Presidents from the football associations of Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden met in Helsinki over the last days for a gathering of the Nordic and Baltic football cooperation. The Faroe Islands, unfortunately, were unable to attend this time.

The meeting provided an opportunity for an open exchange of experiences and discussions on the current state of football in each country. The presidents also shared views on a range of international matters and ongoing developments within European and global football.

Denmark and Sweden provided an update on their joint bid for UEFA Women’s EURO 2029.

While the Nordic and Baltic countries share many similarities, the discussions also highlighted important differences. Areas where the associations can continue to learn from each other.

“Our collaboration is based on mutual respect and the desire to share experiences that can strengthen football across our region,” said Thorvaldur Örlygsson, President of the Football Association of Iceland and current Chair of the Nordic Football Cooperation. “We have a lot in common, but we also approach certain issues differently and that diversity is important for the continuing development of football across countries.”

The presidents underlined that the cooperation is not about acting as a voting bloc within organisations such as UEFA or FIFA. Each association continues to make independent decisions in line with its own perspectives, priorities, and national interests. The shared dialogue serves to promote understanding, coordination, and constructive engagement for the benefit of football in Northern Europe.

The Nordic and Baltic football cooperation provides a platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing among neighboring associations, aiming to promote the development of football at all levels across the region.