Luxembourg national football team

Luxembourg
Nickname(s)D'Rout Léiwen
Les Lions Rouges
Die Roten Löwen

(The Red Lions)
AssociationFédération Luxembourgeoise de Football (FLF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachJeff Strasser
CaptainLaurent Jans
Most capsLaurent Jans (120)
Top scorerGerson Rodrigues (23)
Home stadiumStade de Luxembourg
FIFA codeLUX
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 102 1 (19 January 2026)[1]
Highest82 (September 2018)
Lowest195 (August 2006)
First international
 Luxembourg 1–4 France 
(Luxembourg, Luxembourg; 29 October 1911)
Biggest win
 Luxembourg 6–0 Afghanistan 
(Brighton, England; 26 July 1948)
Biggest defeat
 Germany 9–0 Luxembourg 
(Berlin, Germany; 4 August 1936)
 Luxembourg 0–9 England 
(Luxembourg, Luxembourg; 19 October 1960)
 England 9–0 Luxembourg 
(London, England; 15 December 1982)
 Portugal 9–0 Luxembourg 
(Almancil, Portugal; 11 September 2023)

The Luxembourg national football team (nicknamed the Red Lions; Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuergesch Foussballnationalekipp, French: Équipe du Luxembourg de football, German: Luxemburgische Fußballnationalmannschaft) is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team plays most of its home matches at the Stade de Luxembourg in Luxembourg City.

Luxembourg has participated in every FIFA World Cup qualifiers since those for the 1934 World Cup, and in UEFA European Championship qualifiers since those for Euro 1964. As of 2026, they have never qualified for any of these major tournaments. Luxembourg is the nation with the most qualifying campaigns in both of these competitions without ever making it to the finals. However, they did compete in six Olympic football events between 1920 and 1952.[3]

History

The Luxembourg national football team in 1920 (above), and in 2015

Luxembourg played their first ever international match on 29 October 1911, in a friendly match against France; it resulted in a 1–4 defeat.[3] Their first victory came on 8 February 1914, also in a match against France, which they won 5–4.[3]

The national side of Luxembourg competed in six Olympic football events between 1920 and 1952, and survived the preliminary round twice (in 1948 and 1952).[3] In between, Luxembourg participated in qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, but has never qualified.

Starting in 1921, the Luxembourg national A-selection would play 239 unofficial international matches until 1981, mostly against other countries' B-teams like those of Belgium, France, Switzerland and West Germany, as well as a team representing South-Netherlands.[4]

After their last Olympic tournament in 1952, the national team also started playing in qualifying groups for UEFA European Championships, but could not reach the major European tournament end stages. The only time that the team was close to qualify was for a European or World Championship was for the Euro 1964. In the first qualification round, they defeated the Netherlands with a score of 3–2 on aggregate after two matches. A Dutch newspaper commented this stunt after the second match with "David Luxembourg won with 2–1 [against Goliath Netherlands]".[5] In the round of eight, Luxembourg and Denmark fought for a spot in the final tournament. The winner was decided after three matches; Denmark was the winner with a total aggregate score of 6–5.

When the national team does win a competitive match, they are often celebrated by national media and fans, as was the case after a 2–1 win against Switzerland in 2008.[6][7]

On 3 September 2017, Luxembourg faced France in a goalless draw at Stadium Municipal in Toulouse, France.[8] It was the first time France had failed to win against Luxembourg since 1914, when Luxembourg won, 5–4.[9][10] On 10 November 2017, Luxembourg defeated Hungary 2–1 in a friendly victory.[11]

On 28 March 2021, Luxembourg beat the Republic of Ireland in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match with a goal from Gerson Rodrigues in the 85th minute.[12][13] In 2023, Luxembourg achieved some of their best results in European Championship qualifying, finishing third in their group (of six teams) and qualifying for a play-off for a finals berth,[14][15][16][17][18][19] but they lost 2–0 against Georgia.[20] Rodrigues also became the top goalscorer in the history of the national team, surpassing the 16-goal tally by Léon Mart, by scoring five goals during the qualifying process, a record for a Luxembourgian footballer.[21][22]

On 22 March 2025, Luxembourg showed improvement with a convincing victory against Sweden in a friendly match.[23]

Kit

Kit provider Period
Adidas 1976–2005
Erreà 2005–2007
Jako 2008–2013
Adidas 2014–2018
Macron 2018–2022
Erreà 2022–present

Home stadium

As of 1 September 2021, the Luxembourg national team adopted Luxembourg City's Stade de Luxembourg, the country's national stadium, as its home venue. Formerly, the team played at the Stade Josy Barthel, where, at counting in August 2015, it had played 235 games, including unofficial matches.[24]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

18 November 2024 2024–25 Nations League Luxembourg  2–2  Northern Ireland Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+1
  • Korać 72'
  • Rodrigues 75'
Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 6,870
Referee: Elchin Masiyev (Azerbaijan)

2025

22 March 2025 Friendly Luxembourg  1–0  Sweden Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
18:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 9,214[25]
Referee: Luca Cibelli (Switzerland)
25 March 2025 Friendly Switzerland  3–1  Luxembourg St. Gallen, Switzerland
20:45 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Kybunpark
Attendance: 8,363
Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania)
6 June 2025 Friendly Luxembourg  0–1  Slovenia Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:15 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 7,508
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele (Malta)
10 June 2025 Friendly Luxembourg  0–0  Republic of Ireland Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 6,312
Referee: Stefan Ebner (Austria)
7 September 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Luxembourg  0–1  Slovakia Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 8,487
Referee: Nicholas Walsh (Scotland)
10 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Germany  4–0  Luxembourg Sinsheim, Germany
20:45 UTC+2
Report Stadium: PreZero Arena
Attendance: 25,249
Referee: Nenad Minaković (Serbia)
13 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Slovakia  2–0  Luxembourg Trnava, Slovakia
20:45 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Anton Malatinský Stadium
Attendance: 13,010
Referee: Rade Obrenović (Slovenia)
14 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Luxembourg  0–2  Germany Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:45 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 9,214
Referee: John Brooks (England)
17 November 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Northern Ireland  1–0  Luxembourg Belfast, Northern Ireland
19:45 UTC+0
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Attendance: 18,037
Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)

2026

Staff

As of 2025, the staff of the Luxembourg national team includes the following members:[26]

Position Name
Technical director Manuel Cardoni
Head coach Jeff Strasser
Assistant coach Mario Mutsch
Goalkeeping coach Rui Forte
Fitness coach Claude Origer
Doctors Patrick Dang
Lara Heinz
Physiotherapists Alexander Kähler
Erwan Deshoux
Gilles Hoffmann
Video analyst Clément Gonin
Equipment manager Léon Huss
Jos Koecher
Romain Sailer

Coaching history

The following managers have been in charge of Luxembourg's national squad:[27]

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation play-offs matches against Malta on 26 and 31 March 2026.[28]

Caps and goals as of 17 November 2025 after the match against Northern Ireland.[29]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Anthony Moris (1990-04-29) 29 April 1990 79 0 Al-Khaleej
12 1GK Tiago Pereira Cardoso (2006-04-07) 7 April 2006 6 0 Borussia Mönchengladbach
23 1GK Lucas Fox (2000-10-02) 2 October 2000 0 0 1. FC Bocholt

2 2DF Seid Korać (2001-10-20) 20 October 2001 19 2 Venezia
13 2DF Dirk Carlson (1998-04-01) 1 April 1998 69 0 St. Pölten
14 2DF Eric Veiga (1997-02-18) 18 February 1997 10 0 Flamurtari
18 2DF Laurent Jans (Captain) (1992-08-05) 5 August 1992 120 1 Beveren
20 2DF Eldin Džogović (2003-06-08) 8 June 2003 13 0 1. FC Magdeburg
2DF Florian Bohnert (1997-11-09) 9 November 1997 59 1 Bastia
2DF Mica Pinto (1993-06-04) 4 June 1993 41 1 Dordrecht
2DF Enes Mahmutović (1997-05-22) 22 May 1997 41 0 NAC Breda

6 3MF Tomás Moreira (2005-06-26) 26 June 2005 12 0 Benfica B
8 3MF Christopher Martins (1997-02-19) 19 February 1997 79 1 Spartak Moscow
16 3MF Leandro Barreiro (2000-01-03) 3 January 2000 71 2 Benfica
19 3MF Mathias Olesen (2001-03-21) 21 March 2001 36 1 Grazer AK
21 3MF Sébastien Thill (1993-12-29) 29 December 1993 43 2 Stal Rzeszów
3MF Enzo Duarte (2009-06-28) 28 June 2009 3 0 Borussia Dortmund U19

7 3MF Aiman Dardari (2005-03-21) 21 March 2005 10 1 Greuther Fürth
10 4FW Danel Sinani (1997-04-05) 5 April 1997 78 14 FC St. Pauli
11 4FW Edvin Muratović (1997-02-15) 15 February 1997 21 1 Panevėžys
4FW Vincent Thill (2000-02-04) 4 February 2000 57 3 Waldhof Mannheim
4FW Yvandro Borges Sanches (2004-05-24) 24 May 2004 28 3 Heracles Almelo
4FW Jayson Videira (2005-02-17) 17 February 2005 1 0 Mainz 05 II

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available and eligible for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK André Barrela (2001-01-22) 22 January 2001 0 0 Union Titus Pétange v.  Republic of Ireland, 10 June 2025

DF Marvin Martins (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995 41 3 Liepāja v.  Northern Ireland, 17 November 2025
DF Vahid Selimović (1997-04-03) 3 April 1997 14 1 Iberia 1999 v.  Northern Ireland, 17 November 2025

MF Olivier Thill (1996-12-17) 17 December 1996 48 3 Unattached v.  Northern Ireland, 17 November 2025
MF Mirza Mustafić (1998-06-20) 20 June 1998 1 0 Bali United v.  Northern Ireland, 17 November 2025
MF Lars Gerson (1990-02-05) 5 February 1990 100 4 UN Käerjéng 97 v.  Republic of Ireland, 10 June 2025
MF Diego Duarte (2006-05-03) 3 May 2006 0 0 Seraing v.  Slovenia, 6 June 2025PRE

FW Fabio Domingos (2007-10-05) 5 October 2007 0 0 Paris Saint-Germain U23 v.  Malta, 28 March 2026WD
FW Alessio Curci (2002-02-16) 16 February 2002 19 1 Neftçi v.  Northern Ireland, 17 November 2025
FW Kenan Avdusinovic (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 1 0 Progrès Niederkorn v.  Northern Ireland, 17 November 2025
FW Adulai Djabi Embalo (2005-06-20) 20 June 2005 1 0 Virtus Entella v.  Northern Ireland, 17 November 2025
FW Gerson Rodrigues (1995-06-20) 20 June 1995 72 23 Kanchanaburi Power v.  Republic of Ireland, 10 June 2025
FW Brian Madjo (2009-01-12) 12 January 2009 3 0 Aston Villa U21 v.  Republic of Ireland, 10 June 2025
FW Michael Omosanya (1999-12-25) 25 December 1999 4 0 Olympic Charleroi v.  Slovenia, 6 June 2025 PRE

Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Player records

As of 17 November 2025[30]

Players in bold are still active with Luxembourg.

Most capped players

Rank Player Caps Goals Years
1 Laurent Jans[a] 120 1 2012–present
2 Mario Mutsch[b] 102 4 2005–2019
3 Daniel da Mota[c] 100 7 2007–2021
Lars Gerson[d] 100 4 2008–present
5 Jeff Strasser 98 7 1993–2010
6 René Peters[e] 92 3 2000–2013
7 Jonathan Joubert 90 0 2006–2017
8 Eric Hoffmann[f] 88 0 2002–2014
9 Carlo Weis[g] 85 1 1978–1998
10 Aurélien Joachim[h] 80 15 2005–2019

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Gerson Rodrigues 23 72 0.32 2017–2025
2 Léon Mart 16 24 0.67 1933–1945
3 Gustave Kemp[i] 15 20 0.75 1938–1945
Aurélien Joachim[h] 15 80 0.19 2005–2019
5 Camille Libar 14 24 0.58 1938–1947
Danel Sinani 14 78 0.18 2017–present
7 Nicolas Kettel[j] 13 56 0.23 1946–1959
8 François Müller[k] 12 27 0.44 1949–1954
9 Léon Letsch 11 48 0.23 1947–1963
10 Gilbert Dussier 9 39 0.23 1971–1978

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Did not enter Declined invitation
1934 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 15
1938 2 0 0 2 2 7
1950 2 0 0 2 4 8
1954 4 0 0 4 1 19
1958 4 0 0 4 3 19
1962 4 1 0 3 5 21
1966 6 0 0 6 6 20
1970 6 0 0 6 4 24
1974 6 1 0 5 2 14
1978 6 0 0 6 2 22
1982 8 0 0 8 1 23
1986 8 0 0 8 2 27
1990 8 0 1 7 3 22
1994 8 0 1 7 2 17
1998 8 0 0 8 2 22
2002 10 0 0 10 4 28
2006 12 0 0 12 5 48
2010 10 1 2 7 4 25
2014 10 1 3 6 7 26
2018 10 1 3 6 8 26
2022 8 3 0 5 8 18
2026 6 0 0 6 1 13
2030 To be determined To be determined
2034
Total 0/23 148 8 10 130 78 464

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1960 Did not enter Declined participation
1964 Did not qualify 5 1 3 1 8 8
1968 6 0 1 5 1 18
1972 6 0 1 5 1 23
1976 6 0 0 6 7 28
1980 6 0 1 5 2 17
1984 8 0 0 8 5 36
1988 8 0 1 7 2 23
1992 6 0 0 6 2 14
1996 10 3 1 6 3 21
2000 8 0 0 8 2 23
2004 8 0 0 8 0 21
2008 12 1 0 11 2 23
2012 10 1 1 8 3 21
2016 10 1 1 8 6 27
2020 8 1 1 6 7 16
2024 11 5 2 4 13 21
2028 To be determined To be determined
2032
Total 0/17 128 13 13 102 64 340

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 D 2 2nd 6 3 1 2 11 4 44th
2020–21 C 1 2nd 6 3 1 2 7 5 39th
2022–23 C 1 2nd 6 3 2 1 9 7 37th
2024–25 C 3 In progress
Total 18 9 4 5 27 16 37th

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record[3]
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA Squad
1920 Round 1 1 0 0 1 0 3 Squad
1924 Round 2 1 0 0 1 0 2 Squad
1928 Round 1 1 0 0 1 3 5 Squad
1936 1 0 0 1 0 9 Squad
1948 2 1 0 1 7 6 Squad
1952 2 1 0 1 6 5 Squad
Total 8 2 0 6 16 30

Head to head record

As of 17 November 2025 after the match against Northern Ireland, the Luxembourg national team playing record is as follows:[3]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Laurent Jans also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, but Belgium used seven substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
  2. ^ Mario Mutsch also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, but Belgium used seven substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
  3. ^ Daniel da Mota also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, but Belgium used seven substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
  4. ^ Lars Gerson also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, but Belgium used 7 substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
  5. ^ René Peters also played and scored against Faroe Islands in 2004, but this was not recognised as a full A-international by FIFA.
  6. ^ Eric Hoffmann also played and scored against Faroe Islands in 2004, but this was not recognised as a full senior international match by FIFA.
  7. ^ Carlo Weis also played in three matches against France Amateur, West Germany B and France B, but these are not recognised as full senior international matches by FIFA.
  8. ^ a b Aurélien Joachim also played and scored in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, but Belgium used seven substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
  9. ^ Gustave Kemp also played a match at the 1936 Summer Olympics, but this was not recognised as a full senior international match by FIFA.
  10. ^ Nicolas Kettel also played and scored at the 1948 Summer Olympics, however these matches are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA.
  11. ^ François Müller also played at the 1952 Summer Olympics, however these matches are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA.

See also

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Barrie Courney (4 December 2014). "Luxembourg – List of International Matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  4. ^ Courtney, Barrie (8 March 2005). "Luxembourg | List of Unofficial International matches". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Schwartz' droombeeld werd nachtmerrie voor publiek". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 31 October 1963. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  6. ^ "De Journal". RTL Lëtzebuerg. RTL Group. 7 September 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  7. ^ "Luxembourg stuns Switzerland 2–1 in qualifying". Fox Sports. 10 September 2008. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  8. ^ "World Cup qualifying recap as France are held by Luxembourg and Belgium qualify for Russia 2018". Daily Mirror. Future plc. 3 September 2017. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  9. ^ "Luxembourg vs. France 5–4". RSSSF. 8 February 1914. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  10. ^ "France coach Didier Deschamps was left "infuriated" by his side's failures in front of goal in their goalless draw with Luxembourg, a result labelled "historic" by his opposite number". BBC Sport. 4 September 2017. Archived from the original on 3 September 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Nikolic scores as Hungary falls 2-1 to Luxembourg in international friendly | Chicago Fire FC". Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  12. ^ Cooney, Gavin (27 March 2021). "Awful Ireland embarrassed in defeat at home to Luxembourg". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Republic defeat 'embarrassing', Coleman". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  14. ^ Horváth, Bence (19 October 2023). "Football in Luxembourg: Euro 2024: Playoffs provide lifeline for the Red Lions". RTL Lëtzebuerg. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  15. ^ Mackey, Ed (4 December 2023). "Euro 2024 play-offs: All you need to know". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Luxembourg 4-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina". ESPN. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  17. ^ Horváth, Bence (22 November 2023). "International football: Luxembourg to play Georgia at Euro 2024 playoff round". RTL Lëtzebuerg. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  18. ^ "Luxembourg football scales new heights". UEFA. 1 December 2023. Archived from the original on 10 January 2024.
  19. ^ "The development of football in Luxembourg". 365scores. 11 September 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  20. ^ Arellano, Gaël (21 March 2024). "Euro 2024 Qualifiers: VAR heartbreak for Luxembourg in Georgia". RTL Lëtzebuerg. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  21. ^ Inshakov, Maksym (14 October 2023). "Dynamo footballer scores a goal in 56 seconds, setting a record. Video". Obozrevatel. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  22. ^ Dunbar, Graham (20 March 2024). "Luxembourg looks to be soccer's next Cinderella story going into Euro 2024 playoffs". Associated Press News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Friendlies Sweden vs. Luxembourg". BBC Sport. 22 March 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Stade Josy Barthel, Lëtzebuerg". eu-football.info. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  25. ^ "Luxembourg vs. Sweden". LiveScore. 22 March 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2025.
  26. ^ "Staff" (in French). Luxembourg Football Federation. Archived from the original on 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  27. ^ "Les entraîneurs nationaux du Luxembourg". profootball.lu (in French). Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  28. ^ "LA SÉLECTION DES ROUT LÉIWEN POUR LES MATCHS CONTRE MALTE" [The selection of Red Lions for matches against Malta] (in French). Luxembourg Football Federation. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Luxembourg vs. Germany". Soccerway. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  30. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Luxembourg | Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2019.