Finland national football team

The Finland national football team (Finnish: Suomen jalkapallomaajoukkue, Swedish: Finlands fotbollslandslag) represents Finland in men's international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Association of Finland, the governing body for football in Finland, which was founded in 1907. The team has been a member of FIFA since 1908 and a UEFA member since 1957.

Finland
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Huuhkajat
(The Eagle-owls)[1]
AssociationFootball Association of Finland
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachMarkku Kanerva
CaptainLukas Hradecky
Most capsJari Litmanen (137)
Top scorerTeemu Pukki (40)
Home stadiumHelsinki Olympic Stadium
FIFA codeFIN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 61 Decrease 1 (4 April 2024)[2]
Highest33 (March 2007)
Lowest110 (July–August 2017)
First international
 Finland 2–5 Sweden 
(Helsinki, Finland; 22 October 1911)
as Finland
 Sweden 1–0 Finland 
(Stockholm, Sweden; 29 May 1919)
Biggest win
 Finland 10–2 Estonia 
(Helsinki, Finland; 11 August 1922)
 Finland 8–0 San Marino 
(Helsinki, Finland; 17 November 2010)
Biggest defeat
 Germany 13–0 Finland 
(Leipzig, Germany; 1 September 1940)
European Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2020)
Best resultGroup stage (2020)
Olympic Games
Appearances4 (first in 1912)
Best resultFourth place (1912)

Finland had never qualified for a major tournament until securing a spot at UEFA Euro 2020. After decades of average results and campaigns, the nation made progress in the 2000s, achieving notable results against established European teams and reaching a peak of 33rd in the FIFA World Rankings in 2007. Afterward, their performances and results declined, drawing them to their all-time low of 110th in the FIFA Rankings in 2017. Seven years after their all-time low in the FIFA Rankings, as of April 2024, they sit at 61st place in the overall ranking.[5]

History

Finland team playing a Moscow XI in Moscow 1912

Early history

The Football Association of Finland was founded in 1907 and became a member of FIFA the next year. At the time, Finland was an autonomous grand duchy ruled by the Russian Emperors. Finland played its first international on 22 October 1911, as Sweden beat the Finns at the Eläintarha Stadium in Helsinki. Finland participated the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, beating Italy and the Russian Empire, but losing the bronze medal match against the Netherlands.

Period of dispersion

The Finnish national team against Denmark in 1933

After the 1918 Civil War, the Finnish sports movement was divided into the right-wing Finnish Gymnastics and Sports Federation (SVUL) and the leftist Finnish Workers' Sports Federation (TUL), Finnish Football Association was a member of the SVUL.[6] Both sides had their own championship series, and between 1919 and 1939 the Finland national team was selected of the Football Association players only. The Finnish Workers' Sports Federation football team in turn, participated in the competitions of the international labour movement.[7]

However, since the late 1920s several top footballers defected from TUL and joined the Football Association to be eligible for the national team. During the 1930s, these ″defectors″ formed the spine of the national team. For example, the Finland squad at the 1936 Summer Olympics was composed of eight former TUL players.[7] In 1937, Finland participated the FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time, losing all three matches against Sweden, Germany and Estonia.

Since 1939, TUL players were selected for the national team and finally, in 1956, the TUL and Football Association series were merged.[7]

Post-war years

The 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki saw the Finnish hosts lose to Austria in the first round. Finland did, however, win the unofficial Nordic championship in 1964 and 1966.[8]

Finland also took part in European Championship qualifying since the 1968 event, but had to wait for its first win until 1978.

Late 20th century

Finnish team after the victory over Yugoslavia in 1950
Finland against the Netherlands from 1975

Finland missed out on qualification for Euro 1980 by just a point and for the 1986 World Cup by two points. Finland was invited to take part in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after many Western countries announced they would boycott the games, but failed to progress from its group.

By the mid-1990s Finland started to have more players in high-profile European leagues, led by Ajax superstar Jari Litmanen.[9] In 1996, Euro 1992-winning coach Richard Møller Nielsen was hired to take Finland to the 1998 World Cup. The team enjoyed mixed fortunes in the campaign, the high points of which were a draw and a win away to Norway and Switzerland respectively. Going into the last match, Finland would have needed a win at home to Hungary to earn a place in the play-offs. They led the game 1–0 going into injury time, but scored an own goal, and their qualification campaign was over. Møller Nielsen also tried to lead Finland to Euro 2000. In this campaign, the Finns recorded a sensational win away to Turkey, but couldn't compete with Germany and Turkey in the long run.

Jari Litmanen is widely regarded as Finland's greatest footballer of all time.

Antti Muurinen succeeded Møller Nielsen as coach in 2000. He had arguably the most talented group of Finnish players ever at his disposal, including players such as Antti Niemi, Sami Hyypiä, Teemu Tainio and Mikael Forssell in addition to the legendary Litmanen. The team also performed quite well under him in qualification for the 2002 World Cup despite a difficult draw, earning two draws against Germany and a home draw with England as well as beating Greece 5–1 in Helsinki. In the end, however, England and Germany proved too strong, and the Finns finished third in the group, but were the only team in that group not to lose at home. Hopes were high going into qualification for Euro 2004 after the promising last campaign and friendly wins over the likes of Norway, Belgium and Portugal (which seen the Finns jump from 40th to 30th in the Elo ranking[4]). However, Finland started the campaign by losing to Wales and Yugoslavia (later Serbia and Montenegro, now two separate nations). These losses were followed by two defeats by Italy, and a 3–0 home win over Serbia and Montenegro was little consolation, as the Finns finished fourth in the group. In qualification for the 2006 World Cup Finland failed to score a single point in six matches against the top three teams in their group, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Romania. Muurinen was sacked in June 2005, and he was replaced by caretaker Jyrki Heliskoski, but results didn't improve.

In August 2005, it was announced that Englishman Roy Hodgson would become the new Finland coach in 2006, and he started the job in January of that year. Hodgson stepped down as manager after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008.[10] His replacement was a Scotsman, Stuart Baxter, who signed a contract until the end of the 2012 European Championship qualification campaign.[11]

Recent history

Markku Kanerva managed to lead his Finnish national team to first time qualification to a UEFA European Tournament.

In the Euro 2008 qualifying Finland needed to win their last qualifying game away to Portugal to qualify for their first major football tournament. However, the match ended 0–0 meaning the team missed out on qualification to the tournament, with Finland ending the group stage with 24 points and Portugal with 27 points. However, the performance in qualifying led to the Finns gaining their best-ever FIFA world ranking to date at 33rd.

The 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign under new head coach Stuart Baxter saw Finland again finish third in their group with five wins, three draws and two defeats. They were the only team in qualifying not to lose to eventual 3rd-place finishers Germany; in both the home and away matches Finland had led Germany only to concede late equalizers. Finland finished a disappointing fourth in Euro 2012 qualifying, with only three wins, two of them against minnows San Marino.

In the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, Finland's best result was a 1–1 draw at reigning world champions Spain. They finished third in the five-team Group I, behind Spain and France. Finland finished fourth in Euro 2016 qualifying but achieved another noteworthy result. Joel Pohjanpalo's goal gave the Finns a 1–0 win at former European champions Greece, who had reached the second round of the 2014 World Cup and were the top seeds of their qualifying group.

The 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign saw Finland finish a disappointing fifth in their group with only two wins, although one of them was over Iceland, who finished top of the qualifying group.

On 15 November 2019, Finland managed to qualify to the first major tournament, UEFA Euro 2020, in their history after defeating Liechtenstein 3–0.[12] The successful qualifying campaign in Group J, was aided by a distinctive performance of Teemu Pukki, who scored ten goals in the qualifications.[13]

On 12 June 2021 in the Euro 2020 Finland had their first victory on their debut in a major tournament finals, Joel Pohjanpalo scored the only goal, a header in a 1–0 win over Denmark to grant his country their first goal and win in a major competition.[14] Unfortunately, having lost the next two games from both Russia and Belgium to finish third, Finland was eliminated from the group stage alongside fellow debutants North Macedonia as a result of their poor performance after being edged out by fourth placed team Ukraine among third place teams due to goal difference.

Home stadiums

Helsinki Central Station lantern carriers dressed in national colours during the 2020 European Championships in 2021
Finnish national team supporters at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in 2009

Most of Finland's home matches are played at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in the capital, Helsinki. It has been Finland's principal home stadium ever since its construction was completed in 1938. Before that, Pallokenttä in Helsinki was mainly used.

Today, some qualifying matches against lower profile opponents and some friendlies are hosted at the Tampere Stadium in Tampere and Veritas Stadion in Turku. Helsinki's Bolt Arena, which has artificial turf, is also used for some friendlies and qualifiers. During the reconstruction of Helsinki Olympic Stadium in 2016–20, Tampere Stadium served as the main stadium for qualifying games.

Kits and crest

Finland's home kit worn at UEFA Euro 2020

Finland's kit are currently supplied by American brand Nike. They replaced German company Adidas, who supplied Finland's kits between 1979 and 2013.

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplierPeriod
Adidas1979–2013
Nike2014–present

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

2023

v  Slovenia
16 June 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Finland  2–0  Slovenia Helsinki, Finland
21:45 UTC+3
ReportStadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 32,560
Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Spain)
v  San Marino
19 June 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Finland  6–0  San Marino Helsinki, Finland
21:45 UTC+3
ReportStadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 32,812
Referee: Genc Nuza (Kosovo)
v  Finland
7 September 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Kazakhstan  0–1  Finland Astana, Kazakhstan
20:00 UTC+6Report
Stadium: Astana Arena
Attendance: 30,019
Referee: Radu Petrescu (Romania)
v  Denmark
10 September 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Finland  0–1  Denmark Helsinki, Finland
19:00 UTC+3ReportStadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 32,571
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
v  Finland
14 October 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Slovenia  3–0  Finland Ljubljana, Slovenia
18:00 UTC+2
ReportStadium: Stožice Stadium
Attendance: 15,823
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
v  Kazakhstan
17 October 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Finland  1–2  Kazakhstan Helsinki, Finland
19:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 30,375
Referee: Irfan Peljto (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
v  Finland
20 November 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying San Marino  1–2  Finland Serravalle, San Marino
20:45 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico de Serravalle
Attendance: 1,427
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas (Lithuania)

2024

v  Finland
21 March 2024 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs Wales  4–1  Finland Cardiff, Wales
20:45Report
Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium
Attendance: 32,162
Referee: István Kovács (Romania)
v  Estonia
26 March 2024 Friendly Finland  2–1  Estonia Helsinki, Finland
17:00
Report
Stadium: Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Referee: Mads Kristoffersen (Denmark)
v  Finland
4 June 2024 Friendly Portugal  v  Finland Lisbon, Portugal
19:45 UTC+1Stadium: Estádio José Alvalade
v  Finland
7 June 2024 Friendly Scotland  v  Finland Glasgow, Scotland
19:45 UTC+1Stadium: Hampden Park

Coaching staff

[15][16][17]

PositionName
Head coach Markku Kanerva
Assistant coach Mika Nurmela
Toni Korkeakunnas
Goalkeeping coach Antti Niemi
Fitness coach Jari-Pekka Keurulainen
Physiotherapists Jari-Pekka Keurulainen
Paavo Leiramo
Video analyst Henri Lehto
Sixten Boström
Doctor Heikki Kinnunen
Osteopath Hannu Kanerva
Kit Manager Jari Parikka
Team Manager Lennart Wangel
Technical director Aki Hyryläinen

Coaching history

As of 7 September 2023.

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-off match against Wales and friendly against Estonia on 21 and 26 March 2024, respectively.[18]

Caps and goals as of 26 March 2024, after the match against  Estonia.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11GKLukas Hradecky (captain) (1989-11-24) 24 November 1989 (age 34)910 Bayer Leverkusen
121GKJesse Joronen (1993-03-21) 21 March 1993 (age 31)180 Venezia
231GKViljami Sinisalo (2001-10-11) 11 October 2001 (age 22)20 Exeter City

22DFMatti Peltola (2002-07-03) 3 July 2002 (age 21)70 D.C. United
32DFRichard Jensen (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28)130 Aberdeen
42DFRobert Ivanov (1994-09-19) 19 September 1994 (age 29)280 Eintracht Braunschweig
52DFArttu Hoskonen (1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 (age 27)110 Cracovia
132DFPyry Soiri (1994-09-22) 22 September 1994 (age 29)447 Universitatea Craiova
152DFMiro Tenho (1995-04-02) 2 April 1995 (age 29)40 Djurgården
172DFNikolai Alho (1993-03-12) 12 March 1993 (age 31)360 Volos
182DFJere Uronen (1994-07-13) 13 July 1994 (age 29)671 Charlotte FC

63MFGlen Kamara (1995-10-28) 28 October 1995 (age 28)592 Leeds United
73MFAnssi Suhonen (2001-01-14) 14 January 2001 (age 23)70 Hamburger SV
83MFRobin Lod (1993-04-17) 17 April 1993 (age 31)666 Minnesota United
93MFFredrik Jensen (1997-09-09) 9 September 1997 (age 26)308 FC Augsburg
113MFRasmus Schüller (vice-captain) (1991-06-18) 18 June 1991 (age 32)750 Djurgården
143MFKaan Kairinen (1998-12-22) 22 December 1998 (age 25)170 Sparta Prague
163MFOliver Antman (2001-08-15) 15 August 2001 (age 22)105 Nordsjælland
213MFDaniel Håkans (2000-10-26) 26 October 2000 (age 23)84 Vålerenga
223MFIlmari Niskanen (1997-10-12) 12 October 1997 (age 26)181 Exeter City

104FWTeemu Pukki (vice-captain) (1990-03-29) 29 March 1990 (age 34)12040 Minnesota United
194FWBenjamin Källman (1998-06-17) 17 June 1998 (age 25)196 Cracovia
204FWJoel Pohjanpalo (1994-09-13) 13 September 1994 (age 29)7115 Venezia

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GKHugo Keto (1998-02-09) 9 February 1998 (age 26)00 Sandefjordv.  San Marino, 20 November 2023

DFTomas Galvez (2005-01-28) 28 January 2005 (age 19)20 Manchester Cityv.  San Marino, 20 November 2023
DFNoah Pallas (2001-02-09) 9 February 2001 (age 23)30 HJKv.  San Marino, 20 November 2023
DFTuomas Ollila (2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 24)20 Paris FCv.  Kazakhstan, 17 October 2023
DFDiogo Tomas (1997-07-31) 31 July 1997 (age 26)40 HJKv.  Kazakhstan, 17 October 2023
DFLeo Väisänen (1997-07-24) 24 July 1997 (age 26)260 Austin FCv.  Kazakhstan, 17 October 2023
DFKevin Kouassivi-Benissan (1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 25)00 HJKv.  Denmark, 10 September 2023

MFRobert Taylor (1994-10-21) 21 October 1994 (age 29)342 Inter Miamiv.  Wales, 21 March 2024 WD
MFLucas Lingman (1998-01-25) 25 January 1998 (age 26)110 HJKv.  San Marino, 20 November 2023
MFNiilo Mäenpää (1998-01-14) 14 January 1998 (age 26)30 Warta Poznańv.  Kazakhstan, 17 October 2023

FWMarcus Forss (1999-06-18) 18 June 1999 (age 24)212 Middlesbroughv.  Wales, 21 March 2024 INJ

Notes
  • INJ = Withdrew due to an injury
  • WD = Withdrew due to a non-injury issue
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / standby
  • RET = Retired from international duty

Player records

As of 21 March 2024.[19]
  Players still active are highlighted in blue

Most appearances

Jari Litmanen is Finland's most capped player with 137 appearances.
RankPlayerCapsGoalsCareer
1Jari Litmanen137321989–2010
2Teemu Pukki120402009–present
3Sami Hyypiä10651992–2010
Jonatan Johansson106221996–2010
5Ari Hjelm100201983–1996
6Joonas Kolkka98111994–2010
7Lukas Hradecky9102010–present
8Mikael Forssell87291999–2014
9Erkka Petäjä8401983–1994
Tim Sparv8412009–2021

Top goalscorers

Teemu Pukki is Finland's top scorer with 40 goals.
RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareer
1Teemu Pukki401200.342009–present
2Jari Litmanen321370.231989–2010
3Mikael Forssell29870.331999–2014
4Jonatan Johansson221060.211996–2010
5Ari Hjelm201000.21983–1996
6Mixu Paatelainen18700.261986–2000
7Verner Eklöf17320.531919-1927
8Aulis Koponen16390.411924–1935
Gunnar Åström16440.361923–1937
10Joel Pohjanpalo15710.212012–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearResultPositionPldWDLGFGACampaignPldWDLGFGA
1930Did not enterDeclined invitation
1934Did not enter
1938Did not qualify1938300307
1950Withdrew during qualifying1950201114
1954Did not qualify19544022713
195819584004219
196219624004312
196619666105520
197019706105628
197419746114321
1978197862041116
198219828107427
198619868323712
199019906114416
1994199410217918
1998199883231112
200220028332127
20062006125162119
20102010105321414
20142014823359
2018201810235913
2022202283231010
2026To be determinedTo be determined
2030
2034
Total0/22137352577144297

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship recordQualifying record
YearResultPositionPldWDLGFGASquadCampaignPldWDLGFGA
1960Did not enterDid not enter
1964
1968Did not qualify19686024512
197219726015116
197619766015313
1980198062221015
198419846015314
198819886114410
19921992814358
19961996105051818
2000200083141313
200420048314910
2008200814662137
20122012103161616
2016201610334910
2020Group stage17th310213Squad2020106041610
2024Did not qualify2024 (PO)116051914
2028To be determinedTo be determined
2032
TotalGroup stage1/17310213125392462144186

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
SeasonDivisionGroupPosPldWDLGFGAP/RRK
2018–19C21st640253 28th
2020–21B42nd640275 21st
2022–23B32nd622286 21st
2024–25B2To be determined
Total181026201421st

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
YearResultPositionPldWDLGFGASquad
As Grand Duchy of Finland
1896No football tournament was held
1900Did not enter
1904
1908
1912Fourth place4th4202516Squad
Since 1917, Declaration of Independence
1920Did not enter
1924
1928
1932No football tournament was held
1936Round of 1614th100137Squad
1948Did not enter
1952Round of 169th100134Squad
1956Did not enter
1960Did not qualify
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980Group stage9th311132Squad
1984Did not qualify
1988
Since 1992Olympic football has been an under-23 tournament
TotalFourth place4/1793151429

Nordic Football Championship

Nordic Football Championship record
YearResultPositionPldWDLGFGA
1929–32Fourth place4th122282352
1933–36123181836
1937–471211101251
1948–51121381128
1952–551211101353
1956–59120111844
1960–63122281437
1964–67Third place3rd125251417
1968–71Fourth place4th120481031
1972–77121471026
1978–8061471026
1981–856114711
2000–01Champions1st540173
Total1 Title13/14137212492150401

Baltic Cup

Baltic Cup record
YearResultPldWDLGFGA
2012Runners-up211032
2014Third place210121
Total421153

Head-to-head record

This list is Finland national team complete records, both friendlies and competitive matches.[20]

As of 17 October 2023.[21]
OpponentGPWDLGFGAGDWin %
All Nations7722041574119101,605−695026.42
AgainstPlayedWonDrawnLostGFGAGD% Won
 Albania741286+2057.14
 Algeria100102−2000.00
 Andorra211030+3050.00
 Armenia6510111+10083.33
 Austria111281124−13009.09
 Azerbaijan8701155+10087.50
 Bahrain541091+8080.00
 Barbados101000+0000.00
 Belarus523074+3040.00
 Belgium114431920−1036.36
 Bermuda110020+2100.00
 Bolivia201125−3000.00
 Bosnia and Herzegovina72231112−1028.57
 Brazil300339−6000.00
 Bulgaria10217319−16020.00
 Cameroon201102−2000.00
 Canada110032+1100.00
 Chile100102−2000.00
 China410376+1025.00
 Colombia100113−2000.00
 Costa Rica100112−1000.00
 Croatia201112−1000.00
 Cyprus421174+3050.00
 Czech Republic113351422−8027.27
 Denmark6212104062155−93019.35
 East Germany7214821−13028.57
 Ecuador100113−2000.00
 Egypt200224−2000.00
 England130211744−37000.00
 Estonia33151087441+33045.45
 Faroe Islands5500151+14100.00
 France111010322−19009.09
 Georgia211021+1050.00
 Germany2316161982−63004.35
 Greece186392229−7033.33
 Honduras110021+1100.00
 Hungary1733111548−33017.65
 Iceland147342115+6050.00
 India211020+2050.00
 Indonesia100113−2000.00
 Iraq220030+3100.00
 Ireland5023211−9000.00
 Israel521266+0040.00
 Italy131111732−25007.69
 Japan200217−6000.00
 Jordan110021+1100.00
 Kazakhstan751193+6071.43
 Kosovo211021+1050.00
 Kuwait732265+1042.86
 Latvia1710343218+14058.82
 Liechtenstein532093+6060.00
 Lithuania5302155+10060.00
 Luxembourg5401124+8080.00
 Malaysia100112−1000.00
 Malta742195+4057.14
 Mexico401327−5000.00
 Moldova421175+2050.00
 Montenegro220040+4100.00
 Morocco211010+1050.00
 Netherlands1412111443−29007.14
 North Korea110030+3100.00
 North Macedonia7331123+9042.86
 Northern Ireland104241412+2040.00
 Norway679174182182−100013.43
 Oman633072+5050.00
 Peru100137−4000.00
 Poland2938182567−42010.34
 Portugal10145614−8010.00
 Qatar413043+1025.00
 Romania13058629−23000.00
 Russia2115151367−54004.76
 San Marino5500210+21100.00
 Saudi Arabia421174+3050.00
 Scotland8026518−13000.00
 Serbia102261032−22020.00
 Slovakia301214−3000.00
 Slovenia421154+1050.00
 South Korea300305−5000.00
 Spain8125516−11012.50
 Sweden9011116896296−200012.22
  Switzerland520357−2040.00
 Thailand5500126+6100.00
 Trinidad and Tobago531187+1060.00
 Tunisia321062+4066.67
 Turkey156452224−2040.00
 United Arab Emirates101011+0000.00
 Ukraine401336−3000.00
 United States200213−2000.00
 Uruguay200218−7000.00
 Wales134541217−5030.77
 Yemen101000+0000.00
Total7722041574119101,605−695026.42

Honours

Minor tournaments

See also

References

External links