Luxembourg has participated in every FIFA World Cup qualifiers since those for the 1934 World Cup and in UEFA European Championship qualifiers since those for Euro 1964. As of 2024, they have never qualified for any of these major tournaments. Luxembourg is the nation with the most qualifying campaigns in both of these competitions without ever making it to the finals. However, they did compete in six Olympic football events between 1920 and 1952.[3]
History
The Luxembourg national football team in 1920 (above), and in 2015
Luxembourg played their first ever international match on 29 October 1911, in a friendly match against France; it resulted in a 1–4 defeat.[3] Their first victory came on 8 February 1914, also in a match against France, which they won 5–4.[3]
The national side of Luxembourg competed in six Olympic football events between 1920 and 1952, and survived the preliminary round twice (in 1948 and 1952).[3] In between, Luxembourg started participating at qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup, but as of 2022 they have never qualified.
Starting in 1921, the Luxembourg national A-selection would play 239 unofficial international matches until 1981, mostly against other countries' B-teams like those of Belgium, France, Switzerland and West Germany, as well as a team representing South-Netherlands.[4]
The Luxembourg team in 1969, before a World Cup qualifier
After their last Olympic tournament in 1952, the national team also started playing in qualifying groups for UEFA European Championships, but could not reach the major European tournament end stages. The only time that the team was close to qualify was for a European or World Championship was for the Euro 1964. In the first qualification round they defeated the Netherlands with a score of 3–2 on aggregate after two matches. A Dutch newspaper commented this stunt after the second match with "David Luxembourg won with 2–1 [against Goliath Netherlands]".[5] In the round of eight, Luxembourg and Denmark fought for a spot in the final tournament. The winner was decided after three matches; Denmark was the winner with a total aggregate score of 6–5.
When the national team does win a competitive match, they are often celebrated by national media and fans, as was the case after a 2–1 win against Switzerland in 2008.[6][7]
On 3 September 2017, Luxembourg held France to a 0–0 draw at Stadium Municipal in Toulouse, France.[8] It was the first time France had failed to win against Luxembourg since 1914, when Luxembourg won, 5–4.[9][10] On 10 November 2017, Luxembourg pulled off an upset by defeating Hungary 2–1 in a friendly.[11]
On 28 March 2021, Luxembourg beat the Republic of Ireland in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match with a goal from Gerson Rodrigues in the 85th minute.[12][13] In 2023, Luxembourg achieved some of their best results in European Championship qualifying, finishing third in their group (of six teams) and qualifying for a play-off for a finals berth,[14][15][16][17][18][19] but they lost 2–0 to Georgia.[20] Rodrigues also became the top goal scorer in the history of the national team, surpassing the 16-goal tally by Léon Mart, by scoring 5 goals during the qualifying process, also a record for a Luxembourgish player.[21][22]
Kit
Traditionally, the badge on Luxembourg's team outfit displays a shield very similar to Luxembourg's lesser coat of arms, a red lion on a white-blue striped background – hence the team's nickname Red Lions. In modern times, the team played home games in entirely red strips, in accordance with their nickname, and wore white as away colour.
As of 1 September 2021, the Luxembourg national team adopted Luxembourg City's, Stade de Luxembourg the country's national stadium, as its home venue. Formerly, the team played at the Stade Josy Barthel, where, at counting in August 2015, it had played 235 games, including unofficial matches.[23] It is also used for rugby union and athletics.
^Laurent Jans also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, however Belgium used 7 substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
^Mario Mutsch also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, however Belgium used 7 substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
^Daniel da Mota also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, however Belgium used 7 substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
^Lars Gerson also played in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, however Belgium used 7 substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
^René Peters also played and scored against Faroe Islands in 2004, however this was not recognised as a full A-international by FIFA.
^Eric Hoffmann also played and scored against Faroe Islands in 2004, however this was not recognised as a full A-international by FIFA.
^Carlo Weis also played in three matches against France Amateur, West Germany B and France B, however these are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA.
^ abAurélien Joachim also played and scored in Luxembourg's match against Belgium in 2014, however Belgium used 7 substitutions, rendering the match unofficial according to FIFA regulations.
^Gustave Kemp also played a match at the 1936 Summer Olympics, however this is not recognised as a full A-international by FIFA.
^Nicolas Kettel also played and scored at the 1948 Summer Olympics, however these matches are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA.
^François Müller also played at the 1952 Summer Olympics, however these matches are not recognised as full A-internationals by FIFA.
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