(L-R) Daniel Zirbes and Cristina Correia, head coaches of Luxembourg’s women’s national team; Marc Diederich, FLF Jurist;
Credit: Ievgenii Karanov, Chronicle.lu
On Friday 22 May 2026, during a press conference at the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) headquarters in Mondercange, Luxembourg women’s national football team head coaches Cristina Correia and Daniel Zirbes announced the squad selection for the upcoming UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers 2027 double-header against Belgium.
During the June international window, the Rout Léiwinnen (Red Lionesses) will first travel to Leuven to face Belgium at Den Dreef Stadium on Friday 5 June 2026. Luxembourg will then host Belgium at the Stade de la Frontière in Esch-sur-Alzette on Tuesday 9 June 2026.
The squad selected by Cristina Correia and Daniel Zirbes includes goalkeepers Emma Goetz (FK Austria Wien, Austria), Joy Jung (Swift Hesperange), Lisi Oberweis (FC Mamer 32) and Lucie Schlimé (SC Sand, Germany).
In defence, the selected players are Lena Alves (Swift Hesperange), Ana Barbosa (Racing FC Union Luxembourg), Andreia Faria (Swift Hesperange), Liane Freymann (SV Deutz 05, Germany), Emma Kremer (Vorwärts Spoho 98, Germany), Rita Leite (FC Tirsense, Portugal), Joana Lourenço (Young Boys Diekirch), Andreia Machado (Racing FC Union Luxembourg) and Leticia Mateus (Jeunesse Junglinster).
Midfield options include Carolina Barbosa de Sousa (FC Kehlen), Marta Estevez (Racing FC Union Luxembourg), Gioia Fiorucci (UN Käerjeng 97), Edina Kocan (Racing FC Union Luxembourg), Catarina Lavinas (FC Famalicão, Portugal), Laura Miller (1. FC Nürnberg, Germany), Anna Miny (TuS Issel, Germany) and Charlotte Schmit (Sporting CP, Portugal).
In attack, Cristina Correia and Daniel Zirbes have selected Anouchka Besch (Jeunesse Junglinster), Hannah Dietrich (1. FC Saarbrücken, Germany), Kimberley Dos Santos (1. FC Saarbrücken, Germany), Charlie Jorge (Jeunesse Junglinster) and Amy Thompson (FC Differdange 03).
The coaching staff also confirmed several changes compared to the April double-header against Israel. Amy Thompson returned to the squad following injury, despite previously announcing plans to retire from international football after the current campaign. Andreia Machado and Rita Leite also returned after recovering from injuries, while Edina Kocan rejoined the squad after previously missing out due to professional commitments.
Several players were unavailable because of school or university examinations, including Amal Cherkane, Aina Fernandez-Berenguer, Silvia Conte and Barbara Serra, while Leila Schmit missed out for personal reasons. Rachel Kirps was absent due to club commitments with SV Elversberg, and forward Caroline Jorge again remained unavailable, after also missing the matches against Scotland and Israel.
Looking ahead to the double-header against Belgium, Daniel Zirbes described the upcoming qualifiers as “a very difficult challenge”, noting Belgium’s international experience and higher FIFA ranking. The coaching staff added that Luxembourg would seek to build on the progress shown during the recent matches against Israel, particularly in terms of tactical organisation and defensive stability.
Luxembourg currently sits bottom of Group B4 without a point after four matches, while Belgium and Scotland lead the group on eight points each, with Scotland ahead on goal difference.
