As summer heats up, so does the action for the Latvian national football team. Head coach Paolo Nicolato has officially named his 25-man squad for the crucial June training camp and upcoming matches — including a key FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier.
Latvia will take to the pitch at Skonto Stadium for two home fixtures: a friendly showdown against Azerbaijan on June 7, led by veteran tactician Fernando Santos, followed by a high-stakes World Cup qualifier against Albania on June 10. Preparation begins in earnest on June 1, when the national team gathers in Rīga to kick off training.
Coach Nicolato has made it clear from the beginning of his tenure: no name is untouchable, and new talent will always have a chance. True to his word, the June squad features four debut call-ups — all of whom have impressed with the U-21 side over the past year.
The newcomers include Kristaps Grabovskis (FK Metta), Bruno Melnis (FK Liepāja), Gļebs Žaleiko (FC RFS), and Kristers Penkevics (FS Jelgava). Each has shown leadership and potential at youth level, earning a well-deserved promotion to the senior ranks.
“As I said in my first press conference in Latvia, I want a revolving-door policy,” said Nicolato. “The door to the national team is open to those who haven’t been here yet, and no spot is guaranteed for anyone. These young players have caught our eye for their performances with the U-21s, and now it’s time to see them in a senior team environment. I’ve spoken with them — they’re proud and ready to wear the Latvian jersey.”
This call-up also sees the return of goalkeeper Frenks Orols (Super Nova), forward Marko Regža (Riga FC), and two players who missed out in March due to injury — Kristers Tobers (Aberdeen) and midfielder Renārs Varslavāns (Auda).
On the other hand, several familiar names are absent. Robert Ozols, Vjačeslavs Isajevs, Niks Sliede, and Oskars Vientiess have all been left out, while injuries have ruled out Dario Šits, Raimonds Krollis, and Emīls Birka. While forward Roberts Uldriķis continues his recovery from a serious injury.
The squad features 17 players from the Latvian Virslīga, along with others playing their club football across Europe — in Switzerland, Scotland, Poland, Romania, Norway — and even as far afield as Cambodia.
Latvia Squad for June World Cup Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
- Rihards Matrevics (FK Auda, Latvia) – 12 caps
- Krišjānis Zviedris (Riga FC, Latvia) – 2 caps
- Frenks Dāvids Orols (SK Super Nova, Latvia) – debutant
Defenders:
- Roberts Savaļnieks (FC RFS, Latvia) – 67 caps, 2 goals
- Andrejs Cigaņiks (FC Luzern, Switzerland) – 61 caps, 4 goals
- Raivis Jurkovskis (Riga FC, Latvia) – 51 caps
- Antonijs Černomordijs (Riga FC) – 40 caps, 1 goal
- Kristers Tobers (Aberdeen FC, Scotland) – 37 caps, 1 goal
- Vitālijs Jagodinskis (Visakha FC, Cambodia) – 36 caps
- Daniels Balodis (St. Johnstone, Scotland) – 17 caps, 1 goal
- Deniss Meļņiks (FK Auda, Latvia) – 5 caps
- Maksims Toņiševs (Riga FC, Latvia) – 3 caps
Midfielders:
- Alvis Jaunzems (FKS Stal Mielec, Poland) – 43 caps
- Aleksejs Saveļjevs (FC Gloria Buzau, Romania) – 27 caps, 1 goal
- Eduards Dašķevičs (Riga FC, Latvia) – 17 caps
- Renārs Varslavāns (FK Auda, Latvia) – 14 caps, 1 goal
- Dmitrijs Zelenkovs (FC RFS, Latvia) – 14 caps
- Lūkass Vapne (Sogndal IL, Norway) – 8 caps
- Gļebs Žaleiko (FC RFS, Latvia) – debut
- Kristaps Grabovskis (FK Metta, Latvia) – debut
- Kristers Penkevics (FS Jelgava, Latvia) – debut
Forwards:
- Jānis Ikaunieks (FC RFS, Latvia) – 65 caps, 12 goals
- Vladislavs Gutkovskis (Daejeon Hana Citizen, South Korea) – 52 caps, 11 goals
- Marko Regža (Riga FC, Latvia) – 10 caps
- Bruno Melnis (FK Liepāja, Latvia) – debut
Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18302/latvijas-izlase-junija-nometne-cetri-debitanti/
