Kosovo national under-21 football team

Kosovo Under-21
Nickname(s)	Dardanët (Dardanians)
Association	Federata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Afrim Tovërlani
Captain	Rotation
Most caps	Besfort Kolgeci (11)
Top scorer	Florent Hasani (3)
Home stadium	Fadil Vokrri Stadium
FIFA code	KOS
First international
	Ghana 2–2 Kosovo ; (Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 12 June 2013)
Biggest win
	Andorra 0–4 Kosovo ; (Andorra la Vella, Andorra; 6 June 2019)
Biggest defeat
	Egypt 8–0 Kosovo ; (Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 15 June 2013)

The Kosovo national under-21 football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Kosovës nën 21 vjeç; Serbian: Фудбалска репрезентација Косова до 21. године, romanized: Fudbalska reprezentacija Kosova do 21. godine) is the national under-21 football team of Kosovo and is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Kosovo national team.

History

Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave the permission to play international friendly games against other member associations.^[2] Whereas, on 13 January 2014, there was a change of this permit that forbade Kosovo to play against the national teams of the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Club teams were also allowed to play friendlies and this happened after a FIFA Emergency Committee meeting. However, it was stipulated that clubs and representative teams of the Football Federation of Kosovo may not display national symbols as flags, emblems, etc. or play national anthems. The go-ahead was given after meetings between the Football Association of Serbia and Sepp Blatter.

Membership in UEFA and FIFA

In September 2015 at an UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Malta was approved the request from the federation to the admission in UEFA to the next Ordinary Congress to be held in Budapest.^[3] On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress. Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 in favor of Kosovo.^[4]^[5] Ten days later, Kosovo was accepted in FIFA during their 66th congress in Mexico with 141 votes in favour and 23 against.^[6]

Competitive record

UEFA European Under-21 Championship

On 26 January 2017, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 5 of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Norway and Republic of Ireland.^[7] On 25 March 2017, Kosovo made his debut on UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications with a 1–0 away defeat in against Republic of Ireland.^[8]

UEFA European Under-21 Championship record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1978 to 1992	Part of Yugoslavia
1994 to 2006	Part of Serbia and Montenegro
2007	Part of Serbia
2009 to 2015	Not a UEFA member
2017	Could not enter
2019	Did not qualify									5th	10	3	3	4	9	12
2021										5th	10	3	0	7	9	20
2023										4th	9	3	2	4	7	12
Total	—	0/23	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	2/15	29	9	4	15	25	44

Non-FIFA Tournament

Kosovo U21 has so far only participated in one international tournament in Valais Youth Cup, a two-day international football tournament. In which they finished in fourth place. Their first match was against Ghana in which they lost.

Year	Round	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Squad
2013	Fourth place	4th	2	0	1	1	2	10	Squad
Total	—	1/1	2	0	1	1	2	10	—

Fixtures and results

2021

7 September UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	England	2–0	Kosovo	Milton Keynes, England
20:00	Brewster 10' (pen.) Palmer 26'	Report		Stadium: Stadium MK Referee: Kaarlo Oskari Hämäläinen (Finland)

7 October UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Kosovo	0–1	Czech Republic	Pristina, Kosovo
19:00		Report	Gabriel 38'	Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Referee: Rauf Jabarov (Azerbaijan)

12 October UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Czech Republic	3–0	Kosovo	České Budějovice, Czech Republic
18:00	Sejk 10' Gabriel 38' Šulc 57'	Report		Stadium: Stadion Střelecký ostrov Referee: Gal Leibovitz (Israel)

16 November UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Kosovo	2–1	Albania	Pristina, Kosovo
19:00	E. Krasniqi 66' Sejdiu 90+2'	Report	Karrica 58'	Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)

2022

25 March UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Kosovo	0–0	Slovenia	Pristina, Kosovo
18:00		Report		Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 600 Referee: Ian McNabb (Northern Ireland)

29 March UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Slovenia	0–0	Kosovo	Maribor, Slovenia
16:00		Report		Stadium: Ljudski vrt Attendance: 437 Referee: Ioannis Papadopoulos (Greece)

4 June UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Andorra	0–3	Kosovo	Andorra la Vella, Andorra
18:00		Report	Veliu 11' (pen.) Sadriu 52' K. Krasniqi 54'	Stadium: Estadi Comunal Attendance: 522 Referee: Sandi Putros (Denmark)

10 June UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Kosovo	0–5	England	Pristina, Kosovo
20:00	Lewis-Potter 1' Gordon 13' Archer 52', 72' I. Krasniqi 85' (o.g.)	Report		Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Aleksandrs Anufrijevs (Latvia)

14 June UEFA Euro 2023 qualification	Albania	1–1	Kosovo	Elbasan, Albania
19:30	Ruçi 90+5'	Report	E. Krasniqi 32'	Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 350 Referee: Marian Barbu (Romania)

23 September Hybrid friendly	Greenland	0–1	Kosovo	Kemer, Turkey
		Report	D. Krasniqi 77'

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for a eight-day training camp in Turkey.^[9]
All caps and goals as of 14 June 2022 after match against Albania, only matches as FIFA member are included.
Players in bold have been called up or have played at least one full international match with national senior team.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	David Nreca-Bisinger	(2002-01-18) 18 January 2002 (age 22)	13	0	Stuttgarter Kickers
1GK	Léo Besson	(2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Servette U21
1GK	Rijad Bytyqi	(2003-01-28) 28 January 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Twente U21

2DF	Andi Hoti	(2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 (age 21)	8	0	SC Freiburg II
2DF	Egzon Rexhaj	(2002-11-15) 15 November 2002 (age 21)	3	0	Neuchâtel Xamax U21
2DF	Arbnor Aliu	(2003-02-17) 17 February 2003 (age 21)	2	0	Schalke 04 II
2DF	Arbnor Hasani	(2002-01-16) 16 January 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Winterthur U21
2DF	Argjend Pacolli	(2002-01-25) 25 January 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Roda JC Kerkrade U21
2DF	Erdin Dushi	(2002-10-07) 7 October 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Trepça '89
2DF	Elvis Letaj	(2003-09-26) 26 September 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Tabor Sežana

3MF	Altin Kryeziu	(2002-01-03) 3 January 2002 (age 22)	6	0	Maribor
3MF	Behar Neziri	(2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 (age 21)	3	0	Bayern Munich II
3MF	Florian Haxha	(2002-04-06) 6 April 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Hertha BSC II
3MF	Oltion Bilalli	(2002-01-03) 3 January 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Gjilani
3MF	Lulzim Peci	(2002-02-27) 27 February 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Trepça '89
3MF	Doni Arifi	(2002-04-11) 11 April 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Ilves
3MF	Besfort Zeneli	(2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Elfsborg
3MF	Adem Podrimaj	(2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Hannover 96 II
3MF	Vleron Statovci	(2003-07-13) 13 July 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Alemannia Aachen

4FW	Ardit Tahiri	(2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Drita
4FW	Veton Tusha	(2002-12-29) 29 December 2002 (age 21)	4	1	Ballkani
4FW	Bleron Krasniqi	(2002-05-18) 18 May 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Berliner AK 07
4FW	Arian Llugiqi	(2002-10-24) 24 October 2002 (age 22)	0	0	FC Ingolstadt 04
4FW	Dion Krasniqi	(2003-08-24) 24 August 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Varbergs BoIS

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Erion Avdija	(2005-03-13) 13 March 2005 (age 19)	0	0	1860 Munich	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
GK	Arnis Ajeti	(2003-07-09) 9 July 2003 (age 21)	0	0	2 Korriku	v. Albania, 14 June 2022
GK	Laurence Shala	(2004-09-11) 11 September 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Crystal Palace	v. Albania, 14 June 2022
GK	Art Hoti	(2004-06-09) 9 June 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Llapi	v. Andorra, 4 June 2022^PRE

DF	Amar Gërxhaliu	(2002-04-26) 26 April 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Antalyaspor	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
DF	Norik Humolli	(2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Almopos Aridea	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
DF	Buron Humolli	(2003-09-28) 28 September 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Apollon Larissa	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
DF	Valon Zumberi	(2002-11-24) 24 November 2002 (age 21)	10	0	Hamburger SV	v. Albania, 14 June 2022
DF	Andi Janjeva	(2002-10-11) 11 October 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Unattached	v. Albania, 14 June 2022
DF	Rejan Thaçi	(2003-11-07) 7 November 2003 (age 20)	0	0	Stade Lausanne Ouchy	v. Albania, 14 June 2022
DF	Ardi Morina	(2003-03-03) 3 March 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Zürich U21	v. Slovenia, 29 March 2022

MF	Art Smakaj	(2003-02-04) 4 February 2003 (age 21)	3	0	Lokomotiva	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
MF	Edin Hyseni	(2002-01-07) 7 January 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Wacker Burghausen	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
MF	Milot Avdyli	(2002-07-28) 28 July 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Aarau	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
MF	Arlind Rexhepi	(2003-07-28) 28 July 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Hamburger SV II	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
MF	Mal Mehmeti	(2002-04-25) 25 April 2002 (age 22)	1	0	Lushnja	v. Albania, 14 June 2022

FW	Elidon Qenaj	(2003-05-22) 22 May 2003 (age 21)	0	0	1. FC Heidenheim	v. Greenland, 23 September 2022
FW	Eduart Ibrahimi	(2003-01-20) 20 January 2003 (age 21)	1	0	Arminia Bielefeld	v. Albania, 14 June 2022
Notes ^PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Albert Bunjaki (caretaker)
Assistant coach	Bekim Isufi
Goalkeeping coach	Naser Prapashtica
Team manager	Zgjim Sojeva

Head-to-head records against other countries

As of 11 June 2019
Head-to-head records are included only matches as FIFA member.

Opponent	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Andorra	1	1	0	0	4	0	+4	100.00
Azerbaijan	2	1	1	0	2	0	+2	050.00
Germany	2	0	1	1	0	1	−1	000.00
England	2	0	0	2	0	8	−8	000.00
Israel	2	0	0	2	0	7	−7	000.00
Malta	1	1	0	0	1	0	+1	100.00
Norway	2	2	0	0	6	2	+4	100.00
Republic of Ireland	2	0	1	1	1	2	−1	000.00
Turkey	1	1	0	0	3	1	+2	100.00
Turkmenistan	1	1	0	0	3	2	+1	100.00
10 Countries	15	7	3	5	20	23	−3	046.67

Notes and references

Notes

References

^ "Football Federation of Kosovo". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
^ "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
^ "UEFA shqyrton në mars të vitit të ardhshëm anëtarësimin e Kosovës" [UEFA reviews in March next year Kosovo's membership] (in Albanian). Voice of America. 19 September 2015.
^ "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.
^ "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.
^ "Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës" [Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 May 2016.
^ "Kosova U21 në grup me Gjermaninë, ja orari i ndeshjeve" [Kosovo U21 in group with Germany and the match schedules] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018. Kosova u përfshi në Grupin 5, me kundërshtarë shumë të fortë si Gjermania, Izraeli, Norvegjia, Irlanda dhe Azerbajxhani
^ "Kosova U21 e pafat kundër Irlandës, humb me rezultat të ngushtë" [Kosovo U21 unlucky against Ireland, loses with a close result] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
^ "Tovërlani publikon listën e Kombëtares U21" [Tovërlani publishes the list of the National U21 Team] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 12 November 2022.

External links

Official website (in Albanian and English)
Kosovo U21 News about the team

[1] "Football Federation of Kosovo". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

[2] "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.

[3] "UEFA shqyrton në mars të vitit të ardhshëm anëtarësimin e Kosovës" [UEFA reviews in March next year Kosovo's membership] (in Albanian). Voice of America. 19 September 2015.

[4] "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.

[5] "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.

[6] "Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës" [Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 May 2016.

[7] "Kosova U21 në grup me Gjermaninë, ja orari i ndeshjeve" [Kosovo U21 in group with Germany and the match schedules] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018. Kosova u përfshi në Grupin 5, me kundërshtarë shumë të fortë si Gjermania, Izraeli, Norvegjia, Irlanda dhe Azerbajxhani

[8] "Kosova U21 e pafat kundër Irlandës, humb me rezultat të ngushtë" [Kosovo U21 unlucky against Ireland, loses with a close result] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018.

[9] "Tovërlani publikon listën e Kombëtares U21" [Tovërlani publishes the list of the National U21 Team] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 12 November 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]