As the group stage of the World Cup 2026 Qualifying draws to a close, Serbia and Latvia prepare to meet at Dubocica Stadium, concluding their respective campaigns in Group K. While Serbia is assured of finishing third, Latvia faces a disappointing exit from World Cup contention, having secured only five points from seven matches.
Serbia, despite their recent setbacks, aims to build on their future aspirations and shake off the sting of their recent 2-0 loss to England. In this match, new head coach Veljko Paunovic had to navigate the absence of all-time leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic due to injury. The team’s performance at Wembley was marred by poor conditions and a strong English defense, as they were unable to capitalize on their attacking opportunities. Goals from Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze sealed Serbia’s fate, meaning they cannot position themselves in the top two slots needed for a playoff spot.
Nonetheless, the Eagles still have a potential path forward by leveraging their UEFA Nations League ranking to enter playoff contention, provided certain conditions are met. The team is looking to avoid further disappointment after two consecutive home defeats without scoring, including a recent 1-0 loss to Albania.
On the other hand, Latvia’s qualifications have been far less fruitful, with a meager record of one win and two draws leading to their early elimination. Following a goalless draw against North Macedonia in a friendly, the squad has extended their winless streak to eight games. The team remains far behind their competitors, especially in light of England’s dominance in the group.
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Looking ahead to the match, Serbia will likely adjust their lineup due to injury concerns. With Ivan Ilic ruled out, Lazar Samardzic could step in, joining Dusan Vlahovic at the helm of the Eagles’ attack. Their previous encounter saw Serbia triumph 1-0 over Latvia, with Vlahovic scoring the decisive goal.
Latvia faces its own challenges, as they will be without two key defenders—Andrejs Ciganiks and captain Antonijs Cernomordijs—due to suspensions. This could provide opportunities for players like Maksims Tonisevs and Vitalijs Jagodinskis to step into starting roles.
Ultimately, predictions favor a Serbian victory, with expectations of a 2-0 win against a Latvia side that has shown little offensive threat. As both teams prepare to take the field, Serbia will aim to conclude their campaign on a positive note, with hopes to build momentum despite the hurdles faced in this qualifying cycle.
