UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Developing football in Luxembourg

Monday, July 9, 2018

Members

Efforts are being made to cement the already solid football foundations in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg look to the future
Luxembourg look to the future ©AFP/Getty Images

Overview

Building on the successes of the national youth academy, first launched in 2000/01, is a major strategic goal for the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF). Improving the standards of its senior sides is quite a challenge in a nation of just over 600,000 inhabitants, but Luxembourg has a demonstrable passion for the game, with over 100 clubs and more than 45,000 registered players.

The men’s national team rose up the FIFA rankings from 142nd in 2001 to as high as 83rd in 2017, and players from the Grand Duchy are thriving abroad, playing professionally in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and even the United States. Ensuring that there are similar opportunities for future generations is an important part of the FLF's work.

The FLF is also working to ensure that their female players get the chance to play at a high level. A senior national team has been playing games since 2006, but efforts are being made to form teams in under-age categories, with Luxembourg's Under-17 women's side making their debut in UEFA competition in 2021.

"I am convinced that with our know-how, passion and diligence, we will take our ambitious goals to new heights, achieve many things and transform hitherto untapped potential into future successes."

Paul Philipp, FLF president

UEFA support

UEFA continues to support the FLF's work, as the association strives to improve its footballing infrastructure. In the past, UEFA HatTrick funding helped to supply equipment for youth development and enhance opportunities for young players, as well as to institute a national football day and a fair play trophy while, more recently, the focus has been on improving facilities at the national training centre in Mondercange, with current projects including laying a new air dome, new artificial pitches and renovating the floodlight system to provide all the FLF national teams with the best possible conditions for training.

Timeline

Association history

1906 Luxembourg's first club, CS Fola (Football and Lawntennis Club), is founded on 9 December. 1908 The Luxembourg Football Federation is formed; it oversees 13 club teams in its first year. 1910 In the same year that the FLF becomes a member of FIFA, Racing Club Luxembourg – now Racing FC Union Lëtzebuerg – win the first league title in the Grand Duchy. 1922 The Luxembourg Cup is established, with Racing Club – 2-0 victors over AS Jeunesse Esch – again the first winners. 1951 In September, the FLF acquires its own premises which are to remain its home until February 2002. 1954 The FLF joins the newly formed European governing body UEFA. Two years later, CA Spora Luxembourg become the first side to represent the Grand Duchy in the European Champion Clubs' Cup; it takes a replay on neutral territory for Borussia Dortmund to eliminate them. 2005 The FLF relocates in June to Mondercange in the south of the country; their new base has been home to the federation’s centre of excellence for young players since 2000. 2021 The new Stade de Luxembourg opens in July, replacing the Stade Josy Barthel as the national team’s home. Luxembourg beat Azerbaijan 2-1 in their opening match at their new home on 1 September. Present day

National team history

1911 The national team plays its first official game on 29 October, losing 4-1 to France. That defeat is avenged on 8 February 1914, when Luxembourg beat their neighbours 5-4. 1920 Luxembourg compete in the Olympic football tournament in Antwerp, their campaign concluding with a 3-0 loss to the Netherlands. 1964 Luxembourg come within sight of the four-team UEFA European Championship, eliminating the Netherlands in the round of 16 and just missing out on the semi-finals: the team draws home and away with Denmark in their quarter-final – 5-5 on aggregate – but lose 1-0 in a replay held in on neutral territory in Amsterdam. 2006 Luxembourg’s women make their competitive debut in qualifying for UEFA Women’s EURO 2009; they lose 4-0 to Slovakia on their debut, but earn a 4-2 win against Malta and a 1-1 draw against Lithuania before the end of the year. 2010 Luc Holtz takes charge of the men’s national team; impressive results under his leadership include a 1-1 friendly draw with Italy in 2014, a 0-0 draw with France in 2017, and a 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in 2021. Present day

President

Paul Philipp

Nationality: Luxembourgeois
Date of birth: 21 October 1950
Association president since: 2004

Paul Philipp
Paul Philipp©Albert Krier

General secretary

Joël Wolff

Nationality: Luxembourgeois
Date of birth: 31 July 1961
General secretary since: 1990

Joël Wolff
Joël Wolff©FLF

Luxembourg Football Federation website

© 1998-2024 UEFA. All rights reserved. Last updated: Monday, September 3, 2018