This October, the Estonian men’s national football team will face two crucial matches at home in their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. On October 11, Estonia will host Italy at A. Le Coq Arena, followed by a clash with Moldova at the same venue on October 14. Head coach Jürgen Henn has officially announced the national squad for these upcoming fixtures.
After nearly a year-long absence, team captain Karol Mets makes his return to the squad. The central defender suffered a knee injury in Estonia’s clash with Slovakia on November 19 last year, and his recovery was marred by setbacks. However, he’s now fully fit and was included in Bundesliga side St. Pauli’s matchday squad this past weekend – his first appearance in the squad post-injury, although he didn’t see playing time.
One of the most exciting inclusions is 16-year-old striker Marten-Chris Paalberg, who has taken Estonia’s top division by storm. Representing Pärnu Vaprus, Paalberg has netted 13 goals in 22 Premium Liiga appearances, making him one of the league’s most lethal finishers despite his young age.
Another promising attacker, Karel Mustmaa, currently playing for the reserve team of Greek giants PAOK Thessaloniki, is also part of the squad. Mustmaa made an impact just last weekend in Greece’s second division, scoring his first goal of the season and winning a penalty.
Goalkeeper Matvei Igonen is also named in the squad, despite picking up a mild concussion in stoppage time of a recent Swedish top-flight match. Igonen was substituted as a precaution, and the Estonian FA confirms he is under observation but expected to be available.
These developments set the stage for an intriguing international window. Estonia will take on Italy at a sold-out A. Le Coq Arena on October 11, with festivities beginning at 19:00 and kickoff set for 21:45. Three days later, Estonia faces Moldova.
Estonia National Team Squad for the October Matches:
Goalkeepers
- Karl Jakob Hein (13.04.2002) – SV Werder Bremen (GER) – 41/0
- Matvei Igonen (02.10.1996) – Degerfors IF (SWE) – 17/0
- Karl Andre Vallner (28.02.1998) – Tallinna FCI Levadia – 4/0
Defenders
- Karol Mets (16.05.1993) – FC St. Pauli (GER) – 100/0
- Joonas Tamm (02.02.1992) – Sepsi OSK (ROU) – 67/4
- Vlasiy Sinjavski (27.11.1996) – Bohemians 1905 (CZE) – 44/1
- Maksim Paskotši (19.01.2003) – KAA Gent (BEL) – 38/1
- Märten Kuusk (05.04.1996) – GKS Katowice (POL) – 39/0
- Rasmus Peetson (03.05.1995) – Tallinna FCI Levadia – 22/2
- Michael Schjönning-Larsen (02.02.2001) – Tallinna FCI Levadia – 14/0
- Joseph Saliste (10.04.1995) – Paide Linnameeskond – 9/0
Midfielders
- Mattias Käit (29.06.1998) – FC Thun (SUI) – 62/10
- Martin Miller (25.09.1997) – Paide Linnameeskond – 39/2
- Markus Poom (27.02.1999) – Tallinna FC Flora – 31/0
- Rocco Robert Shein (14.07.2003) – Fredrikstad FK (NOR) – 20/1
- Markus Soomets (02.03.2000) – IK Start (NOR) – 18/0
- Kevor Palumets (21.11.2002) – Podbrezova Železiarne (SVK) – 14/1
- Martin Vetkal (21.02.2004) – FC Dordrecht (NED) – 13/1
- Patrik Kristal (12.11.2007) – FC Köln (GER) – 7/0
Forwards
- Rauno Sappinen (23.01.1996) – Tallinna FC Flora – 59/13
- Alex Mattihas Tamm (24.07.2001) – Ljubljana Olimpija (SVN) – 16/2
- Robi Saarma (20.05.2001) – FK Pardubice (CZE) – 10/0
- Ioan Yakovlev (19.01.1998) – Panionios (GRE) – 10/1
- Daniil Kuraksin (04.04.2003) – Tallinna FC Flora – 4/1
- Karel Mustmaa (08.08.2005) – Thessaloniki PAOK (GRE) – 0/0
- Marten-Chris Paalberg (08.10.2008) – Pärnu JK Vaprus – 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 |
