Football in Latvia

Football is the number one sport based on participation, but the third sport in Latvia after ice hockey and basketball based on popularity.^[1] Many other sports are also more popular than football in Latvia, but in recent years it has gained more popularity.^[2][3] The Latvian Football Federation (Latvian: Latvijas Futbola federācija) is the sport's national governing body.^[4][5] There is a league system, with the Higher League and First League serving as the top leagues in Latvia. The Latvian Second League is composed mostly of amateur teams.

Football in Latvia
Country	Latvia
Governing body	Latvian Football Federation
National team(s)	Latvia national football team
National competitions
Latvian Cup
Club competitions
Latvian Higher League
International competitions
Champions League Europa League Europa Conference League Super Cup FIFA Club World Cup FIFA World Cup (National Team) European Championship (National Team) UEFA Nations League (National Team)

The Latvian Cup is the main national cup competition in the country.

History

The Latvian Football Federation was founded in 1921. In 1922 The Latvian Football Federation joined FIFA.^[6] In 1940-1991, Latvia was part of the USSR and as an independent state did not take part in the World Cup and European championships. After gaining independence in 1992, membership was restored.

Domestic Football

Skonto FC were the most popular and successful football team in Latvia and have won the Latvian Higher League 14 times since independence from Russia.^[7][8][9] FK Ventspils and FK RFS are the only teams from Latvia which have played in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League (2009–10 and 2024–25, respectively). Also FK RFS reached group stage of the UEFA Conference League (2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League).^[10] No Latvian team has ever reached the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

League system

Main article: Latvian football league system

The table below illustrates the comprehensive structure of Latvian league football.^[11]

Note: Exact numbers of clubs at every level of the league system, particularly those at lower levels, are subject to change and are current as of the 2022 season.

Level	Total clubs (80 +-)	League(s) / division(s)
1	10	Higher League 10 clubs – 1 or 2 relegations
2	14	First League 14 clubs – 1 or 2 promotions, 2 or 3 relegations
3	16	Second League East 8 clubs – 0 to 3 promotions (2 to 3 nationwide), 0 to 4 relegations (4 nationwide)																Second League West 8 clubs – 0 to 3 promotions (2 to 3 nationwide), 0 to 4 relegations (4 nationwide)
4	37	Third League Centre 10 clubs – 0 to 2 promotions (4 nationwide)[a]								Third League East 9 clubs – 0 to 2 promotions (4 nationwide)								Third League North 10 clubs – 0 to 2 promotions (4 nationwide)[a]								Third League West 8 clubs – 0 to 2 promotions (4 nationwide)

National team

Main article: Latvia national football team

The Latvia national football team in 2003 qualified to Euro 2004.^[12][13] This resulted in being the first and currently only Baltic national team to do so.

See also

National teams

• Latvia national football team
• Latvia national under-21 football team
• Latvia national under-19 football team
• Latvia national under-17 football team

Women's teams

• Latvia women's national football team

Competitions

Leagues

• Latvian Higher League
• Latvian First League
• Latvian Second League

Women's leagues

• Latvian Women's League

Cups

• Latvian Football Cup
• Latvian Supercup

Clubs

Main article: List of football clubs in Latvia

See also

• Alberts Tarulis

Notes

1. Promotion to either the Second League East or Second League West is based on geographic factors.

References

1. "A German aims to improve the state of football in Latvia". dpa International. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
2. "Daugava's recipe for title success". UEFA.com. 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
3. "Hard work bearing fruit for Latvia –". Uefa.com. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
4. "When Saturday Comes - Riga mortis". Wsc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
5. "BBC SPORT | Football | Euro 2004 | Latvia | How they qualified: Latvia". BBC News. 2004-05-21. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
6. "Latvian football survives setbacks | Inside UEFA". UEFA.com. July 9, 2018.
7. Bousfield, Jonathan (13 March 2019). Baltic States. Rough Guides. ISBN 9781858288406. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via Google Books.
8. Fuller, Stuart (17 October 2016). The Football Tourist: The Second Half. Ockley Books. ISBN 9781912022519. Retrieved 13 March 2019 – via Google Books.
9. "Skonto FC declared insolvent". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
10. "Hearts to face Fiorentina, Istanbul Basaksehir & RFS in Europa Conference League". bbc.com. BBC. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
11. "Latvijas Futbola federācija". lff.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2022-12-29.
12. uefa.com. "UEFA EURO 2004 - History - Latvia". UEFA.com. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
13. "Johnson's vision provides cause for celebration in Latvia and Yeovil". The Independent. 22 November 2003. Retrieved 13 March 2019.

External links

• League321.com - Latvian football league tables, records & statistics database (in English)