Finland national football team

History

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

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). The Finnish Football Association was a member of the SVUL. Both sides had their own championship series, and between 1919 and 1939 the Finland national team was selected from Football Association players only. The Finnish Workers' Sports Federation football team participated in the competitions of the international labour movement.

However, from the late 1920s several top footballers defected from the TUL and joined the Football Association so as 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 included eight former TUL players. In 1937, Finland participated FIFA World Cup qualification for the first time, losing all three matches against Sweden, Germany and Estonia.

From 1939, TUL players were selected for the national team and finally, in 1956, the TUL and the Football Association series were merged.

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.

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

Late 20th century

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. 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 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 that campaign the Finns recorded a sensational win away to Turkey, but couldn't compete with Germany and Turkey in the long run.

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 performed quite well under him in qualification for the 2002 World Cup despite a difficult group, 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, although they were the only team in the group not to lose at home. Hopes were high going into qualification for Euro 2004 after the promising previous campaign and friendly wins over the likes of Norway, Belgium and Portugal (which saw the Finns jump from 40th to 30th in the Elo ranking). 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 replaced by caretaker Jyrki Heliskoski, but results didn't improve.

Recent history

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.

Hodgson's replacement was a Scotsman, Stuart Baxter, who signed a contract until the end of the 2012 European Championship qualification campaign. 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 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.

Mixu Paatelainen era (2011–2015)

During the Euro 2012 qualifying, head coach Baxter was sacked, and on 31 March 2011 he was replaced by former national team player Mixu Paatelainen. Paatelainen started his tenure with a win against San Marino, only to be followed by a 5–0 loss against Sweden. Finland eventually finished fourth in its group with only three wins, two of them against San Marino.

Paatelainen's deal with the Finnish FA extended until 2016, covering the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers, and also the next 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification and the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers. As Finland had already been eliminated from UEFA Euro 2012, his main task was to renew the national team with a generation switch, and try to qualify for one or more of the tournaments during his projected tenure as Finland's head coach. This included ultimately leaving out Jari Litmanen, the most capped player and the team's long-served captain and "The King of Finnish Football".

In the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign, Finland's best result was a 1–1 draw against reigning world champions Spain. They finished third in the five-team Group I, behind Spain and France. On 14 June 2015, Paatelainen was sacked following his fourth defeat in a row during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. Finland eventually finished fourth in Euro 2016 qualifying under the guidance of a caretaker manager, Markku Kanerva. They achieved a somewhat noteworthy result when 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.

Paatelainen had applied his preferred formation of 4–3–2–1, which he had named joulukuusi – the Christmas tree – due to its shape. Because of the bad results while insistently using the same formation, and his defensive statements to media, he gained a negative reputation among the supporters and the media, and his time as the national team head coach is still remembered mainly for joulukuusi.

Hans Backe (2016)

On 12 August 2015, Swedish Hans Backe was named the new manager, starting on 1 January 2016. His first official match with the team was on 10 January 2016, and ended in a 3–0 defeat by Sweden. On 12 December 2016, Backe was fired during the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, and a former assistant and caretaker Markku Kanerva was named the new head coach. Finland did not win a single game during Backe's time as head coach. His record during 2016 was nine defeats and two draws.

Markku Kanerva era (2016–2024)

Finland's FIFA ranking had declined from its peak of 33rd in 2007 to 110th in 2017. As UEFA created a new competition, UEFA Nations League, to largely replace international friendlies, Finland were placed in the League C in the first 2018–19 edition due to the low ranking position. Kanerva renewed the team roster, as veterans such as Perparim Hetemaj, Niklas Moisander and Alexander Ring had announced their retirement from international duty. Roman Eremenko was also no longer available for national team due to a competition ban. With a help of goalscoring by Teemu Pukki and saves by captain goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, Finland won their League C Group 2, ahead of Hungary, Greece and Estonia, and won promotion to League B for the next edition of UEFA Nations League.

Kanerva continued to get outstanding results with the team in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualification, and on 15 November 2019 Finland qualified for the country's first ever major tournament, UEFA Euro 2020, after defeating Liechtenstein 3–0 and finishing as the Group J runner-up behind Italy. The successful qualifying campaign was aided by the distinguished performance of Teemu Pukki, who scored ten goals in ten qualifying matches. However, the tournament finals were postponed to the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second edition of UEFA Nations League started in autumn 2020, and Finland was drawn with Wales, Ireland and Bulgaria in Group 4. They defeated both Ireland and Bulgaria home and away, but lost both games against Wales, finishing 2nd in the group and missing out on promotion to the following season's League A.

On 12 June 2021, in the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, Finland beat Denmark 1-0, with Joel Pohjanpalo scoring the only goal with a header to give his country their first goal and the first win in a major tournament finals. The game was interrupted by a heart attack suffered by Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, which he survived. Unfortunately, after losing the next two games against Russia and Belgium, Finland finished third in the group and were knocked out at the group stage alongside fellow debutants North Macedonia.

Finland failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, even though Pukki continued his scoring streak with 6 goals in the qualifiers. They were drawn with France, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kazakhstan in the Group D, finishing 3rd and missing the second round qualification play-offs. The long-serving defenders Jukka Raitala, Paulus Arajuuri and Joona Toivio announced their retirement from international football after the qualifiers.

Having secured their spot in the Nations League B, Finland was drawn in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League B Group 3 with Bosnia, Romania and Montenegro. They had two wins, two draws and two losses, and defended their place in League B again as the group's runners-up behind Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After qualifying for the previous European tournament, the team and the country had high hopes when starting the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. Finland started expectedly with an away loss to Denmark, but won the next three games in a row against Northern Ireland away in March, and Slovenia and San Marino at home in June, with zero goals conceded in the three games. They continued with an away win against Kazakhstan in September, but lost the next three games against Denmark at home, Slovenia away and Kazakhstan at home. The shocking loss to Kazakhstan occurred with two goals conceded late in the game after Finland had been leading 1–0. The defeat took away the possibility of direct qualification. Finland ended the qualifying campaign with two wins in the last two matches, including 4–0 victory over Northern Ireland at home in November, and finished third in the group. As they had placed among the best runner-ups in the previous Nations League, and with a help of overlapping results in other games, Finland had secured their place in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying play-offs. In March 2024, in the first decisive play-off match against Wales away, Finland were destroyed 4–1 and so failed to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.

After a run of mediocre results and having been seen as not realising the full potential of the team, speculations had started about the extension of Kanerva's contract. However, during Kanerva's seven-year spell, Finland had ascended in FIFA rankings and as of Summer 2024, were sitting at the 63rd place. The national team roster had undergone a relatively large renovation by Kanerva. He had successfully called up players from the younger generation, including Kaan Kairinen, Benjamin Källman, Oliver Antman, Daniel Håkans and Matti Peltola.

On 17 June 2024, after some ambiguous comments by the Finnish FA president Ari Lahti, it was announced by the FA that Markku Kanerva would continue as the manager of the team until the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification and for the possible final tournament. The assistant coaches Mika Nurmela and Toni Korkeakunnas would be replaced by Jani Honkavaara, and by former long-time national team players Teemu Tainio and Tim Sparv. Kanerva, with his new staff, was set to start preparing the team for the upcoming 2024–25 UEFA Nations League B, where Finland would face England, Ireland and Greece in Group 2, starting in September. Finland lost both games against Greece and England away with apathetic performances. According to Helsingin Sanomat, Kanerva was by that point only a puppet leader of the national team until the 2024 Veikkausliiga season finished, after which assistant coach Jani Honkavaara, also a current manager of Veikkausliiga club KuPS, would be named a sole head coach of the national team, although he then later allegedly declined the job offer. There was also a conflict of interest for Finnish FA president Ari Lahti, who was the owner of KuPS. Finland finished the Nations League campaign at the bottom of the group after six losses, with a 2–13 goal difference, and were relegated to League C. On 22 November 2024, the board of the Finnish FA released head coach Kanerva from his contract.

Jacob Friis (2025–present)

On 20 January 2025, the Finnish FA announced that Danish coach Jacob Friis had been named the new manager of the Finland national team, on a three-year deal with an option for the possible UEFA Euro 2028 final tournament.

Home stadiums

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.

During 2000s and 2010s, some qualifying matches against lower profile opponents and some friendlies were 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 between 2016 and 2020, Tampere Stadium served as the main stadium for qualifying games.

The team returned permanently to Helsinki Olympic Stadium in 2020, after a delayed reconstruction and renovation were finished, but had to play some of the first games without an audience due to the pandemic.

In the five home matches during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualification campaign, Huuhkajat had a record audience average of 31,406 (157,029 in total), which corresponds to around 97 per cent of the stadium's full capacity.

Kits and crest

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

Kit sponsorship

Results and fixtures

Main article: Finland national football team results (2020-present)

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

2025

• Antman
• Kučys
• Gineitis
• Kairinen
• Pohjanpalo
• Depay
• Dumfries
• Pohjanpalo
• Källman
• Kiwior
• Haaland
• Cash
• Lewandowski
• Kamiński
• Källman
• Källman
• Markhiyev
• Širvys
• Malen
• van Dijk
• Depay
• Gakpo
• Pukki
• Pyyhtiä
• Walta

2026

Coaching staff

Coaching history

|- |1922

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for FIFA World Cup qualification match against Malta and friendly match against Andorra on 14 and 17 November 2025, respectively.

Caps and goals as of 17 November 2025, after the match against Andorra.

RET

Recent call-ups

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

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

Player records

Main article: List of Finland international footballers

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

UEFA European Championship

Main article: Finland at the UEFA European Championship

UEFA Nations League

Olympic Games

Nordic Football Championship

Baltic Cup

Head-to-head record

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

|}

Honours

Regional

• Baltic Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2012
  • Third-place (1): 2014
• Nordic Football Championship
  • Champions (1): 2000–01
  • Third place (1): 1964–67

Friendly

• King's Cup
  • Runners-up (2): 2000, 2013
• Cyprus International Football Tournament
  • Champions (1): 2005

Notes

References

References

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6. "Nordic Championships 1964–67".
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11. (31 March 2011). "Mixu Paatelainen: Maajoukkueen puolustuksessa tehty isoja virheitä". [[Helsingin Sanomat]].
12. [https://www.is.fi/huuhkajat/art-2000000945455.html Paatelaisen joulukuuselle naureskeltiin vuosia – tässä hyljityn järjestelmän lyhyt historia], [[Ilta-Sanomat]], 13 June 2015
13. [http://www.onceametro.com/2015/8/12/9136387/hans-backe-appointed-head-coach-of-finland-mens-national-team Hans Backe appointed head coach of Finland men's national team]
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28. [https://www.palloliitto.fi/ajankohtaista/jacob-friis-on-huuhkajien-uusi-paavalmentaja Jacob Friis on Huuhkajien uusi päävalmentaja], [[Football Association of Finland]], 20 January 2025
29. [https://x.com/Huuhkajat/status/1725755720593711483 157 029 x KIITOS!], Huuhkajat
30. "Tässä on Huuhkajien uusi taustaryhmä". Finnish Football Association.
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32. (9 November 2025). "Terho sivussa marraskuun otteluista – Jukkola Huuhkajiin".
33. (10 November 2025). "Mahuta Huuhkajiin – Jensen ja Ståhl sivussa marraskuun otteluista".
34. (11 November 2025). "Lisää muutoksia Huuhkajiin – Peltola mukaan, Joronen sivussa".
35. "Finland – International Player Records".
36. "FIFA Tournaments - Compare Teams".
37. "Finland – Historical results".
38. "Finland - International A Matches".