The qualification journey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off in March, with Lithuania competing in Group G. They will face four opponents: the Netherlands or Spain, Poland, Finland, and Malta. Lithuanian media have described this group as one of the least challenging in recent years. Some of them are highly optimistic, even considering a third-place finish, or perhaps even a surprising second place for the national team.
The most exciting matchup is likely to be against the loser of the Nations League quarter-final between Spain and the Netherlands. Most of the Lithuanian football community would love to see their team face the Netherlands, as it would be the first time Lithuania plays against the 1988 European champions.
The campaign will begin on March 21 with an away game against Poland, followed by a home match against Finland a few days later. In June, Lithuania will have just one away game, facing Malta on June 7. They will then play against the group’s underdogs again in September before taking on the toughest opponent at home on September 7 in Kaunas. The national team will wrap up their qualification journey with an away match against the same opponent on November 17.
Full Group G schedule:
- March 21, 2025 (Friday), 9:45 PM: Poland vs Lithuania
- March 24, 2025 (Monday), 9:45 PM: Lithuania vs Finland
- June 7, 2025 (Saturday), 7:00 PM: Malta vs Lithuania
- September 4, 2025 (Thursday), 9:45 PM: Lithuania vs Malta
- September 7, 2025 (Sunday), 7:00 PM / 9:45 PM: Lithuania vs Spain/Netherlands
- October 9, 2025 (Thursday), 9:45 PM: Finland vs Lithuania
- October 12, 2025 (Sunday), 9:45 PM: Lithuania vs Poland
- November 17, 2025 (Monday), 9:45 PM: Spain/Netherlands vs Lithuania
Given that a draw or a win against the Netherlands or Spain seems pretty unlikely, the Lithuanian national team will need to secure wins in both matches against Malta and put up a strong challenge against Finland and Poland to have any hope of achieving a sensational third or even second place in the group.