Denmark national football team

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The Denmark national football team (Template:Langx or herrelandsholdet) represents Denmark and Greenland in men's international football competitions. It is controlled by the Danish Football Association (DBU), the governing body for the football clubs which are organised under DBU. Denmark's home stadium is Parken Stadium in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen.

Denmark were winners of the unofficial 1906 Intercalated Games football competition and silver medalists at the 1908 and 1912 Olympics. However, as amateurs who prohibited their internationals from becoming professionals at foreign clubs, Denmark did not qualify for the FIFA World Cup until 1986, although they won another Olympic silver in 1960.

Since the 1980s and the "Danish Dynamite" team, Denmark has remained competitive in international tournaments. Triumph in the 1992 European Championship in Sweden marked the team's most prominent victory, defeating defending champions the Netherlands in the semi-final and world champions Germany in the final. They also won the 1995 King Fahd Cup, defeating Argentina in the final. Their best World Cup result was achieved in 1998, where they narrowly lost 3–2 in a quarter-final against Brazil. Denmark also made the round of 16 in 1986, 2002 and 2018. Their most prominent result in recent history was at Euro 2020, where the team lost in the semi-final against England after extra time.

Teams

Template:Cite section Apart from the men's senior A-level team, Denmark competes with a women's national team, and has teams at various youth levels for both men and women, most prominently the under-21 national team. Historically, the A-level team competed in the Olympics until and including the 1988 tournament, whereafter Olympic games count as under-21 national games. In addition to the A-level team and youth teams, Denmark also has a special league national team named Ligalandsholdet, with the best Danish footballers from the Nordic leagues. The Ligalandsholdet was created in January 1983, and has played unofficial games for the national team during the winter break of the Nordic leagues every year since, save for 2005 and 2011. Sometimes the media also refer to Ligalandsholdet as Denmark's B-team, as the best Danish footballers selected for the A-team often play in leagues outside of the Nordic countries. As such, the national team coach has on several occasions outlined the purpose of having unofficial matches played by Ligalandsholdet as an opportunity of testing new potential upcoming Danish players for the A-team.

History

Amateur years

The Danish team that won their first silver medal at the 1908 Summer Olympics. Harald Bohr is in the top row, 2nd from left.
Danish team, winning the silver medals at the 1912 Olympics

On 12 April 1896, Denmark XI defeated Podilatikos Syllogos Athinon, either 9–0 or 15–0, at the Neo Phaliron Velodrome in Athens in a demonstration game during the 1896 Olympic Games.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 18 April 1897, a game was played in Hamburg when a selection team from the Danish Football Association defeated a selection team from the Hamburg-Altona Football Association, 5–0 in the presence of 5,000 spectators.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The first three editions of the Olympic football event in 1900–1906 had an unofficial status, as the event was not yet open for national football teams to compete, and only had limited participation of three or four club teams from a few nations. Denmark had no club team invited in the 1900 Olympics and the 1904 Olympics, but then received a special invitation for the unofficial 1906 Olympics, to compete against one Greek club team (Athens) and two club teams from the Ottoman Empire (Smyrna and Thessaloniki). The team to represent Denmark was compiled of players from the Copenhagen Football Association (KBU), and they won the event, and thereby an unofficial gold medal. Two years later, in the first official football tournament at the 1908 Olympics, Denmark won a silver medal. At the next Olympics, in 1912, the team again won a silver medal, which was followed by a golden era from July 1912 until August 1920, with Denmark ranked most of the time as number one in the world by the Elo ranking. The first official national football match was played on 19 October 1908 during the Olympic Games in London. Denmark beat France's second team 9–0 in the tournament's quarterfinals.

Although Denmark figured fairly prominently in the pre-FIFA World Cup era, international success would elude them for years from the first World Cup in 1930 and forward. Despite the country's ability to produce outstanding football talents, the Danish Football Union (DBU) only had the ambition (or economy) to send the national team to play friendly matches and in the regional tournament, the Nordic Championship, from October 1920 until June 1948. When DBU opted to set their sights higher, they allowed the national team to start contesting the Olympics again, promptly resulting in a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympics. After, the team only reached the quarter-final at the 1952 Olympics, with the DBU choosing not to contest the next 1956 Olympics. As football remained an amateur past-time, most of the best Danish footballers moved abroad to make a living,<ref name="history">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and due to DBU enforcing the rule to bar all professionals from the national team, it started to become difficult to assemble a highly competitive team.

Denmark experienced their next revival at the 1960 Olympics with a third set of Olympic silver medals. This was followed by another notable performance at the 1964 European Nations' Cup, where Denmark impressively finished in fourth place. However, this finish was considered by many as being more the result of a comparatively easy draw rather than a result of a well-playing team. In order for Denmark to qualify for the semi-final, they only had to defeat Malta, Albania and Luxembourg. In the semi-final, Denmark fell 3–0 to the Soviet Union, then lost the third-place match to Hungary.

The strict rule of only allowing amateurism at the national team was finally abolished by the DBU in May 1971, as they had acknowledged this change was needed in order to build a highly competitive team. In February 1978, when the DBU also decided to allow professional football to be introduced in the Danish leagues, the way was at the same time paved for the national team to sign its first sponsorship with the well-known Danish brewery Carlsberg. The new sponsorship enabled the DBU to hire the German Sepp Piontek in July 1979 as the first full-time professional coach of the national team. The full transition of the national team from amateurism to professionalism had now been accomplished, and indeed, this would soon lead to a vast improvement in the performances of the team.<ref name="history"/>

According to Rob Smyth and Lars Eriksen, authors of a book on the "Danish Dynamite" team that would soon emerge: Template:Cquote

Danish Dynamite (1980–1990)

In the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification, Denmark finished with four wins and four losses, including a 3–1 win against the eventual World Cup champions Italy, but Denmark failed to qualify for the final tournament. Qualification for UEFA Euro 1984 saw Denmark defeat England at Wembley Stadium when Allan Simonsen converted a penalty kick for a 1–0 win. Denmark qualified for their first international tournament since 1964, and the team was dubbed "Danish Dynamite" in a competition for the official Danish Euro 1984 song.<ref name="history" /> Denmark's participation ended in the semi-final when the team lost on penalties to Spain, most remembered for Preben Elkjær's penalty miss, his shorts torn apart. Following the strong performance at the finals, the name "Danish Dynamite" became a mainstay for the following decade of the Denmark national team under head coach Sepp Piontek.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Denmark made their first World Cup appearance in the 1986 World Cup, and with the attacking duo of Michael Laudrup and Preben Elkjær, thrashed Uruguay 6–1. In the second round, Denmark once again faced Spain and once more lost, 5–1, including four goals by Emilio Butragueño. The first Spanish goal was caused by a miss-timed backpass by Jesper Olsen to Butragueño, an unfortunate action subsequently coined as "a real Jesper Olsen" ("en rigtig Jesper Olsen"). The phrase would live on for 13 years, and was repeated by the Danish TV commentators in 1999, when an identical backpass was carried out by Jesper Grønkjær to Filippo Inzaghi in Grønkjær's debut for the national team.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Denmark qualified for Euro 1988, and nearly made the 1988 Olympics. Richard Møller Nielsen guided Denmark to a secured spot for the final tournament – ahead of West Germany, but following the discovery that Dane Per Frimann was not eligible for the team's 2–0 win over Poland, Denmark was penalised, and subsequently failed to qualify. At Euro 1988, Denmark's participation ended in early defeat after Denmark lost all the group games to Spain 3–2, West Germany 2–0 and Italy 2–0. They then failed to qualify for the 1990 World Cup; Sepp Piontek resigned as head coach of the national team in April 1990, where he was replaced by Richard Møller Nielsen.

The Møller Nielsen fairytale: 1992 European Championship

Denmark began Euro 1992 qualification with a home victory against the Faroe Islands, and followed up with an away draw against Northern Ireland and a 2–0 home loss against Yugoslavia. Brothers Michael Laudrup and Brian Laudrup opted to quit the national team in November 1990. When Nielsen subsequently decided to dismiss quality players such as Jan Mølby and Jan Heintze from the squad due to disciplinary problems, several newspapers began demanding that Nielsen step down as head coach. Despite this, Denmark won the rest of their five matches in the qualification group, including a 2–1 away win against Yugoslavia. This was not enough to qualify, as the team still had to settle for second place in the group, behind Yugoslavia.Template:Citation needed

Due to international sanctions resulting from the Yugoslav wars, UEFA announced on 31 May 1992 – only 10 days before the competition – that Yugoslavia was excluded from the competition and their place given to Denmark, who finished as the second-placed team in its qualifying group and ironically the best runner-up across all groups.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Contrary to popular belief,<ref name="history" /> the team did not enter the tournament completely unprepared, after having rallied home from seaside vacations. The majority of players had been assembled to play a friendly match against the CIS when Denmark officially received Yugoslavia's spot.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Relying heavily on goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and his defense, as well as creative spark Brian Laudrup – having decided to make a comeback for the national team in April 1992 – the Danish team created one of the biggest surprises in the event's history, as they went on to win the European Championship trophy under head coach Nielsen's defensive playing style. Advancing from the group stage ahead of England and France, Denmark defeated the Netherlands – the defending Euro 1988 champions – on penalties in the semi-final. Later, in the final, Denmark won 2–0 win against reigning World Cup champions Germany, ensuring Denmark its first international trophy.

Decline and revival (1993–2000)

In August 1993, Michael Laudrup decided to settle his ongoing dispute with Richard Møller Nielsen about the team tactics and made a comeback to the national team. However, the following years Denmark saw mixed results, as they first failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup, but then won the 1995 Confederations Cup (then known as King Fahd Cup), beating Copa América champions Argentina 2–0 in the final. As defending champions at Euro 1996, Denmark disappointed with a lackluster performance after an early elimination in the group stage. The team had achieved a respectable win against Turkey, a draw against Portugal and only a defeat to Croatia.

Nielsen's replacement was Swede Bo "Bosse" Johansson, who gave the team a more offensive strategy, and the 1998 World Cup saw the revival of the Danish team, starring both Laudrup brothers in their last international campaign. After defeating Saudi Arabia 1–0, drawing with South Africa and losing 2–1 to eventual champions France, Denmark defeated Nigeria 4–1 in the round of 16. They exited in the quarterfinals with a 3–2 loss to Brazil.

Without the Laudrup brothers, Denmark qualified for Euro 2000, only to lose all three matches in the group stage.

The Olsen Gang (2000–2015)

FIFA World Rankings for Denmark, August 1993 – July 2009

Morten Olsen was named the new manager for Denmark in 2000 and the team was quickly dubbed the "Olsen Gang", a reference to the series of Danish movies based around the main character Egon Olsen and his genius (criminal) plans. The nickname was also used for the Danish team as an alternative to the more commonly used "Danish Dynamite", already in those days when Olsen played as a captain. Denmark's tactics shifted from the preferred 4–4–2 formation practised by Bo Johansson to an even more attacking style with an emphasis on the wingers available at the time, namely Jesper Grønkjær and Dennis Rommedahl.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Accordingly, Olsen's preferred formation was either a 4–3–3 or a 4–2–3–1.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Olsen even possessed an outspoken opposition to the 4–4–2 system, as he threatened to leave his position as head coach in the event he was asked to deploy Denmark in that formation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> To support the development of players for the new tactical 4–3–3 system, all national youth teams also changed their formation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Another change Olsen brought to the national team was to stress the importance of only using fit players who had been granted regular playing time at their club. However, at times he was forced to compromise from this principle, as the pool of players available in the relatively small nation did not always provide him viable substitute options.

Denmark qualified both for the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, but despite impressive results in the group stage in both tournaments, especially the 2–0 win against reigning World Cup winners France in 2002, Denmark failed to advance any further. At the 2002 World Cup, Denmark was defeated by England in the round of 16, and at Euro 2004, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals against the Czech Republic.

For the 2006 World Cup qualification, Denmark was paired with 2002 semi-finalists Turkey and eventual Euro 2004 champions Greece. Following a poor start to qualification, Denmark was trailing both Turkey and Ukraine. After failing to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, Morten Olsen considered leaving the job, having received several offers from club teams, but decided to stay and extended his contract until after the 2010 World Cup.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Denmark failed to qualify for Euro 2008, but qualified for the 2010 World Cup by winning their qualifying group, earning two wins against Sweden and four points against Portugal. Olsen's contract was extended for two more years, until Euro 2012.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At the 2010 World Cup, Denmark was grouped with Japan, Cameroon and the Netherlands. Denmark lost the first match 2–0 to the Netherlands, but then scored a 2–1 victory against Cameroon. The game against Japan, however ended with a 3–1 defeat.

In qualification for Euro 2012, Denmark was once again grouped with Portugal; Denmark secured first place in the group, qualifying directly for the final tournament. Out of eight qualifying matches, Denmark won six, drew one and lost one, resulting Olsen's contract to be extended until after the 2014 World Cup.

At Euro 2012, Denmark were drawn in the proclaimed "group of death", Group B, alongside Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal. After defeating the Netherlands 1–0, they lost 3–2 to Portugal, requiring a win against Germany to advance in the tournament. Despite Michael Krohn-Dehli's equaliser, Denmark lost 2–1 to Germany, and with Portugal defeating the Netherlands 2–1, Denmark was eliminated from the tournament after finishing third in Group B.

Denmark failed to qualify for the next two tournaments under Olsen. They finished second in their 2014 World Cup qualifying group but failed to achieve a play-off berth as they were the worst UEFA group runners-up after removing results against the last-place teams.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Euro 2016 qualifying they finished third in their group, behind Albania and eventual winners Portugal, but lost to Sweden in the play-offs.

When measuring the performance of the national team by winning share and earned points, Olsen's reign of the Denmark national team from July 2000 until January 2012 had at the time been the second-most successful in the era of full-time professional coaches, which began in July 1979. As of January 2012, Olsen had a winning share of 52.8%, and with three points for a victory and one for a draw, an average of 1.84 points per match.<ref name="MO games">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In comparison, Richard Møller Nielsen still had the best record among the professional coaches of the national team, with a 54.8% winning share and an average of 1.89 points per game.<ref name="RMN games">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hareide era: 2016–2020

New coach Åge Hareide presided over the Danish campaign during the qualification stages.<ref name="Guardian">Template:Cite news</ref> Denmark, ranked number 24 in the FIFA World Rankings at the time of the draw, were drawn into Group E, alongside Poland, Montenegro, Romania, Armenia, and Kazakhstan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite suffering early defeats to Poland and Montenegro,<ref name="ESPN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Guardian2">Template:Cite news</ref> the Danes rallied, and secured second place in the group, and a berth in the play-offs, with a 1–0 away to Montenegro.<ref name="Reuters1">Template:Cite news</ref> Denmark were rewarded for their second-place finish with a play-off against the Republic of Ireland.<ref name="UEFA1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Denmark secured qualification with a 5–1 win at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which included a hat-trick by Christian Eriksen, who added to his tally of eight goals in qualification.<ref name="RTÉ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Denmark were allocated into Pot 3 in advance of the draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.<ref name="FIFA2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They were drawn into Group C, alongside Australia, Peru, and France.<ref name="FIFA3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their campaign in Russia began in the Mordovia Arena, Saransk, against Peru. A Yussuf Poulsen goal in the second half secured three points for the Danes.<ref name="Peru">Template:Cite news</ref> However, they struggled against Australia in their second tie, as Christian Eriksen's early goal was cancelled out by a VAR-awarded penalty, converted by Mile Jedinak, in a game that ended 1–1.<ref name="Jedinak">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Denmark secured qualification in their final group game, playing out the only goalless draw in the entire tournament,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in the Luzhniki Stadium against France; a result which saw both teams progress.<ref name="0-0">Template:Cite news</ref>

Denmark faced Croatia in the round of 16, with the Croats topping Group D with three wins.<ref name="Irish Times">Template:Cite news</ref> Mathias Jørgensen scored within the first minute of the game to give Denmark the lead, but Mario Mandzukic equalised only three minutes later, leaving the teams equally perched at one goal apiece.<ref name="Jorgenson">Template:Cite news</ref> The match remained at 1–1 after ninety minutes, necessitating thirty minutes of extra-time, which still failed to separate the teams, as Luka Modrić saw his late penalty saved by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.<ref name="Jorgenson"/> As such, the tie was to be decided with a penalty shoot-out, with Schmeichel and his Croatian counterpart, Danijel Subašić, positioning themselves on the line to face five penalties each.<ref name="Beeb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Croatia advanced, as Subašić saved three shots from Eriksen, Lasse Schöne and Nicolai Jørgensen respectively. Ivan Rakitić scored the decisive penalty to eliminate the Danes,<ref name="Beeb"/> putting an end to their best World Cup campaign since 2002.<ref name="2002!">Template:Cite news</ref>

Following the World Cup, Denmark prepared for participation in the inaugural iteration of the UEFA Nations League, having been drawn in League B against Wales and the Republic of Ireland.<ref name="Nations">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The tournament offers an alternative route of qualification for the European Championship and World Cup,<ref name="RTÉ2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and increases the number of competitive games for international sides, replacing friendlies.<ref name="Telegraph">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Owing to a dispute with the players' union regarding the commercial rights of the players,<ref name="JohnJensen">Template:Cite news</ref> the Danish Football Union named an entirely uncapped squad, consisting of a mixture of futsal players and players from the Danish 2nd Division and the Denmark Series (the third and fourth tier of Danish football respectively), in lieu of the regular side, to face Slovakia in a pre-Nations League friendly, and it was feared that the same squad would be used for the competitive fixture against Wales.<ref name="NationsLeagueWD">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Beeb2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The dispute arose due to the image rights of the players,<ref name="TheLocaldk2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with Hummel having the exclusive right to the manufacture and marketing of Danish kits.<ref name="HummelTime">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The DBU wanted to use individual players, without explicit permissions, in their advertising.<ref name="TheIrishTimes3">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Telegraph2">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Hareide would similarly not be involved, with the side instead falling under the temporary management of John Jensen, with Hasse Kuhn serving as the assistant manager.<ref name="JohnJensen"/> The Danish FA was under a four-year probationary period with UEFA for having forfeited a Women's World Cup qualification game against Sweden in 2017 due to a similar dispute with the women's team,<ref name="Deutsche">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and a further violation could have resulted in Denmark being prohibited from participation in either the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League or the 2020 European Championship.<ref name="GuardianOp">Template:Cite news</ref> After a temporary agreement enabled the return of the regular players, the Danes won their first Nations League fixture 2–0.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hareide managed Denmark during UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying and won four matches, drawing four more. This meant Denmark qualified for the tournament, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the tournament was postponed to 2021, and Hareide's contract expired on 30 June 2020. He was replaced by Kasper Hjulmand.

Hjulmand era: 2020–2024

At UEFA Euro 2020, Denmark were beaten 1–0 by Finland; in a match marked by Christian Eriksen's heart attack in the 42nd minute<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which led to the match being suspended for over two hours. In the following match, Denmark lost their second match to Belgium 2–1, despite initially taking the lead. They avoided elimination in the final round of matches with an impressive 4–1 victory against Russia. They therefore became the first team to qualify for the knockout phase of a European Championship despite two opening defeats. Facing Wales in the round of 16, Denmark won by a large margin (4–0) which earned them a quarter-final tie with the Czech Republic. Denmark won the tie 2–1 to progress to the next round.<ref name="europe1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their European Championship run ended with an extra time defeat to England in the semi-finals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Mikkel Damsgaard opened the scoring with a sublime free-kick on the half-hour mark before England equalised and subsequently won in extra time. Despite the elimination, Denmark's performance was widely praised by the sporting press, in particular for its resilience in overcoming the difficult situation caused by Eriksen's heart condition in the first group match, and for its high-quality teamwork and attacking play.<ref name="europe1"/>

In the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A, they finished second in their group, only one point behind Croatia and winning twice against world champions France.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Denmark also qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, topping Group F in the qualification campaign ahead of Scotland, with nine victories, eight of which without conceding a goal.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the 2022 World Cup, Denmark were drawn again with France, Tunisia and Australia in group D.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They began their campaign with a goalless draw with Tunisia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the second game, Denmark lost 2–1 to France after a brace from Kylian Mbappé.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> With a win essential, Denmark were unable to defeat Australia and were therefore eliminated; finishing bottom of their group.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers were also a tough affair for Denmark, seeded first in the draw but struggling in most of their matches, including a humiliating 3–2 defeat in Kazakhstan after leading 2–0. Nevertheless, the Danish team managed to finish top of their group with 7 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, and qualified for their 10th continental finals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> At UEFA Euro 2024, Denmark qualified as runners-up in their group but were eliminated by Germany in the round of 16.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Following the tournament, Hjulmand resigned on 19 July 2024, and his assistant Morten Wieghorst was named as the new manager on a short-term contract until the end of 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2024–present: Riemer era

Morten Wieghorst never managed the team in a competitive game, since he had to go on sick leave on 26 August 2024, and he was replaced as caretaker by Lars Knudsen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Knudsen oversaw Denmark's first four matches of the UEFA Nations League, beginning with a 2–0 win against Switzerland on 5 September 2024.

On 24 October 2024, former Anderlecht manager Brian Riemer was named new manager of the Danish national football team.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His first match in charge of Denmark saw them fall to a 2–1 loss against Spain during the UEFA Nations League group stage.

On 23 March 2025, Denmark played against Portugal during the Nations League quarter-finals,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which ended in a 5–3 aggregate loss for Denmark after extra time; this was the first time that Denmark had qualified for the knockout stage of the UEFA Nations League.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Team image

Supporters

Crowd watching the Denmark–Sweden Euro 2004 match at the Copenhagen City Hall Square

Apart from the national team, Denmark is famous for its traveling fans, known as roligans. The movement emerged during the 1980s as the declared opposition to hooliganism. The goal of the roligan movement is calm, yet cheerful, support during the matches, as "rolig" means "calm" in the Danish language. The roligans have since developed an image of easy-going nature and rabid support, and are often considered amongst the world's best national team fans, along with the Tartan Army of Scotland. They were collectively given the FIFA FairPlay Award at the 1984 European Championships.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The term "roligan" was invented by the editors of the Danish newspaper B.T. in 1985, and later included in the Danish dictionary.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Just before the 1986 World Cup, the roligan movement was organized in order to support the national team at the tournament.

The reputation of the Danish supporters was sullied by an attack from a fan which occurred in June 2007 in the Euro 2008 qualifying match against Sweden, when an enraged Danish supporter invaded the pitch and tried to attack the referee, following his decision to hand out a red card for Christian Poulsen and a penalty kick to Sweden in the last minute of the match. The attacking fan was stopped by some of the Danish football players on the field before he reached the referee, but due to the episode, the match was immediately cancelled by the referee, with UEFA subsequently deciding to award a 3–0 default defeat to Denmark as punishment.Template:Citation needed

Rivalry

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Denmark's main rival is Sweden. The countries have played against each other 107 times, of which Denmark have won 40, drawn 20 and lost 47. The first match between the teams was an 8–0 Denmark win in May 1913. Denmark won their first five matches against Sweden before their first defeat in October 1916, 4–0.

The first competitive match between the countries was a 1–0 loss for Denmark in the group stage of UEFA Euro 1992. Both teams advanced from the group stage and Denmark went on to win the tournament. In UEFA Euro 2004 the teams drew 2–2 in the last group match, ensuring that both teams advanced at the expense of Italy. In Denmark's home match against Sweden in the qualification for UEFA Euro 2008, the visitors were awarded a 3–0 win after a Danish fan invaded the pitch and attacked the referee. The reverse fixture ended in a goalless draw and Denmark failed to qualify for the final tournament.

In the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Denmark won both matches against Sweden 1–0 and qualified for the World Cup. In the play-off round of the qualification for UEFA Euro 2016, Denmark lost to Sweden 4–3 on aggregate and failed to qualify for the finals. The most recent match between the countries was a 2–1 win for Denmark in June 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kit

Template:Sister project The team kit is produced by Danish company Hummel. It is all-red with white details to reflect the colours of the Danish national flag. Prior to the period of Adidas sponsorship, the kit provider was also Hummel from 1979 to 2004.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kit provider Period
Template:Flagicon Hummel 1979–2004
Template:Flagicon Adidas 2004–2016
Template:Flagicon Hummel 2016–present

Broadcast

All of Denmark's qualification, Nations League and friendly matches are broadcast by TV 2 on television. DR holds the rights on radio transmission.

Home stadium

Template:For

Parken Stadium, with a capacity of 38,065 spectators, located in Copenhagen, and used as official home stadium by the Denmark football team

The first home match for the Denmark national team was a 2–1 friendly win over England on 25 May 1910, taking place with 12,000 spectators at the stadium "KBs baner" (located in the area "Granen", where the Forum Copenhagen later was built).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As the facilities were considered too small, a new stadium in Copenhagen was built with the name Idrætsparken. Since its opening on 25 May 1911, it has hosted all the home matches of the football club KB and most of the home matches of the national team. During the first 82 years of the national team, from October 1908 until November 1990, Denmark played a total number of 254 A-level home matches, of which 232 were played in Idrætsparken. Among all the played home matches in Idrætsparken, Denmark achieved 125 victories (54%), 41 draws (18%) and 66 defeats (28%). The stadium reached a record of 51,600 spectators for the 1–2 game against Sweden in June 1957.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In regards of the first era from 1908 to 1990, only 22 home matches were played at other stadiums than Idrætsparken, of which 11 took place at Aarhus Idrætspark (then known as Atletion) in Aarhus, followed by Aalborg Stadion in Aalborg with six games, and the remaining five matches hosted by four other stadiums. Whenever another stadium than Idrætsparken was used for a home match, it was only for some of the less important friendly games or Olympic qualifiers, while only Idrætsparken was used to host the matches related to bigger tournaments, like the Nordic championship, the European Championship and World Cup. When a major rebuild of Idrætsparken began in December 1990, the subsequent two official Euro 1992 qualification matches were moved to Odense Stadium in Odense.

On 9 September 1992, the rebuilt Idrætsparken, now called Parken and later renamed Telia Parken for sponsorship reasons, became the biggest venue in Denmark with a capacity of 42,358 spectators, and was opened with a friendly 1–2 defeat against Germany. This first match in Parken was viewed by 40,500 spectators,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while the current stadium record of 42,099 spectators was set on 8 October 2005 for a World Cup qualifying match against Greece.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The capacity of the stadium was later reduced to 38,009 seats after the upper part of the D-side was converted from 4,000 extra seats into office and VIP areas in June 2009.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite this decrease in capacity, the stadium is today still the biggest venue in Denmark by far; the next largest venue, Brøndby Stadium, only has a capacity of 26,000 seats. From September 1992 to May 2006, Parken was the sole stadium of all the men's senior national team matches. However, meagre spectator support at some of the friendly matches at Parken, which from 2000 to 2005 attracted an acceptable average of 23,862 per match – but down to 9,598 for the friendly 3–1 win over Israel in April 2002<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> – prompted the DBU to start hosting many of the friendly matches to other stadiums around Denmark. These other stadiums had less spectator capacity than Parken, but just about enough to cover the Danes' somewhat lesser interest for friendly matches.

On 27 May 2006, Parken's 13-year monopoly on national team matches was broken for the first time when Denmark played a friendly match at the Aarhus Idrætspark against upcoming 2006 World Cup participants Paraguay. Tickets to this match were sold out quickly, with almost 19,000 of the 20,227 tickets sold within the first hour of sale,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was support-wise a big success with a total audience of 20,047 spectators.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When the two next friendly matches were played at other new venues, such as a match on 16 August at Fionia Park in Odense against Poland, and on 1 September at Brøndby Stadium against Portugal, the number of spectators dropped. The Poland match attracted only 11,088 spectators,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> while the Portugal match had only 13,186 fans.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In particular, the Portugal match was deemed as a support-wise failure because it featured a higher-ranked opponent, which spectators normally would have a high interest to watch. The main reasons why Brøndby Stadium failed to attract a high number of spectators were generally thought to be a combination of the poor rainy weather and the fact the stadium is located on the outskirts of Copenhagen, and as such does not attract a new demographic audience compared to Parken, due to the travel distances being more or less the same for the majority of the population.

Currently, while most of the friendly matches continue to be played at some of the smaller stadiums in Denmark, it has been decided to continue playing all of the qualifying matches for the European Championships and World Cup only at Parken Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Those friendly matches, which are believed to create a high interest from spectators, will also continue to be played at Parken. For example, the friendly against Germany in August 2010 was played at Parken Stadium due to the high expectation of spectators desiring to watch the match. However, after Denmark's performance at the 2010 World Cup, the friendly only drew 19,071 spectators.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From September 1992 to January 2012, Denmark played a total of 77 A-level matches at Parken Stadium, of which 49 were won, 16 were drawn and 12 lost.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Results and fixtures

Template:See also The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Template:Legend2 Template:Legend2 Template:Legend2 Template:Legend2

2025

Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible Template:Football box collapsible

2026

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Coaching staff

Template:Updated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Coaching staff
Position Name
Head Coach Template:Flagicon Brian Riemer
Assistant Coach Template:Flagicon Daniel Agger
Template:Flagicon Morten Wieghorst
Template:Flagicon Kenneth Weber
Set Piece Coach Template:Flagicon Thor Herdal
Fitness Coach Template:Flagicon Ahron Thode
Goalkeeping Coach Template:Flagicon Kim Christensen
Match Analysts Template:Flagicon Thomas Sørensen
Template:Flagicon Christian Kejser
Medical staff
Position Name
Doctor Template:Flagicon Morten Boesen
Physiotherapists Template:Flagicon Morten Skjoldager
Template:Flagicon Tom Boysen
Template:Flagicon Mikkel Ottesen
Template:Flagicon Benno Gøttsche
Sports Psychologist Template:Flagicon Carsten Hvid

Managers

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The responsibility and job description for the manager of the Denmark national football team has changed throughout the history. From 1908 to 1918, the DBU preferred to assign a manager with the overall responsibility. This was followed by a long era from 1919 to 1956 where either no manager or only a caretaker manager was assigned. When the DBU assigned Arne Sørensen (November 1956 – December 1961) and Poul Petersen (January 1962 –December 1966) as managers for a rolling period of several years, they were given the responsibility to coach the physical training and decide the team tactics before and during each match, but had no influence upon the selection of players for the national squad, which was a job for the specially-appointed selection committee, the UdtagelsesKomitéen.<ref name="Manager history">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

From 1967 to 1969, the management of the team more or less became a sole responsibility for the UdtagelsesKomitéen, following a new approach. In this new approach, the job to select players continued to be the responsibility for the UdtagelsesKomitéen, but the chairman of the committee was now also appointed to be the "tactical manager" of the national team, as the DBU realized the need of having a special tactical manager assigned to get influence upon both the selection of players and the related tactics before and during the game. However, the appointed tactical manager did not have the responsibility to train the squad, as a special physical coach was instead selected for that job. In 1970, the approach with two managers assigned was again abandoned when the DBU realized the need to assign only one manager with the sole responsibility for the squad.<ref name="Manager history"/>

From 1970 to 1979, the job to select players was not yet a sole responsibility of the manager alone, but only a shared responsibility, as this continued to be a matter for the UdtagelsesKomitéen to decide. When a selection of players had to be made, it was decided by a vote in the committee, with the appointed manager being granted an influence of three votes and the four members of the committee being granted one vote each. This special selection procedure continued until July 1979, where it was decided to award the sole responsibility of all manager-related areas to the manager himself, with the assignment of Sepp Piontek as the first full-time professional manager of the national team.<ref name="Manager history"/>

Manager history

This is a complete overview of every national team manager since the first official game in October 1908. From 1911 to 1961, a total of 169 games were played without a designated manager.

Manager From To Record Notes
M W D L Win %
Template:Flagicon Charlie Williams October 1908 December 1910

Template:WDL

No manager January 1911 December 1912

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Axel Andersen Byrval January 1913
January 1917 		December 1915
December 1918

Template:WDL

No manager January 1916
January 1919 		December 1916
July 1920

Template:WDL

Caretaker manager August 1920 August 1920

Template:WDL

No manager September 1920 December 1938

Template:WDL

Caretaker managers January 1939 October 1956

Template:WDL

No manager July 1939 September 1956

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Arne Sørensen November 1956 December 1961

Template:WDL

No manager June 1957 September 1961

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Poul Petersen January 1962 December 1966

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Erik Hansen (tactical coach)
Template:Flagicon Ernst Netuka (training coach) 		January 1967 December 1967

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Erik Hansen
Template:Flagicon Henry From (training coach) 		January 1968 January 1969

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon John Hansen (tactical coach)
Template:Flagicon Henry From (training coach) 		February 1969 December 1969

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Rudi Strittich January 1970 December 1975

Template:WDL

Qualified for the 1972 Summer Olympics — reached Quarter-finals
Template:Flagicon Kurt Nielsen January 1976 June 1979

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Sepp Piontek 1 July 1979 April 1990

Template:WDL

Euro 1984 — Semi-finals
1986 World Cup — Round of 16
Euro 1988 — Group stage
Template:Flagicon Richard Møller Nielsen May 1987
May 1990 		May 1988Template:Efn
June 1996

Template:WDL

Template:Gold1 Euro 1992 — Champions
Template:Gold1 1995 Confederations Cup — Champions
Euro 1996 — Group stage
Template:Flagicon Bo Johansson July 1996 June 2000

Template:WDL

1998 World Cup — Quarter-finals
Euro 2000 — Group stage
Template:Flagicon Morten Olsen July 2000 November 2015

Template:WDL

2002 World Cup — Round of 16
Euro 2004 — Quarter-finals
2010 World Cup — Group stage
Euro 2012 — Group stage
Template:Flagicon Åge Hareide December 2015 31 July 2020

Template:WDL

2018 World Cup — Round of 16
Euro 2020 — Qualified
Template:Flagicon John Jensen (caretaker)Template:Efn 5 September 2018

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Kasper Hjulmand 1 August 2020 19 July 2024

Template:WDL

Euro 2020 — Semi-finals
2022 World Cup — Group stage
Euro 2024 — Round of 16
Template:Flagicon Ebbe Sand (caretaker)Template:Efn 11 November 2020

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Lars Knudsen (caretaker) 26 August 2024 24 October 2024

Template:WDL

Template:Flagicon Brian RiemerTemplate:Efn 24 October 2024

Template:WDL

Total

Template:WDLtot

Template:Notelist

Manager records

Players

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Current squad

The following 24 players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Belarus and Scotland on 15 and 18 November 2025, respectively. On 10 November, William Osula withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Yussuf Poulsen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 12 November, Poulsen withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Mika Biereth.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 17 November, Anders Dreyer withdrew due to illness and Jacob Bruun Larsen was called up as substitute.
Caps and goals correct as of 18 November 2025, following the match against Scotland.

Template:Nat fs g start Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs g player Template:Nat fs end

Recent call-ups

The following players were also called up within the last twelve months. Template:Nat fs r start Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs r player Template:Nat fs break

Notes

Template:Nat fs end

Template:Noteslist

Player history

The players are freely chosen by the national team manager. They are normally assembled from their respective club teams at the Hotel Marienlyst in Elsinore for a week-long training camp preluding the upcoming match. Friendly matches are typically played on a Wednesday evening. World Cup qualifiers are played on both Saturday and Wednesday evenings, while Euro qualifiers now take place on both a Friday and Tuesday evening when playing two matches in a row, or on a Friday/Saturday/Tuesday at rounds with only one match scheduled.<ref name=Program>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Best players of all time

In November 2006, the DBU nominated eight Denmark national team footballers for the "Best Danish Footballer of All Time" award. The nominated players were Morten Olsen, Henning Jensen, Allan Simonsen, Preben Elkjær, Michael Laudrup, Brian Laudrup, Peter Schmeichel and Jon Dahl Tomasson. The winner of the award was decided by a public vote arranged by the broadcasting channel TV2, which ended with Michael Laudrup as a clear winner, with 58% of the votes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hall of Fame

Denmark's Hall of Fame was established in October 2008, as a special award to celebrate the best footballers, teams and coaches; throughout the history of the national team. A jury with six people (representing the newspapers, authors of football books, active players of the national team, TV2, the DBU, and a Hall of Fame member), each year has the job to award one or two new members for the Hall of Fame. The award is handed out at the official Danish Football Awards, which is a yearly television broadcast event – organized by the DBU in November throughout 2008 to 2013 and subsequently moved to a later date in February. Besides receiving the award, all Hall of Fame members are also invited to leave a footprint in bronze, to decorate the entrance hall at "Fodboldens hus" -the DBU headquarters in Brøndby.<ref name="HoF-1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> When the DBU celebrated its 125-year anniversary in May 2014, it decided to make an extraordinary award of nine additional Hall of Fame Members, all playing during the first half of the DBU national team's existence, from 1908 to 1964.<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014">Template:Cite news</ref> Because of financial restraints, the DBU cancelled the planned televised broadcast of the Football Award in February 2015, and for the same reason opted not to award any new Hall of Fame members in this specific year. The DBU expected to return awarding new Hall of Fame members again, when the next broadcast Football Award event was organized in February 2016.<ref name="No HoF-members awarded in 2015">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Hall of Fame members

Sorted by year of last appearance with the national team. Template:Div col

  1. Sophus "Krølben" Nielsen (1908–1919)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  2. Nils Middelboe (1908–1920)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  3. Sophus "Målmand" Hansen (1911–1920)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  4. Carl "Skoma'r" Hansen (1918–1921)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  5. Poul "Tist" Nielsen (1910–1925)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  6. Michael Rohde (1915–1931)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Valdemar Laursen (1918–1934)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Fritz Tarp (1918–1934)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Pauli Jørgensen (1925–1939)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  2. 1948 Summer Olympics team (July–August 1948)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. John Hansen (1948)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Carl Aage Præst (1945–1949)<ref name="HoF-2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Jørgen Leschly Sørensen (1946–1949)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Eigil Nielsen (1940–1951)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  2. Knud Lundberg (1943–1956)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  3. Aage Rou Jensen (1945–1957)<ref name="TV2 Østjylland">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. 1960 Summer Olympics team (August–September 1960)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Harald Nielsen (1959–1960)<ref name="HOF-5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Henry From (1957–1961)<ref name="TV2 Østjylland"/>
  2. Jørgen Olesen (1951–1962)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Poul Pedersen (1953–1964)<ref name="9 extra HoF-members awarded in 2014"/>
  2. Henning Enoksen (1958–1966)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Ole Madsen (1958–1969)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Ulrik le Fevre (1965–1976)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Johnny Hansen (1965–1978)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Henning Jensen (1972–1980)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Per Røntved (1970–1982)<ref name="HoF-8">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Allan Simonsen (1972–1986)<ref name="HoF-2"/>
  2. Frank Arnesen (1977–1987)<ref name="HoF-10">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Preben Elkjær (1977–1988)<ref name="HOF-6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Søren Lerby (1978–1989)<ref name="HoF-10"/>
  2. Danish Dynamite team (1980–1989)Template:Refn
  3. Sepp Piontek (Manager 1979–1990)<ref name="HoF-7">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Jan Mølby (1982–1990)<ref name="HoF-Molby">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Euro 1992 team (June 1992)Template:Refn
  2. Lars Høgh (1983–1995)<ref>Roth, C. (9 December 2021). Lars Høgh er død. TV2.</ref>
  3. Richard Møller Nielsen (Manager 1990–1996)<ref name="HoF-11">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Michael Laudrup (1982–1998)<ref name="HoF-1"/>
  2. Brian Laudrup (1987–1998)<ref name="HoF-9">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Peter Schmeichel (1987–2001)<ref name="HoF-4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Thomas Helveg (1994–2007)<ref name="HoF-Hel">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Jon Dahl Tomasson (1997–2010)<ref name="HoF-Jon">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  1. Morten Olsen (1970–1989, Manager 2000–2015)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Div col end

Payment

Each national team player receives a set amount of money per match, including bonuses for a win and qualification for European Championship and World Cup tournaments. Throughout the years, the prize money has gone from around €1,340 for a match win in 1987 and around €26,800 for the Euro 1988 participation alone, to around €67,000 for the 1998 World Cup, and up to €107,000 for the 2002 World Cup, per player.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Currently, the payments for participation in games outside the big tournaments are regulated by a collective agreement – to be renegotiated after a certain number of years – while all payments for participation of players in a final tournament squad are regulated by the "1998 agreement" between the DBU and Spillerforeningen. The "1998 agreement" stipulates that whenever the national team qualifies for a World Cup or European Championship tournament, the selected players for the final tournament shall receive 50% of the DBU's revenues from the event, and 65% of the DBU's revenues from the sale of merchandise and license agreements. Additionally, the sponsors of the national team also pay a relatively high "qualification bonus" each time the team qualifies for a final tournament. This bonus is shared between the group of players being selected for the final 18-man squad, to one or several of the qualification matches played, with the exact distribution normally decided according to the number of times the player was selected.<ref name="DBU payment">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Each of the 23 selected players for the 2002 World Cup received DKK 498,000 (equal to €66,800) from the event revenues,<ref name="DBU payment" /> plus DKK 122,900 (equal to €16,500) from the sale of merchandise and license agreements, plus an unknown qualification bonus from the sponsors, plus the standard payment from the DBU each time they were selected for the final 18-man squad to a qualification match.<ref name="Player bonus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In comparison, each of the 23 selected players for the 2010 World Cup received DKK 635,000 (equal to €85,100) from the event revenues, plus DKK 98,900 (equal to €13,200) from the sale of merchandise and license agreements, plus a qualification bonus from the sponsors at DKK 2,800,000 (equal to €375,000) to be shared between the players – corresponding to an amount of €2,080 per time the player was selected for the final 18-man squad to a qualification match. In addition to the qualification bonus, the players also received this standard payment from the DBU each time they were selected for the 18-man squad to a qualification match:<ref name="Player bonus" />

  • Starting fee: home games = DKK 1,2 per spectator, away games = DKK 8,290
  • Bonus for a draw: home games = DKK 0, away games = DKK 9,475
  • Bonus for a win: home games = DKK 17,765, away games = DKK 29,600

Based on Denmark's results and number of spectators at home matches,<ref name="MO games" /> the standard qualification match payment to a player selected for all of Denmark's qualification matches equals a total amount of DKK 235,898 (or €31,600) for the six qualification matches in the 2008–09 season, and a total amount of DKK 170,788 (or €22,900) for the four qualification matches in the 2009–10 season. Finally, the players could also add a seasonal payment named "regular bonus" from the sponsors, with a total of DKK 4,350,000 (equal to €583,100) to be shared each season by the squad of 18 players selected for a match, meaning a player who was selected for all national team matches from 1 August to 31 July would receive an additional DKK 241,700 (equal to €32,400) payment in both the 2008–09 and 2009–10 seasons.<ref name="Player bonus" />

The last amount of a players income generated by the national team is the standard payment received for each friendly match:<ref name="Players bonus in 2004-2010">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Starting fee: home games = DKK 1,0 per spectator, away games = DKK 5,000
  • Bonus for a draw: home games = DKK 0, away games = DKK 0
  • Bonus for a win: home games = DKK 10,000, away games = DKK 10,000

Based on Denmark's results and number of spectators at home matches,<ref name="MO games" /> the standard payment to a player selected for all Denmark's friendly matches equals a total amount of DKK 41,426 (or €5,500) for the three friendly matches in the 2008–09 season, and a total amount of DKK 88,773 (or €11,900) for the seven friendly matches in the 2009–10 season.Template:Fact

When all these payments are added together for a player, under the assumption a player was selected for all matches in each season as well as the final 2010 World Cup squad, he would have received a total payment from the DBU of €69,500 in the 2008–09 season and a total payment from the DBU of €186,300 in the 2009–10 season.Template:Fact

Player records

Template:See also Template:Updated<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Players listed in bold are still active with Denmark.

Most appearances

Christian Eriksen is Denmark's most capped player with 147 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Position Period
1 Christian Eriksen 147 46 MF 2010–present
2 Simon Kjær 132 5 DF 2009–2024
3 Peter Schmeichel 129 1 GK 1987–2001
4 Dennis Rommedahl 126 21 MF 2000–2013
5 Kasper Schmeichel 120 0 GK 2013–present
6 Jon Dahl Tomasson 112 52 FW 1997–2010
7 Thomas Helveg 108 2 DF 1994–2007
8 Michael Laudrup 104 37 MF/FW 1982–1998
9 Martin Jørgensen 102 12 MF 1998–2011
Morten Olsen 102 4 DF 1970–1989

Top goalscorers

Template:Multiple image

Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period
1 Poul Nielsen (list) 52 38 {{#expr:52/38 round 2}} 1910–1925
Jon Dahl Tomasson 52 112 {{#expr:52/112 round 2}} 1997–2010
3 Christian Eriksen 46 147 {{#expr:46/147 round 2}} Template:Nowrap
4 Pauli Jørgensen 44 47 {{#expr:44/47 round 2}} 1925–1939
5 Ole Madsen 42 50 {{#expr:42/50 round 2}} 1958–1969
6 Preben Elkjær 38 69 {{#expr:38/69 round 2}} 1977–1988
7 Michael Laudrup 37 104 {{#expr:37/104 round 2}} 1982–1998
8 Nicklas Bendtner 30 81 {{#expr:30/81 round 2}} 2006–2018
9 Henning Enoksen 29 54 {{#expr:29/54 round 2}} 1958–1966
10 Michael Rohde 22 40 {{#expr:22/40 round 2}} 1915–1931
Ebbe Sand 22 66 {{#expr:22/66 round 2}} 1998–2004

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Squad Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip
Template:Flagicon 1930 Did not enter Declined invitation
Template:Flagicon 1934 Did not enter
Template:Flagicon 1938
Template:Flagicon 1950
Template:Flagicon 1954
Template:Flagicon 1958 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 4 13
Template:Flagicon 1962 Did not enter Did not enter
Template:Flagicon 1966 Did not qualify 6 1 1 4 7 18
Template:Flagicon 1970 6 2 1 3 6 10
Template:Flagicon 1974 4 0 1 3 2 13
Template:Flagicon 1978 6 2 0 4 14 12
Template:Flagicon 1982 8 4 0 4 14 11
Template:Flagicon 1986 Round of 16 9th 4 3 0 1 10 6 Squad 8 5 1 2 17 6
Template:Flagicon 1990 Did not qualify 6 3 2 1 15 6
Template:Flagicon 1994 12 7 4 1 15 2
Template:Flagicon 1998 Quarter-finals 8th 5 2 1 2 9 7 Squad 8 5 2 1 14 6
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2002 Round of 16 10th 4 2 1 1 5 5 Squad 10 6 4 0 22 6
Template:Flagicon 2006 Did not qualify 12 6 4 2 24 12
Template:Flagicon 2010 Group stage 24th 3 1 0 2 3 6 Squad 10 6 3 1 16 5
Template:Flagicon 2014 Did not qualify 10 4 4 2 17 12
Template:Flagicon 2018 Round of 16 11th 4 1 3 0 3 2 Squad 12 7 3 2 25 9
Template:Flagicon 2022 Group stage 28th 3 0 1 2 1 3 Squad 10 9 0 1 30 3
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2026 Qualification in progress 6 3 2 1 16 7
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2030 To be determined To be determined
Template:Flagicon 2034
Total Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip 23 9 6 8 31 29 — 138 70 32 36 258 151
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

UEFA European Championship

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UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result Position Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Squad Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip
Template:Flagicon 1960 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 7
Template:Flagicon 1964 Fourth place 4th 2 0 0 2 1 6 Squad 7 4 2 1 19 8
Template:Flagicon 1968 Did not qualify 6 1 1 4 6 16
Template:Flagicon 1972 6 1 0 5 2 11
Template:Flagicon 1976 6 0 1 5 3 14
Template:Flagicon 1980 8 1 2 5 13 17
Template:Flagicon 1984 Semi-finals 3rd 4 2 1 1 9 4 Squad 8 6 1 1 17 5
Template:Flagicon 1988 Group stage 7th 3 0 0 3 2 7 Squad 6 3 2 1 4 2
Template:Flagicon 1992 Champions 1st 5 2 2 1 6 4 Squad 8 6 1 1 18 7
Template:Flagicon 1996 Group stage 9th 3 1 1 1 4 4 Squad 10 6 3 1 19 9
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2000 Group stage 16th 3 0 0 3 0 8 Squad 10 6 2 2 19 8
Template:Flagicon 2004 Quarter-finals 8th 4 1 2 1 4 5 Squad 8 4 3 1 15 9
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2008 Did not qualify 12 6 2 4 21 11
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2012 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 4 5 Squad 8 6 1 1 15 6
Template:Flagicon 2016 Did not qualify 10 3 4 3 11 9
Template:Flagicon 2020 Semi-finals 3rd 6 3 0 3 12 7 Squad 8 4 4 0 23 6
Template:Flagicon 2024 Round of 16 16th 4 0 3 1 2 4 Squad 10 7 1 2 19 10
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2028 To be determined To be determined
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2032
Total 1 Title 10/17 37 10 9 18 44 54 — 133 64 31 38 227 155

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Round Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip
2018–19 B 4 Group stage 4 2 2 0 4 1 Template:Rise 15th
2020–21 A 2 Group stage 6 3 1 2 8 7 Template:Same position 7th
2022–23 A 1 Group stage 6 4 0 2 9 5 Template:Same position 5th
2024–25 A 4 Quarter-finals 8 3 2 3 10 10 Template:Same position 7th
Total Quarter-finals 24 12 5 7 31 23 5th

CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions

CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record
Year Result Position Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip* Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip
Template:Flagicon 1985 Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon 1993 Runners-up 2nd 1 0 1 0 1 1
Template:Flagicon 2022 Did not qualify
Total Runners-up 1/3 1 0 1 0 1 1
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Result Position Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip* Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Squad
Template:Flagicon 1992 Did not enter<ref>As UEFA Euro 1992 Champions</ref>
Template:Flagicon 1995 Champions 1st 3 2 1 0 5 1 Squad
Template:Flagicon 1997 Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon 1999
Template:Flagicon Template:Flagicon 2001
Template:Flagicon 2003
Template:Flagicon 2005
Template:Flagicon 2009
Template:Flagicon 2013
Template:Flagicon 2017
Total 1 Title 1/10 3 2 1 0 5 1 —

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
Year Result Position Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Squad
Template:Flagicon Paris 1900 Only club teams participated
Template:Flagicon St. Louis 1904
Template:Flagicon London 1908 Silver medal 2nd 3 2 0 1 26 3 Squad
Template:Flagicon Stockholm 1912 Silver medal 2nd 3 2 0 1 13 5 Squad
Template:Flagicon Antwerp 1920 Group stage 8th 1 0 0 1 0 1 Squad
Template:Flagicon Paris 1924 Did not enter
Template:Flagicon Amsterdam 1928
Template:Flagicon Berlin 1936
Template:Flagicon London 1948 Bronze medal 3rd 4 3 0 1 15 11 Squad
Template:Flagicon Helsinki 1952 Quarter-finals 5th 3 2 0 1 7 6 Squad
Template:Flagicon Melbourne 1956 Did not enter
Template:Flagicon Rome 1960 Silver medal 2nd 5 4 0 1 11 7 Squad
Template:Flagicon Tokyo 1964 Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon Mexico City 1968 Did not enter
Template:Flagicon Munich 1972 Quarter-finals 6th 6 3 1 2 11 7 Squad
Template:Flagicon Montréal 1976 Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon Moscow 1980 Did not enter
Template:Flagicon Los Angeles 1984 Did not qualify
Template:Flagicon Seoul 1988
Since 1992 See Denmark national under-21 football team
Total 3 Silver medals 7/17 25 16 1 8 83 40 —

Head-to-head record

As of 18 November 2025 after the match against Scotland.

Template:Legend2 Template:Legend2 Template:Legend2

Honours

Global

Intercontinental

Continental

Regional

Friendly

Awards

Summary

Competition Template:Gold1 Template:Silver2 Template:Bronze3 Total
Olympic Games 0 3 1 4
FIFA Confederations Cup 1 0 0 1
UEFA European Championship 1 0 0 1
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions 0 1 0 1
Total 2 4 1 7

Notes

Template:Reflist

References

Template:Reflist

Literature

Template:Sister project

Template:Denmark national football team Template:Navboxes Template:Portal bar Template:Authority control

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