E. Stankevičius discusses 'Riteriai' lessons, patience for the Lithuanian diaspora, and a potential path to EURO 2028.

2026-08-29 09:00 © lff.lt

The president of the Lithuanian Football Federation (LFF) Edgaras Stankevičius and his entire team are welcoming a particularly active football month. Starting in September, a marathon of matches will begin at the Dariaus and Girėno Stadium, which will host two matches of the Lithuanian men's national team, the LFF Cup final, and for the first time, the women's national team will open the doors of the largest stadium to host the elite Swedish team.

This will be an important stage for the Lithuanian national team, which has only one goal – to win Division D, into which they have fallen after a difficult stretch in Division C, where Kosovo, Romania, and Cyprus left the team without any points. In the second group of the lowest division – resistance from Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan.

The LFF president said about the upcoming battles: "It's very simple – we want to win our group.”

"We want to gift victories to the fans who believe and support us; we also want our players to enjoy victories as often as possible. It's important for us to show ourselves and the fans that Division D is not a level where the Lithuanian national team wants to linger.”

Regarding Division D, the president assured that winning it could open a new path to the European Championship, as happened to Estonia before the 2024 championship. However, the Baltic Cup winners fell to the Polish national team in a decisive qualifying semifinal. The Lithuanian national team, of course, is primarily focusing on itself.

Edgaras Stankevičius also confirmed that Lithuanians in exile, among whom is the talented Divine Mukasa, remain on the LFF's radar, but their situation is still unclear.

The desires of "Kauno Žalgiris” were also inquired about, expressed after the match against "Klaksvik,” where a significant moment in Lithuanian football history occurred, as for the second time a Lithuanian club secured a place in the main stage of a European tournament. At that time, the temporary capital club's coach Željko Sopičius expressed regret over the very short transfer window in Lithuania. Changes will be made from next year.

"Starting from 2027, depending on the needs of the clubs as well as participation in European tournament qualifications or reaching the group stages, the registration windows will change so that the first window will be from February 1 to March 29, and the second from June 15 to August 8,” affirmed the LFF president.

A detailed interview with LFF president Edgaras Stankevičius.

First of all, what is the federation focusing on these days? What current tasks are underway and what lies ahead? As I understand, September and October will be very active months since both the men's and women’s qualifiers will take place, along with the LFF Cup final and four major matches at the stadium?

"September and October will indeed be among the most intense months for us this year. We have two home matches for the men's national team on September 27 against Azerbaijan and a friendly match with Andorra on September 30, a historic match for the women's national team against Sweden on October 9, and the LFF Cup final on October 11. The spectator at the stadium sees 90 minutes of football, but behind that is a lot of work by the whole team that begins well in advance.”

"It’s important to me that a person coming to the stadium receives not only the match experience but also a quality football event, and wants to return here with family, children, or friends. We are especially focusing on the women’s national team matches – this is a historic achievement for them, and we want them to really feel on that evening that they are playing for the people of their country in the largest stadium in Lithuania.”

"At the same time, life in the federation does not stop at the national teams – youth seasons are starting, futsal A league sponsored by TOPsport is approaching, infrastructure and football development projects are taking place in the regions. There is a lot of work, but our team is well acquainted with and manages such a pace.”

"Federation employees and the association actively oversee and contribute to the activities of football leagues. Some of the federation colleagues will go to UEFA headquarters for the organization of the 2028 European Championship for boys under 17, and we are already starting to prepare for this important event in Lithuania.”

"As the federation leader, I actively participate in FIFA and UEFA meetings and visits during the summer and autumn. At the beginning of September, there will be a UEFA Media Committee meeting at our headquarters in Kaunas, which will involve the heads of federations belonging to this committee. This is another international football event in Lithuania.”

Speaking about women’s football, after a very high achievement, the Lithuanian women’s national team drew attention to the small prize sums (only 120 thousand per year, as reported by LRT), which resonated loudly in the press. How has the prize distribution changed since then?

"First of all, I would like to clarify the numbers a bit. The 120 thousand euros is not the prize limit for one year – this is the amount that the women’s national team received for sporting achievements in 2025-2026. During the same period, the men's national team was paid 51 thousand euros for their achievements.”

"But I wouldn’t want to reduce this issue to just a numerical comparison. Our footballers have achieved a historic result for Lithuanian football, so I completely understand their expectations for greater attention, recognition, and growing opportunities. It was important for me that after the discussions raised in the public space, we sat down at the same table to talk and listen to each other.”

"Some changes, such as increased arrival monies, were confirmed earlier. However, we also agreed to reassess the prize distribution system, and bonuses for the upcoming qualifying stage will be determined by the Executive Committee. I believe it is crucial that along with the growing results of our women’s football, the conditions we can offer them also improve.”

Was the decision to play the women’s match Lithuania – Sweden at the Dariaus and Girėno Stadium made before all the fuss about prize distribution for women’s football? Also, what can be commented on about these upcoming matches? How significant is this event for women’s football in Lithuania? Perhaps there were even thoughts or a desire to face an even "bigger opponent,” like England or Norway?

"Yes. We had already decided before the draw that we wanted to play the matches of this stage at the Dariaus and Girėno Stadium, regardless of which opponent we would get.”

"Our footballers earned such a stage by their results and persistent work. Now we have a special opponent – Sweden is currently the 18th ranked team in the FIFA standings, a regular participant in major tournaments, having secured third place in the last two World Cups.”

"Of course, we could have drawn England, Norway, Italy, or the Netherlands, but there’s no point in choosing who is ‘bigger.’ Sweden is elite in world football. For our national team, this will be a huge test, and for Lithuanian football, an opportunity to show that women’s national team matches can become significant football events.”

The LFF Cup final will take place in October, where "Kauno Žalgiris” is likely to be seen as well. This club recently raised a question regarding the rather short transfer window in European context, which is in Lithuania, TOPLYGOJE. LFF is also responsible for this. Has the federation already taken action in this regard, or are actions only planned for the near future? Perhaps there will be changes implemented as early as next summer?

"After the match of ‘Kauno Žalgiris’ against ‘Klaksvik,’ we explained how registration periods are determined and what limits are set by FIFA rules. Currently, the 12 + 4 weeks model is applied: the first registration period lasts 12 weeks – from January to April, and the second 4 weeks in the summer.”

"As every year, before approving the registration periods, the Lithuanian Football Federation inquires about the clubs' opinions. In previous years, clubs agreed to the currently valid model, but starting from 2027, depending on the clubs' needs, as well as participation in European tournament qualifications or reaching the group stages, the registration windows will change so that the first window will be from February 1 to March 29, and the second from June 15 to August 8.”

There is significant growth in Lithuanian club football – interest is higher than ever, serious professionals are joining the clubs, and apart from "Žalgiris,” we can mention the joining of the sports director Karolis Skinkis to "Sūduva.” Vilnius "Žalgiris” has gained a new face, "Kauno Žalgiris” is inviting a serious specialist from Croatia, and clubs from Telšiai, Banga, and Vilnius district, which have their own charm, also bring joy. Results are noticeable in Europe – the miracle of the Vilnius club in Liepkalnis was heard not only in Lithuania but also in Europe, and "Kauno Žalgiris” will finally open the doors to the main stage of the European tournament. The competition in TOPLYGA is also enormous, and intrigue is high. So how pleased are you with the current situation in Lithuanian club football?

"What we are seeing right now in club football makes me very happy. And perhaps the most important thing is not any one specific result or one club, but that we see strong signs of growth in many different places.”

"Clubs are becoming more professional, inviting strong specialists, investing in infrastructure, and competition is increasing. It’s great to see Telšiai’s ‘Džiugas’ or Gargždai’s ‘Banga’ which manage to pose serious challenges to bigger clubs with fewer resources. ‘TransINVEST’ is ambitiously developing infrastructure, and we see very interesting processes in other clubs as well.”

"Not all seasons are equally successful, and that is natural. The most important thing is for clubs to have a foundation, people, and a long-term direction that allows them to recover after a tougher season.”

"The First League is also gratifying. More and more clubs there have clear ambitions, strategies, and are strengthening their organizations. If we want a strong top league, we need to have a strong foundation beneath it.”

Of course, there was concern about the "Riteriai” situation, which ended with the club’s demise and the remaining 9 clubs in the TOPLYGA season. As reported, this situation may have pushed former TOPLYGA president Gintaras Staniulis to resign from his post. What has LFF learned from this situation and how would you summarize it?

"This was a very unpleasant and painful situation. And I feel sorry not only for the fact that nine teams remained in the championship. Behind the club are players, coaches, staff, fans – people for whom such a club collapse has very real consequences.”

"The federation clearly indicated the obligations that the club had to fulfill to continue participating in the championship. They were not fulfilled, which is why a difficult decision had to be made in the end. Allowing the club to continue competing without meeting its obligations would have also been unfair to other clubs.”

"But to say that we did everything perfectly and there is nothing to learn from this would be incorrect. We need to assess how to notice such signals earlier, how to strengthen monitoring of the clubs' financial situations, and how the federation, the league, and the club itself should act in such situations.”

"Nobody wants a repeat of such a case. Therefore, the most important thing is not just to say that we have drawn conclusions, but to turn those conclusions into concrete process changes.”

Is it known what the situation is currently regarding the potential new president of the highest Lithuanian football league?

"We are still in search. The league has expressed a desire to actively seek a possible president, and we are awaiting their proposals. The federation is also looking for a potential candidate; we have a few options that we will present to the clubs, and they will provide their input, and we will find the best solution.”

"Of course, it is very important for us that TOPLYGA has strong leadership and a person with whom we can work constructively.”

Will the LFF Cup final return this year to the Dariaus and Girėno Stadium? Can we say that there is a plan to keep holding this football celebration in the largest stadium in Lithuania for the upcoming years until the National Stadium in the capital is finally built, or will the situation again depend on the finalists, as it was last year?

"The Dariaus and Girėno Stadium is naturally the place where we can organize the biggest football events, so we are very happy that the final is returning here.”

"However, I wouldn’t want Lithuanian football to remain confined to one city. Every year we talk to clubs and municipalities, looking at what infrastructure is emerging in the regions and what events we can bring closer to local communities. This year, the U21 national team played in Tauragė, the U15 girls' Baltic Cup took place in Birštonas, and we also considered the possibility of holding the LFF Cup final in Druskininkai.”

"The emergence of a National Stadium in Vilnius will be extremely important for all of Lithuanian football and will provide another high-level option. I believe that in the future, national team matches and LFF Cup finals will also take place there. But I would like to continue to assess the location of the final each year – depending on the finalists, infrastructure, and where we can create the best football celebration at that time.”

Continuing about the LFF Cup final, is there a special program being prepared for this year’s matches? During the stadium's opening when the final took place, spectators could see numerous performers, and in one year there was even a match of football legends the day before the final at the stadium. What can be expected this year?

"That weekend, Kaunas will definitely be alive with football. On October 9, the Lithuanian women’s national team will play against Sweden at the Dariaus and Girėno Stadium, and on October 11, the LFF Cup final will take place there as well.”

"We are still shaping the program, so I wouldn’t want to reveal specific details prematurely. But it’s very important for us that the final is not just a 90-minute match. We want people to come to the stadium earlier, bring their children, families, friends, and have things to do and remember.”

"When we have such a stadium, we also have the responsibility to utilize its potential and to raise the quality of the football events themselves. I believe that weekend will be a great opportunity for that.”

A topical issue is also the Lithuanian men’s national team. The goals will probably be announced soon, but it is likely that the objective set for the national team this autumn will be just one – to win Division D?

"Yes. It’s very simple – we want to win our group.”

"We want to gift victories to the fans who believe and support us; we also want our players to enjoy victories as often as possible.”

"There is another thing. It is important for us to show ourselves and the fans that Division D is not a level where the Lithuanian national team wants to linger. Last year we saw that we could seriously compete with Poland, the Netherlands, and other high-level opponents. Now it is time to turn that ambition into results.”

In the past, during the Nations League Division D, two teams, North Macedonia and Estonia, received chances to compete in further European Championship qualifying stages due to their triumph, which should, of course, interest the Lithuanian national team as well. The format of the new qualification stage has not been finalized yet, but is it heard that successfully performing in the Nations League Division D could also open unexpected paths for the Lithuanian national team to crucial qualifying stages, should the main qualification not be successful?

"Yes, such a path exists, but it’s important to say that winning Division D, in itself, does not guarantee a place in the EURO 2028 qualification playoffs.”

"First, we have to win our group, and then we will see what additional opportunities that result opens up for us. By winning our Division D group and becoming the highest-rated D league group winner, we can qualify for the EURO 2028 playoffs if there are not enough group winners from Leagues A, B, and C to fill all the playoff spots designated for the Nations League. But as I mentioned, we need to focus on ourselves and aim for the maximum result in our division first.”

In the June international window, we did not see the strongest lineup, but now there is no doubt we will see the best players with the team, barring injuries?

"We have never doubted our players’ desire to represent Lithuania. In June, we didn’t have some players for very objective reasons – injuries, club situations, contract issues.”

"Now the situation is better. Some players already have new clubs and are playing regularly, and Kipras Kažukolovas has returned to the pitch after a long injury.”

"Of course, in football, no one is immune to injuries, but if we can avoid them, we hope to have the strongest possible squad for the September-October window. Important matches are ahead, and we want to go into them with all our best players.”

Speaking about the national team composition and potential reinforcements, many football fans who follow the situation a bit more closely see the "great four” – Airidas Golambeckas, Divine Mukasa, Germanas Valerijus Karabinaitis, and Rokas Pukštas. These are players who could easily represent the national team in the future if they obtain Lithuanian passports. It’s probably a bit unrealistic to expect to see them in the national team soon, but what are the prospects of seeing them in national team jerseys in the future, understanding that Pukštas is close to the US national team, and Mukasa has already visited Kaunas. Perhaps this is a sign? Is there active dialogue with these players and their representatives?

"Our technical department continuously maintains contact with these and other footballers of Lithuanian origin. We have an international scout, Vadimas Tiščenka, and we have accumulated a substantial database of Lithuanian-origin footballers who are growing and playing abroad.”

"But each person's situation is different. Some have Lithuanian citizenship, for others, the issue still needs to be resolved, their ages, career situations, ties to Lithuania, and choices between several national teams differ.”

"It’s essential for me not to pressure a young footballer to make a decision as soon as possible but to maintain a relationship, to show who we are and what future we can offer him in the Lithuanian national team.”

"Divine Mukasa’s visit to Kaunas was precisely part of such dialogue. We want these guys to know – Lithuania sees them, follows their path, and the doors are open for them. But of course, the final decision must be made by the player himself and his family.”

In conclusion, what expectations does the federation set for the upcoming four matches at the stadium mentioned at the beginning of the interview – two men’s national team matches against Andorra and Azerbaijan, a women’s national team match against Sweden, and the LFF Cup final? This includes both attendance numbers and results as well as other surrounding matters.

"There is a simple football saying – the best stadium is a full stadium. But I would like it to be not just full. We want people to feel good, safe, and want to return, and that a child coming to the national team match for the first time asks their parents to come again.”

"Sporting expectations, of course, are also high. From the men’s national team, we expect victories and a fight for first place in the Nations League group. The match for the women’s national team against Sweden will be a tremendous challenge, but at the same time, an opportunity to show one of the strongest teams in the world how much our team has already grown.”

"In the LFF Cup final, we want full stands, a good atmosphere, and matches that people will talk about the next day.”

"If after this autumn we have good sporting results, fuller stadiums, and more people saying ‘I want to come to Lithuanian football again,’ that will be a very good sign for me that we are moving in the right direction.”