Luxembourg vs Iceland – News and Probable Lineups

Luxembourg hosts Iceland at the Stade de Luxembourg on Tuesday evening for the second matchday of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League season.

In their first fixture, the Red Lions came from behind to secure an impressive 2-1 victory against Bulgaria, while Strakarnir Okkar were held to a 1-1 draw by Estonia at Laugardalsvollur.

Match overview

After a disappointing qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup, where they lost all six of their group matches and scored just one goal, Luxembourg has made a remarkable recovery in recent months.

Despite a narrow defeat to Italy in their opening summer friendly, the Red Lions showed significant improvement, and following a remarkable 1-0 win against Albania, who are ranked thirty places higher in FIFA’s standings, Luxembourg began their latest Nations League campaign with three wins in their last four matches.

Starting the year with a 5-0 aggregate triumph over Malta in the relegation playoff, Luxembourg is again competing in League C of the Nations League this season. After earning a noteworthy comeback win against Bulgaria on the first matchday, Jeff Strasser’s team is currently leading the Group 4 standings.

Facing Iceland in their second encounter, where they emerged victorious 3-1 during their last meeting at the Stade de Luxembourg, the Red Lions will surely be aiming to continue their positive momentum and enhance their record against the Vikings from three years ago.

Despite earning seven points from their six qualifying matches and managing to secure their only draw against European giants France, Iceland narrowly missed out on a World Cup spot for the second time ever.

In second place in Group D before their final qualification match, Strakarnir Okkar knew that a win against Ukraine would secure them a place in the European playoff rounds. However, a 2-0 loss at the Stadion Wojska Polskiego means Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s side will have to wait at least four more years to add to their appearance in the 2018 tournament.

Unfortunately for Iceland, they have struggled to recover from their disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign this year as well, failing to win any of their five friendly matches prior to dropping points against Estonia in their first Nations League fixture, having led at halftime.

As they prepare to face Luxembourg on Tuesday evening, a team against whom they have only lost once in their last seven meetings, the Vikings will be eager to halt their negative streak and secure their first win since November 2025.

Team News

Luxembourg defender Seid Korac is set to miss the entire Nations League campaign after sustaining an ACL injury while playing for Hellas Verona earlier this month and requiring surgery.

Christopher Martins is also sidelined for the Red Lions due to injury, while Danel Sinani’s participation is uncertain after he picked up a knock against Bulgaria.

Mathias Olesen, Tim Hall, Oliver Thrill, and Enzo dos Santos complete the hosts’ injury list, with Eldin Dzogovic brought in as the sole replacement to cover for absentees.

Leandro Barreiro has made a strong start to the season with Benfica, scoring to equalize against Bulgaria; he is one of Luxembourg’s standout players and will surely be a player to watch for Iceland this week.

Elias Rafn Olafsson is expected to be out for several months following surgery for a kidney issue and has been replaced in the Iceland squad by Anton Ari Einarsson.

It remains uncertain if Albert Gudmundsson will be fit enough to play after sustaining an injury against Estonia on Saturday, and Sverrir Ingi Ingason and Gisli Thordarson are both confirmed to be unavailable.

Although FC Twente midfielder Kristian Hlynsson is expected to return soon, he will not be available for Tuesday’s match, and Andri Fannar Baldursson is also likely to miss out due to a muscle injury.

Andri Gudjohnsen, who has scored twice in his previous three matches including the opener in the Estonia fixture, is recognized as one of the biggest goal threats for the visitors alongside Orri Oskarsson.

Luxemburgo probable starting XI:

Moris; Jans, Mahmutovic, Carlson, Bohnert; de Sousa, Barreiro; Thill, Sinani, Dardari; Kadamani

Iceland probable starting XI:

Valdimarsson; Palsson, Thordarson, Gretarsson, Ellertsson; Thorsteinsson, Haraldsson, Johannesson, Thorvaldsson; Gudjohnsen, Oskarsson

Currently sitting atop the Group 4 standings, Luxembourg is optimistic about leveraging their strong form to defeat Iceland and increase their lead at the top this Tuesday evening.

We predict a similar outcome, as the Vikings seek to end their winless streak stretching to eight matches and edge closer to potential relegation.