Lithuania’s journey towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin, as national team head coach Edgaras Jankauskas revealed the squad for the opening two matches of the qualifiers. The Baltic nation faces a tough challenge in their campaign but will be eager to start strong and fight for a place in the tournament.
Lithuania will kick off their qualifying campaign with a difficult away match against Poland on March 21st, where they will face Robert Lewandowski and his teammates. Three days later, Jankauskas’ men will return home to take on Finland, hoping to secure three crucial points in front of their supporters. Lithuania’s qualifying group also includes Malta and the loser of the Netherlands vs. Spain clash in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, adding further competition to their path.
The announced squad features a mix of experience and fresh faces, including three players who have not been part of the national team for an extended period. Among them is Marius Adamonis, the Serie B goalkeeper playing for FC Sudtirol, who makes his long-awaited return to the squad. Additionally, young midfielder Matijus Remeikis, previously part of Lithuania’s U-21 setup, earns his place in the senior team. Another notable returnee is Manfredas Ruzgis, the current top scorer of the Albanian second division, who will look to inject energy and attacking threat into Lithuania’s frontline.
With a challenging yet hopeful road ahead, Lithuania will rely on a blend of experience and emerging talent to navigate through the qualifiers. As the team prepares for these crucial fixtures, fans will be eager to see how Jankauskas’ squad performs against their formidable opponents.
Full national team squad for the matches against Poland and Finland:
Goalkeepers:
Edvinas Gertmonas (FC Universitatea Cluj, Romania),
Marius Adamonis (FC Sudtirol, Italy),
Mantas Bertašius (FK Banga).
Defenders:
Edvinas Girdvainis (SV Sandhausen, Germany),
Kipras Kažukolovas (FC Astana, Kazakhstan),
Klaudijus Upstas (FC Hegelmann),
Pijus Širvys (NK Maribor, Slovenia),
Artemijus Tutyškinas (NK Celje, Slovenia),
Dominykas Barauskas (Gornik Leczna, Poland),
Justas Lasickas (NK Olimpija Ljubljana, Slovenia),
Edgaras Utkus (Cercle Brugge, Belgium).
Midfielders:
Giedrius Matulevičius (FK Žalgiris Vilnius),
Matas Vareika (FC Pyunik, Armenia),
Domantas Antanavičius (FC Hegelmann),
Titas Milašius (MKP Pogon Siedlce, Poland),
Artūr Dolžnikov (SK Sigma Olomouc, Czech Republic),
Fedor Černych (FK Kauno Žalgiris),
Paulius Golubickas (Radomiak Radom, Poland),
Gvidas Gineitis (Torino FC, Italy),
Matijus Remeikis (Botev Plovdiv, Bulgaria).
Forwards:
Gytis Paulauskas (FC Dinamo Batumi, Georgia),
Armandas Kučys (NK Celje, Slovenia),
Manfredas Ruzgis (KF Vora, Albania).