Football in Latvia
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Football in Latvia is the number one sport based on participation, but the third sport 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 (Template:Langx) 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.
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
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2 |
14 |
First League | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
3 |
16 |
Second League East |
Second League West | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4 |
37 |
Third League Centre |
Third League East |
Third League North |
Third League West | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National 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
Competitions
Leagues
Women's leagues
Cups
Clubs
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Notes
References
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External links
- League321.com - Latvian football league tables, records & statistics database Template:In lang
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