© Val Wagner - rtl.lu
Jeff Strasser will make his first appearance as Luxembourg’s head coach on Thursday, describing the team’s atmosphere as “good and positive” ahead of their clash with Northern Ireland.
One day before the start of the European Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, new national coach Jeff Strasser faced the press. A debut is always something special, he admitted, but explained that he had prepared for this game as he usually would. Despite the limited preparation time, tasks were approached step by step, and Strasser hopes the work will pay off on the pitch.
The national team's approach will depend heavily on the opponent. After detailed analysis, tactics was designed to deliver the best possible result. Strasser declined to give details on the lineup, confirming only that Christopher Martins will miss the game because of an abductor injury. It is still unclear whether the Spartak Moscow midfielder will also sit out Sunday’s clash with Slovakia.
Positive mood
From the start of preparations, the atmosphere in the team has been "good and positive", said Strasser. Captain Laurent Jans echoed this, stressing that "everyone wants to prove themselves to earn their place on the pitch". The Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) is determined to excite their supporters from the very first game.
Luxembourg’s record against Northern Ireland remains modest: just one win in seven meetings. Jans described the opponents as an uncomfortable team to play against, with a very particular playing style, warning that if the Luxembourg players are not ready from the first second, "you risk being overrun". That has happened before, the captain admitted, and the team is intent on making sure it does not happen again.
No more tickets but available to watch on RTL
Kick-off between Luxembourg and Northern Ireland is set for 8.45pm at the sold-out Stade de Luxembourg, with Latvian referee Andris Treimanis in charge. Fans without a ticket can follow the game live on RTL – on TV, online, and on the radio.
