levadia 0/0
Midfielders:
- Konstantin Vassiljev – 158/26*
- Mattias Käit – FC Thun (SUI) 60/10
- Vlasi Sinjavski – Bohemians 1905 (CZE) 43/1
- Martin Miller – Paide Linnameeskond 39/2
- Mihkel Ainsalu – FCI Levadia 23/0
- Rocco Robert Shein – Fredrikstad FK (NOR) 18/1
- Markus Soomets – IK Start (NOR) 17/0
- Kevor Palumets – Podbrezova Železiarne (SVK) 12/1
- Ioan Yakovlev – Panionios (GRE) 9/1
- Patrik Kristal – FC Köln (GER) 5/0
Forwards:
- Henri Anier – Paide Linnameeskond 102/23
- Rauno Sappinen – Tallinna FC Flora 57/13
- Robi Saarma – FK Pardubice (CZE) 8/0
- Karel Eerme – Harju JK Laagri 0/0
World Cup 2026 qualifying Group I
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | PTS |
| 1 | Norway | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 2 | Italy | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| 3 | Israel | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | Estonia | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| 5 | Moldova | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
