With their World Cup aspirations under threat, Finland’s national football team is turning to fresh blood. Head coach Jacob Friis has named four uncapped players in his latest squad for the crucial October qualifiers, hoping to inject new energy into the side ahead of decisive clashes against Lithuania and the Netherlands. The selections mark a pivotal moment for the Eagle Owls, who are fighting to stay in the hunt for a historic first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
New Faces Brought In for the Crucial Stretch
Finland’s latest squad announcement is headlined by the inclusion of four players yet to feature at the senior level, all of whom have previously represented the nation at the U21 stage.
Among them are Tony Miettinen, a centre-back starring for Swedish league leaders Mjällby, and Juho Lahteenmäki, a promising full-back from FC Nordsjaelland. In midfield, Naatan Skyttä of Kaiserslautern gets his shot, while Adrian Svanbäck, a young forward from Häcken, will look to make his mark up front.
This infusion of youth suggests Friis is not only thinking about the immediate challenge but also building for the future, as Finland navigates the business end of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Return of the Rising Stars
In addition to the four newcomers, the squad also sees the return of two players who made their senior debuts earlier this year: Leo Walta and Casper Terho. Their inclusion signals a continued commitment to youth development, with both players viewed as long-term assets for the national side.
Veterans Provide Balance and Leadership
Despite the youthful additions, Finland’s core of experienced internationals remains intact. Veterans like Teemu Pukki, Robin Lod, and Joel Pohjanpalo have been selected once again to provide leadership in a squad that blends youth with experience. These seasoned players will be vital in guiding the newcomers through the high-stakes fixtures ahead.
Qualifying Picture: Pressure Mounts After Poland Defeat
Finland began their qualification campaign strongly, even sitting atop the group at one point. However, a damaging 2–1 loss to Poland in September saw them slip to third place, trailing both the Poles and the Netherlands by three points.
With just a handful of games left, Finland’s margin for error has vanished. Their next match is a must-win home fixture against Lithuania on Thursday, October 9. Anything less than three points would be a major blow to their hopes. Then, just three days later, comes a daunting away trip to Amsterdam to face the Netherlands on Sunday, October 12 — a fixture that could define their qualifying campaign.
Full Finland Squad for October World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Jesse Joronen, Viljami Sinisalo, Lucas Bergström
Defenders: Robert Ivanov, Miro Tenho, Ville Koski, Tony Miettinen, Jere Uronen, Nikolai Alho, Adam Ståhl, Juho Lahteenmäki, Matti Peltola
Midfielders: Adam Markhiev, Santeri Väänänen, Leo Walta, Anssi Suhonen, Kaan Kairinen, Naatan Skyttä, Oliver Antman, Topi Keskinen, Oiva Jukkola
Forwards: Joel Pohjanpalo, Benjamin Källman, Teemu Pukki, Adrian Svanbäck, Casper Terho, Robin Lod
