Latvia’s national futsal team is set for a major challenge as they will host reigning European champions Portugal in two international friendly matches on October 19 and 21 in Rīga. These high-profile encounters come just three months before the opening of the UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 final tournament, which kicks off in Rīga.
The matches will be held at the brand-new Team Sports Hall in Rīga, marking the Latvian team’s debut at this venue.
Head coach Massimiliano Bellarte has named a squad featuring players from four domestic clubs, as well as representatives from teams in Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Portugal. Compared to the recent tour in Indonesia, the squad sees a few changes: injured players Ņikita Jelagovs, Daniils Fogels, and Emīls Atmaņukovs are absent, while newcomers Renards Ūdris, Artemijs Piļipčuks, and debutant Robins Kokarītis have been called up.
Portugal’s futsal team comes to Rīga as one of the sport’s global powerhouses. They are the reigning European champions, having claimed the title in the last two editions, and also secured the FIFA Futsal World Cup title in 2021. In the current world rankings, Portugal sits second, just behind Brazil. Latvia, meanwhile, is ranked 60th.
Latvia enters the matchups in good form, having recently won a friendly tournament in Indonesia with victories over the hosts, the Netherlands, and Tanzania. Earlier this year, they also tested their strength in friendlies against Hungary and Lithuania.
The UEFA Futsal Euro 2026 will be a historic event, as it marks the first time the tournament will be co-hosted by three countries: Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia. The opening match is scheduled for January 21 in Rīga at the brand-new Xiaomi Arena. The group stage draw will take place on October 24 in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Latvia National Futsal Team Squad
October Friendlies vs Portugal
- Rainers Mūrnieks – Goalkeeper – Riga Futsal Club
- Artjoms Križanovskis – Goalkeeper – FC Nikers
- Igors Labuts – Goalkeeper – Riga Futsal Club
- Edgars Tarakanovs – Universal – RSC Anderlecht Futsal (Belgium)
- Artjoms Troickis – Universal – Jagiellonia Białystok Futsal (Poland)
- Andrejs Baklanovs – Universal – CDM Futsal Genova (Italy)
- Miks Babris – Universal – Futsal Senior FC Famalicão (Portugal)
- Andžejs Mickēvičs – Universal – Riga Futsal Club
- Viktors Kuļepovs – Universal – Riga Futsal Club
- Renards Ūdris – Universal – Riga Futsal Club
- Sergejs Motiļs – Universal – TFK Beitar
- Maksims Potlovs – Universal – Daugavpils Futbola skola
- Artemijs Piļipčuks – Universal – Riga Futsal Club
- Germans Matjušenko – Universal – TFK Beitar
- Robins Kokarītis – Universal – FC Nikers
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18547/telpu-futbola-izlase-divas-parbaudes-speles-uznems-eiropas-cempionus/
