Overview
The Lithuania national football team, affectionately known as Rinktinė (The Team), represents the Republic of Lithuania in men's international football. The team is controlled by the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF), which was founded in 1922 and subsequently joined FIFA in 1923 [1]. Following a period of Soviet occupation, the LFF rejoined FIFA in 1992 after Lithuania regained independence [1]. As a member of UEFA, European football's governing body, Lithuania competes in qualification tournaments for the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, and the UEFA Nations League [2].
As of April 2026, Lithuania holds the 137th position in the FIFA Men's World Ranking, reflecting its standing among global footballing nations [3]. The team plays its home matches primarily at the Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas and the LFF Stadium in Vilnius. Historically, Lithuania has not qualified for any major international tournaments, such as the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship. Despite this, the national team has consistently participated in qualification cycles, often acting as a challenging opponent for higher-ranked teams within their groups.
The national team's identity is rooted in resilience and a commitment to developing domestic talent. While lacking a consistent presence of players in Europe's top leagues, Lithuanian football has produced several notable individuals who have played abroad. The team's traditional kit colours are yellow shirts, green shorts, and yellow socks, mirroring the colours of the Lithuanian flag. The LFF continues to invest in youth development programs, aiming to strengthen the national team's future prospects and elevate its competitive standing within UEFA.
History
The history of Lithuanian national football began shortly after the country gained independence in the early 20th century. The Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) was established in 1922, and the national team played its first official international match on June 24, 1923, defeating Estonia 5–0 [4]. This early period saw Lithuania primarily competing against fellow Baltic states in regional tournaments like the Baltic Cup. The team participated in the 1924 Paris Olympics football tournament, losing their only match to Switzerland [5].
With the Soviet occupation in 1940, Lithuanian football was integrated into the Soviet sports system. Lithuanian players often represented the Soviet Union national team, and the Lithuanian SSR team competed in internal Soviet competitions [6]. This era saw a hiatus in independent Lithuanian international football until the restoration of independence in 1990.
Following the re-establishment of independence, the LFF rejoined FIFA and UEFA in 1992, marking the beginning of the modern era for the national team [1]. Lithuania immediately began participating in qualification campaigns for the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. The 1990s and early 2000s are often considered a relatively strong period, with the team achieving some notable results, including draws against Italy and Germany in Euro and World Cup qualifiers, respectively [4]. Under coaches like Benas Razanauskas and Algimantas Liubinskas, the team demonstrated tactical discipline and defensive solidity.
The 2000s and 2010s saw Lithuania continue to compete in qualification cycles, often finishing in the lower half of their groups. While a breakthrough to a major tournament remained elusive, the team occasionally produced upset results, such as a 2-0 victory over Czech Republic in a Euro 2012 qualifier [4]. More recently, the team has faced challenges in achieving consistent results, often struggling against more established European footballing nations. The emphasis has shifted towards developing younger players and strengthening the domestic league to provide a more robust foundation for the national side. Despite periods of decline, the national team remains a significant cultural symbol, with each qualification campaign eagerly followed by the Lithuanian public.
Major honours
The Lithuania national football team has not yet qualified for a major international tournament such as the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship. Consequently, they do not hold any titles from these premier competitions. Their most significant achievements have come in regional tournaments, particularly the Baltic Cup, which is contested among the national teams of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Lithuania has had a competitive history in the Baltic Cup, winning the tournament on numerous occasions. These regional successes represent the team's primary honours and highlight periods of relative strength compared to their immediate neighbours. The Baltic Cup, while not a FIFA or UEFA-sanctioned major honour, holds considerable prestige within the Baltic states.
| Competition | Result | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Baltic Cup | Winners | 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2010 |
In addition to these victories, Lithuania has also finished as runners-up in the Baltic Cup multiple times, demonstrating consistent competitiveness in the regional context. Their participation in the 1924 Paris Olympics football tournament, although resulting in an early exit, marked an early appearance on a global stage [5]. While the team continues to strive for qualification for larger international tournaments, their regional accolades remain an important part of their footballing heritage.
Notable players
Over its history, the Lithuania national football team has featured several players who have left a significant mark, both domestically and internationally. These individuals often served as cornerstones for the national side during their respective eras.
- Edgaras Jankauskas: A powerful striker, Jankauskas is one of Lithuania's most decorated players. He enjoyed a successful club career across Europe, notably winning the UEFA Champions League with Porto in 2004 [7]. He was a key figure for the national team throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, later becoming the national team's head coach.
- Arminas Narbekovas: Considered one of Lithuania's greatest talents, Narbekovas was an elegant attacking midfielder. He was part of the Soviet Union team that won gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics [8], though he later represented independent Lithuania.
- Deividas Šemberas: A versatile defensive midfielder or defender, Šemberas had a long and distinguished career, most notably with CSKA Moscow, where he won multiple Russian Premier League titles and the UEFA Cup in 2005 [9]. He was a stalwart for the national team for over a decade.
- Marius Stankevičius: A robust defender, Stankevičius played for several prominent clubs in Italy and Spain, including Lazio and Sevilla. His experience in top European leagues made him a vital leader and defensive anchor for Lithuania [10].
- Tomas Danilevičius: Lithuania's all-time leading goal scorer, Danilevičius was a prolific striker who spent much of his career in Italy. His goal-scoring prowess made him a crucial attacking threat for the national team [11].
- Gintaras Staučė: A highly respected goalkeeper, Staučė played for clubs in Russia, Turkey, and Germany. He was a consistent presence between the posts for Lithuania for many years and later served as a goalkeeping coach [12].
In the current generation, players like Arvydas Novikovas, a winger known for his pace and technical ability, and Fedor Černych, a versatile forward who has captained the team, are among the key figures. They carry the responsibility of leading the national team in contemporary qualification campaigns, often playing in leagues across Eastern and Central Europe.
World Cup record
The Lithuania national football team has consistently participated in the qualification campaigns for the FIFA World Cup since its re-entry into international football in 1992 [1]. However, the team has not yet succeeded in qualifying for the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup. Their campaigns have typically seen them drawn into groups with stronger European nations, making progression a significant challenge.
Lithuania's best performances in World Cup qualifiers have often involved securing draws or occasional victories against mid-tier European teams, but they have yet to accumulate enough points to seriously contend for a qualification spot or a play-off place. For instance, in the qualifiers for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Lithuania finished third in their group, a respectable outcome at the time [13]. Similarly, in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, they managed to draw with Spain and beat Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lithuania will once again enter the qualification process, aiming to improve on past performances. The expanded format of the tournament might offer new pathways, but the competition within UEFA remains intense. As of the current cycle, Lithuania is engaged in the early stages of qualification, with the goal of building a competitive squad capable of challenging for a higher finish in their group [14]. The team continues to develop its young talent and integrate experienced players in an effort to achieve their long-sought World Cup debut.
Current head coach
As of May 2026, the current head coach of the Lithuania national football team is Edgaras Jankauskas. Jankauskas, a former national team striker and UEFA Champions League winner with Porto, took the helm for his second spell in February 2023 [7]. His initial tenure ran from 2016 to 2018, during which he oversaw the team's participation in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the early stages of the UEFA Nations League.
Jankauskas's coaching philosophy often emphasizes tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and quick transitions. He aims to instill a strong team spirit and maximize the potential of the available players, many of whom play in various leagues across Europe. Key results during his most recent tenure have included competitive performances in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers and the UEFA Nations League, where the team has strived to avoid relegation from their respective leagues.
His deep understanding of Lithuanian football, combined with his extensive playing experience at the highest level, positions him as a respected figure within the national setup. Jankauskas's primary objective is to develop a more competitive national team capable of challenging for higher finishes in qualification groups and ultimately aiming for a maiden appearance at a major international tournament.