| Football in Latvia | |
| Union: | Latvian Football Federation |
| Country: | Latvia |
| Sport: | association football |
| Nationalteam: | Latvia national football team |
| National List: | Latvian Cup |
| Club List: | Latvian Higher League |
| Intl List: | 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) |
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 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.
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.
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 is the only team from Latvia which has played in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League (2009–10). 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.
See 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.
| width=5% | 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) | Third League East 9 clubs – 0 to 2 promotions (4 nationwide) | Third League North 10 clubs – 0 to 2 promotions (4 nationwide) | Third League West 8 clubs – 0 to 2 promotions (4 nationwide) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See main article: article and 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 main article: List of football clubs in Latvia.