Estonia will become the last of the three Baltic nations to begin their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign when Jürgen Henn’s side face Iceland in Reykjavik on Saturday evening. Kick-off at Laugardalsvöllur is scheduled for 19:00 Baltic time.
Estonia arrive in Iceland in encouraging form, having suffered only one defeat in five matches this year. That loss came against Rwanda in the FIFA Series at the end of March, with Henn’s side winning their other four matches. They will now look to carry that progress into the Nations League, where Iceland, Bulgaria and Luxembourg await them in League C.
Henn will, however, have to deal with a lengthy list of absentees. Rauno Sappinen, who recently completed a move to Cyprus, as well as Vlasij Sinjavskij, Kristo Hussar, Marten-Chris Paalberg, Tony Varjund and Nikita Mihhailov are unavailable through injury. Midfielder Rocco Robert Shein, one of Estonia’s key players, and Hertha Berlin midfielder Soufian Gouram both asked not to be called up for the current international window.
Estonia were forced into another change after the camp had already begun. Paide Linnameeskond forward Henri Anier suffered a thigh injury which has brought his club season to a premature end, with Joonas Tamm called up to replace him.
There is better news elsewhere, with captain Karol Mets returning to the national team after almost a year away, while Bundesliga goalkeeper Karl Jakob Hein is also available. Henn has additionally included two players who could make their senior international debuts during this window – Levadia midfielder Maksimilian Skvortsov and Flora winger Sander Alamaa.
Speaking before Saturday’s opener, Henn described the new Nations League campaign as an opportunity to see whether Estonia’s recent development can now translate into competitive results.
“We feel that we have taken steps forward, but now we need to see those steps reflected on the pitch,” Henn said. “All six games are important. For me, it is important to look forward and towards teams above us.”
The Estonia coach expects a physical and intense contest in Reykjavik and believes managing Iceland’s pressing will be one of the keys to the match.
“We need to recognise the moments when Iceland press – when to be direct and when to be patient,” Henn explained. “They are physical, intense and strong in duels. They don’t let up for 90 minutes. Hopefully, we will also be able to identify and exploit their weaknesses.”
Estonia and Iceland have met seven times previously, with Estonia’s only victory coming way back in 2002 when they won 2-0. However, each of the last three meetings between the nations has ended in a draw, most recently in a friendly in 2023.
Following Saturday’s match, Estonia will continue their trip away from home and travel directly to Bulgaria, where they face the Bulgarian national team on Tuesday in their second Nations League fixture.
