Latvia begin Women’s World Cup qualifying with Slovakia test in Poprad

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3 March 2026 12:21
2 mins read
Image credit to LFF

Latvia’s women national team begin their 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday with an away match against Slovakia in Poprad, as both nations also start the Nations League League B format.

Coach Liene Vāciete’s side earned promotion from League C in last year’s Nations League after finishing top of their group with eight points from four matches, ending ahead of Kosovo and North Macedonia. Slovakia also went up, taking maximum points in a group that included the Faroe Islands, Moldova and Gibraltar.

For Latvia, the match also brings a familiar opponent. In February 2024 they lost twice to Slovakia in promotion play-offs, going down 3-0 at LNK Sporta parks and 6-0 in Trnava.

Neither side has previously qualified for a major women’s tournament. Slovakia are 51st in the FIFA women’s rankings, with Latvia 107th.

Latvia have been forced into changes for this window, with health issues ruling out Karlīna Miksone, named Latvia’s women’s footballer of the year in each of the past two years.

The squad features players from Latvian clubs alongside representatives based in Sweden, Poland, the United States, England, Iceland and Italy. Goalkeeper Madara Matrevica and defender Renāte Gaugere are the two players in the group yet to win a senior international cap.

Latvia’s upcoming fixtures in the group include away matches against Finland on 7 March and home meetings with Portugal and Finland in April, before returning fixtures in June against Portugal and Slovakia.

Latvia Women’s National Team Squad

2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers vs Slovakia and Finland

Goalkeepers

  • Elza Renāte Strazdiņa – Piteå IF (Sweden) – 29.12.2006
  • Sofja Ņesterova – Górnik Łęczna (Poland) – 06.08.2001
  • Madara Matrevica – Florida Gulf Coast University (USA) – 14.03.2006

Defenders

  • Monika Estere Štube – Bradford City FC (England) – 15.09.1999
  • Anna Hropataja – RFS Women – 12.05.2005
  • Sandra Voitāne – IBV Vestmannaeyja (Iceland) – 16.09.1999
  • Evelīna Dace Johansone Arseno – Without Club – 15.10.2003
  • Uma Upīte – FS Metta – 19.11.2007
  • Renāte Gaugere – Riga FC Women – 21.12.2001

Midfielders

  • Gabriela Annija Andersone – U.S. Sassuolo Calcio U19 (Italy) – 31.10.2008
  • Olga Ševcova – IBV Vestmannaeyja (Iceland) – 29.11.1992
  • Viktorija Zaičikova – IBV Vestmannaeyja (Iceland) – 04.08.2000
  • Nikola Preijere – Riga FC Women – 12.04.2007
  • Diāna Suvitra – Catania (Italy) – 09.01.2002
  • Marina Teļukeviča – Riga FC Women – 19.09.2005
  • Katrīna Daņilova – SPD Tharros (Italy) – 10.05.2004
  • Anastasija Čemirtāne – RFS Women – 17.10.1999
  • Anna Marija Valaka – RFS Women – 14.11.1999
  • Amēlija Lipšāne – FS Metta – 31.03.2005

Forwards

  • Santa Sanija Vuškāne – GKS Katowice (Poland) – 22.11.2005
  • Signija Šenberga – Riga FC Women – 13.03.2003
  • Anastasija Poļuhoviča – Pogoń Szczecin (Poland) – 06.03.2005
  • Alīna Ansone – RFS Women – 02.02.2006

Source: https://lff.lv/zinas/18795/sieviesu-izlase-gatavosies-b-ligas-debijas-spelem/

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