Iceland - Estonia

Karl Hein is expected to anchor the Estonia backline as they travel to face Iceland on 26 September 2026 for this UEFA Nations League C group stage opener. The visitors will look to build defensive stability in the absence of the injured Vlasiy Sinyavskiy, relying on the experience of Karol Mets and Maerten Kuusk to stifle the hosts. With a midfield anchored by Martin Miller and Mattias Kaeit, Estonia aims to control the tempo at Laugardalsvoellur and secure a positive start to their campaign.

Iceland enters the match looking to establish dominance on home soil against a familiar opponent. Their history against Estonia has been tightly contested, including a 1-1 draw in a friendly match on 8 January 2023 and a goalless stalemate back on 15 January 2019. With both sides having proven difficult to separate in previous encounters, this matchday 1 clash promises a tactical battle where individual brilliance in the final third will likely prove decisive.