Albert Aleksanjan called up by Latvia and could make his debut against Armenia
- Author: Vahe Hakobyan
- Sportaran
The story surrounding Albert Aleksanjan’s choice of national team appears to be nearing its conclusion. The 20-year-old Norrköping player has received his first call-up to Latvia’s senior national team and could make his debut as early as the match against Armenia. In Latvia’s official squad list, his name is written as Alberts Aleksanjans.
Latvia head coach Paolo Nicolato has included Aleksanjan in the squad for the September-October international camp, during which Latvia will play four UEFA Nations League matches.
It is particularly symbolic that Aleksanyan’s potential debut could take place in Yerevan. In the opening round of Group C2, Latvia will face Armenia away on September 25.
Aleksanjan was eligible to represent three national teams
Sportaran previously reported on the complicated situation surrounding the player’s international future. Aleksanyan was born in Latvia, his father is Armenian and his mother is Latvian, while he has lived in Norway since the age of three. As a result, the player was eligible to represent three countries — Armenia, Latvia and Norway.
Aleksanyan took his first step towards Latvia during the summer. In June 2026, he was called up to the country’s youth team and made two appearances for Latvia U21. The forward has now been included in the senior national team squad for the first time.
A call-up itself does not yet guarantee a debut in an official match, but after appearing for Latvia’s U21 team and accepting a senior call-up, Aleksanyan’s choice in favor of Latvia now appears to be all but decided.
And fate could immediately hand him a highly symbolic debut — against the national team of his father’s homeland.
Another potential debutant — Denniss Cirkins
Latvia’s squad also includes Queens Park Rangers defender Denniss Cirkins, who has yet to make an appearance for the senior national team.
Cirkins was born in Dublin to a family originally from Daugavpils and moved to England as a child. He came through Tottenham’s academy and previously represented England at U16, U17, U18 and U20 levels. The defender first joined the Latvia senior squad back in March, but legal formalities prevented him from taking the field at the time.
Therefore, two notable newcomers in Latvia’s squad could have the opportunity to make their senior international debuts against Armenia.
Interestingly, this is not the first such case in 2026. In the Armenia — Belarus match in March, Armenia-born forward Karen Vardanyan played for the Belarusian national team.
Armenians against Armenia: who has represented other national teams
Latvia squad for the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League
Goalkeepers:
- Rihards Matrevics — RFS
- Nils Toms Puriņš — Auda
- Frenks Dāvids Orols — Riga
Defenders:
- Roberts Savaļnieks — RFS
- Andrejs Cigaņiks — Luzern (Switzerland)
- Raivis Andris Jurkovskis — Riga
- Antonijs Černomordijs — Riga
- Daniels Balodis — Auda
- Deniss Meļņiks — Falkirk (Scotland)
- Maksims Toņiševs — Riga
- Oskars Vientiess — Teplice (Czech Republic)
- Denniss Cirkins — Queens Park Rangers (England)
- Oskars Rubenis — Auda
Midfielders:
- Aleksejs Saveļjevs — Asia Talas (Kyrgyzstan)
- Eduards Emsis — Super Nova
- Eduards Dašķevičs — Auda
- Dmitrijs Zelenkovs — RFS
- Lūkass Vapne — Sogndal (Norway)
- Kristaps Grabovskis — Dila (Georgia)
- Gļebs Žaleiko — Jelgava
- Danila Patijčuks — Liepāja
- Markuss Strods — Bohemian (Ireland)
Forwards:
- Jānis Ikaunieks — RFS
- Vladislavs Gutkovskis — Arka (Poland)
- Roberts Uldriķis — Heerenveen (Netherlands)
- Alberts Aleksanjans — Norrköping (Sweden)
After the match against Armenia, Latvia will host Cyprus on September 28, play Montenegro at home on October 2, and then face Cyprus away on October 5.
The Armenia — Latvia match will take place on September 25 in Yerevan at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.
Armenia squad analysis: formation options, the striker problem and a possible starting XI