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Albania national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Albania women's national football team.

Albania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit
ConfederationUEFA
Head coachSylvinho
CaptainBerat Djimsiti
Most capsLorik Cana (93)
Top scorerErjon Bogdani (18)
Home stadiumArena Kombëtare
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 65 Increase 2 (24 October 2024)[1]
Highest22 (August 2015[2])
Lowest124 (August 1997[3])
First international
 Albania 2–3 Yugoslavia 
(Tirana, Albania; 7 October 1946)
Biggest win
 Albania 5–0 Vietnam 
(Bastia Umbra, Italy; 12 February 2003)
 Albania 6–1 Cyprus 
(Tirana, Albania; 12 August 2009)
 Albania 5–0 San Marino 
(Elbasan, Albania; 8 September 2021)
Biggest defeat
 Hungary 12–0 Albania 
(Budapest, Hungary; 24 September 1950)
European Championship
Appearances2 (first in 2016)
Best resultGroup stage (2016)
Medal record
Men's football
Balkan Cup
Gold medal – first place 1946 Albania Team
Malta International
Gold medal – first place 2000 Albania Team

The Albania national football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Shqipërisë) represents Albania in men's international football, and is governed by the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF), the governing body for football in Albania.

Albania competes in the three major international football tournaments—the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship and UEFA Nations League. Albania was the winner of the 1946 Balkan Cup and the 2000 Malta Rothmans International Tournament. At Euro 2016, Albania made its debut at a major men's football tournament, scoring its first goal and recording its first victory in a major tournament against Romania on 19 June 2016.[5] They will compete in Euro 2024.

Since its completion in 2019, Arena Kombëtare (National Arena), named officially "Air Albania Stadium" for sponsorship reasons, has been the team's home ground. Albania's highest FIFA World Ranking was 22nd in August 2015.

The team uses red, white and black colours and the Albanian double headed eagle as its symbol. Its supporters are collectively known as the Tifozët Kuq e Zi and use the same national red and black colours.

In 2020, Albania won group 4 of UEFA Nations League C and was promoted to UEFA Nations League B.

History

See also: History of the Albania national football team

20th century

Loro Boriçi captained the national team in winning the 1946 Balkan Cup.

Although it never played any matches, the Albania national football team existed before the Albanian Football Federation (Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit; FSHF) was created on 6 June 1930. Albania joined FIFA during a congress held between 12 and 16 June. Albania played its first international match against Yugoslavia in 1946, which ended in a 3–2 home defeat at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[6] In 1946, Albania also participated for the first time in the Balkan Cup in which Albania won by beating Romania 1–0 in the final.[7] In 1954, Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA. Albania waited until 1962 to compete in a Euro Cup competition and the only time Albania was between the best 16 teams of the Continent, the reason being Albania got past the first leg as Greece, for political reasons forfeited the game.[8][9] [10] At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.[11][12][13] Albania participated at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the Men's qualification tournament, and closely lost both matches against Bulgaria in the preliminary round.[14] They would participate for the second and last time at the 1972 Summer Olympics in which they faced Romania at the Men's European Qualifiers in the Playoffs. Albania would lose both matches close with 2–1 in the first leg and 1–2 at home in the second leg.[15][16]

Manifest of the Fifth Albanian Football Spartakiad (1984)

Albania participated for the first time in a qualifying phrase of a World Cup in the qualifiers of the 1966 edition in England. The team was drawn in the Group 5 which finished in the last position with only one point from six matches. In the qualifiers, of the UEFA Euro 1968 Albania had a draw 0–0 against West Germany that denied the Germans the participation to the UEFA Euro 1968 finals.[17][18] In later years, Albania did not participate in the qualifiers of the World Cup 1970, UEFA Euro 1976, World Cup 1978 and UEFA Euro 1980 for unknown political reasons. After six years without playing any international matches, Albania entered in the qualifiers of the World Cup 1982, managing to finish in a place other than last for the first time in a qualifying match, with Finland getting last place instead. In the following qualification for the World Cup 1986 Albania were able to beat famously Belgium at home in Tirana with 2–0 as well as drawing away in Mielec against Poland with 2–2 despite leading until the end of this match. Their last point were won against Greece at home. Missing out close for their first ever FIFA World Cup as they finished third in the standings. The qualifiers of the World Cup 1990 were probably the worst qualifier in Albania's history as there were 6 losses in as many games with no memorable matches.

21st century

In the qualifiers of the World Cup 2002, Albania recorded a 2–0 win over Greece which was the only team that they beat during the qualifiers. Albania was able to make some impact in the qualifying of the UEFA Euro 2004 by beating 3–1 Russia at Loro Boriçi Stadium.[19] This match was also the debut of the German coach Hans-Peter Briegel who led Albania to an undefeated run at home matches. Despite the good results, Albania finished the group in the penultimate spot with only eight points. In the qualifiers of the World Cup 2006 Albania recorded some historical results. Two months after Greece beat Portugal to win the European Championship, Albania defeated Greece 2–1.[20]

In the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2008 Albania won twice in both matches against Luxembourg. Albania also drew 2–2 with Belarus and 0–0 away with Bulgaria. Albania's Euro campaign ended with a 6–1 loss away to Romania which resulted in the resignation of the coach Otto Barić and his assistant.[21] In December 2007, Arie Haan was named Albania's head coach by signing a two-year contract for the qualifiers of the World Cup 2010, where Albania made a very negative performance by winning only one match. Albania won only seven points from ten matches and Haan was replaced by Josip Kuže in May 2009 following the end of the campaign.[22] However, Kuže couldn't lead Albania to the better results as the team ended the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2012 with only nine points from ten matches. With Kuže in charge, Albania recorded its second biggest win the history by defeating Cyprus 6–1 at home, equal with Albania's 5–0 victory over Vietnam in 2003.[23]

Albania squad wearing the visitors' uniform in the match against Austria, 26 March 2016.

Josip Kuže parted ways with Albania three and a half years after he started the job, and in December 2011, Italian coach Gianni de Biasi replaced him.[24] Albania started the qualifiers and was, at one point, 2nd in group with six matches played and four to spare, but failed to be successful in the last four, losing away in Slovenia and Iceland, as well as at home against Switzerland, and drawing in Cyprus.[25] Albania started the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2016 with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal,[26] which was followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated stadium Elbasan Arena.[27] After beating Armenia 3–0 in the last qualifying match, Albania made history by qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2016, its first appearance at a major men's football tournament after 50 years and Albania's first-ever appearance at a competitive tournament in the history.[28] In the tournament itself, Albania lost 0–1 to Switzerland and 0–2 to hosts France. While they beat Romania 1–0 (their first win against Romania since 1947), the team finished last among the third-placed teams and didn't progress beyond the group stage.[29]

In 2018 World Cup qualification, Albania was drawn in a group with Spain, Italy, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, and Israel. Despite the difficult draw, they placed third in the group, their best result in history without qualifying for the final tournament. During this time, manager Gianni De Biasi resigned after disputes with the FSHF and was replaced by Christian Panucci.[30] Albania played poorly in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, winning only once against Israel and losing the return leg as well as both matches against Scotland.[31] Panucci would be sacked after a 2–0 defeat to Turkey in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.[32] Edoardo Reja replaced Panucci as Albania faced home and away series against both 2018 FIFA World Cup champions France and Iceland as well as the return leg against Turkey.[33] In the end, Albania placed fourth in the group, failing to qualify.[34]

On 17 November 2023, Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2024.[35] They were drawn in Group B, which is considered the group of death by many fans, containing three-time Euro winners Spain, two-time Euro winners and defending champions Italy, as well as Croatia, which came third in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Team image

Nicknames

The team's nickname is commonly known as "Kuqezinjtë" ("The Red and Blacks") and amongst Kosovo supporters, as "Kosova B". During the period before 2016, the national teams of Albania and Kosovo exchanged players with each other due to the complexities of descent brought on by Kosovo's independence, leading supporters to refer to each team as the other team's "reserve" side.[36]

Kits

Kit supplier Period
Adidas 1981–1992
Umbro 1992–1993
Uhlsport 1994–1995
Puma 2000–2004
Umbro 2004–2007
Nike 2008–2010
Legea 2010–2012
Adidas 2012–2016
Macron 2016–2027

Albania's uniform colors are red and black, mirroring the country's flag. The team typically wears red shirts, black shorts and red socks. Away kits are usually all-white, with red and black trimming.

Over the years, the national team has sported kit wear from renowned sportswear brands such as Legea, Puma, Nike and Adidas, to name a few. The partnership with Puma began in 2000 and lasted five years. Nike outfitted the team during the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers and the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. A collaboration with Adidas followed, in a contract signing which allowed it to manufacture kits for the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers, the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and lastly the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers.

On 24 March 2016, the Albanian Football Federation unveiled a new jersey for the national team players, set to be worn during the forthcoming UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, hosted that year in France. Manufactured by Macron, the jersey redesign, labeled "Triumfi," was conceptualized by Tirana-based studio PIK Creative.[37][38]

Jersey redesign

Jersey Description
Home red; visitor white; alternate grey
 Inaugural 2016–17 jersey model
The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) and Italian sportswear company Macron unveiled the newly designed Albania EURO 2016 football kits at a ceremonious event held in Tirana on Thursday, 24 March 2016.

In home red, visitor white and alternate dark grey, the apparel set features a uniform design, with the jersey revealing what can be described as a distinctive “Korean” collar, beside an artistic rendition of the Albanian double-headed eagle, manifested through a sequence of fading horizontal lines that run along the front of the jersey.

The inscription “TI SHQIPЁRI MЁ JEP NDER” is stitched on the inner neckline, while the word “ALBANIA” appears on the signoff area at the back of all three jerseys. A patch bearing the logo of the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament was added to the left sleeves of the Albania kits worn at that summer’s European football championship.

2017–18 home red
2017–18 away white
2017–18 alternate
2019–20 home red
2019–20 away white
2019–20 alternate
2021–22 home red
2021–22 away white
2021–22 alternate

Home stadium

Main articles: Arena Kombëtare, Elbasan Arena, and Loro Boriçi Stadium
See also: Qemal Stafa Stadium
Construction of Arena Kombëtare in the city center, 2019

Albania's main stadium for most part of the history was Qemal Stafa Stadium located in Tirana. The work started in April 1939 during the Italy regime. The construction lasted for three years but it stopped briefly in August 1943 following the fall of fascist regime.[39] The stadium had an Olympic Stadium shape, as idealized by Gherardo Bosio, a young fascist architect from Florence, Italy.[40] The stadium's initial capacity was 15,000, this due to the fact that Tirana at that time had only 60,000 inhabitants.[40] It was named after Qemal Stafa, a Hero of Albania in World War II.[41] The stadium was inaugurated officially on 7 October 1946 when Albania played its first competitive match against Yugoslavia.[42] Ever since then, further 130 international matches took place in the stadium, with the last being a friendly against Georgia in November 2015.[43] In 2005, Cecilia de Marco and Elisabetta Lorusso, two young Italian students, called the stadium as "one of the strongest symbols of Italian impact in Albania".[39] In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.[44] The stadium's demolition started in June 2016, and it was announced that is going to be replaced by Arena Kombëtare.[45]

Albania sometimes has played home matches at other venues. Outside Tirana, the national team has played matches in Flamurtari Stadium in Vlorë,[46] Tomori Stadium in Berat,[47] Niko Dovana Stadium in Durrës,[48] Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër[49] and Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.[50] In February 2014, due to Albania not having a stadium that fulfills international standards set by FIFA, the work for renovation of Elbasan Arena (at the time Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium) started.[51] The work lasted for 7 months, and the stadium was inaugurated on 9 October when Albania played a friendly match against KF Elbasani under-19 squad; Albania won the match 17–0.[52] The official inauguration occurred two days later in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Denmark.[53]

The first international match at Loro Boriçi Stadium was played on 29 March 2003 against Russia, with Albania winning 3–1.[19] In October 2014, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, promised the reconstruction of the stadium.[54] The stadium's construction started in May 2015 and finished in August 2016.[55] In 2016–17, the stadium served temporary as the home of Kosovo national team, due to stadiums in Mitrovica and Pristina were under renovation and did not meet UEFA standards.[56]

Rivalries

Kosovo

Main article: Brotherly derby

This derby is otherwise known as Brotherly derby (Albanian: Derbi vëllazëror), also known as the Brotherly (Albanian: Vëllazërorja). The documented beginnings of this derby date back to the time during the World War II, respectively on 29 November 1942, where they played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania and the match ended with a 2–0 win for Tirana,[a][58][59] this derby is back 50 years after the first match, when the Football Federation of Kosovo signed a cooperation protocol with the Albanian Football Federation and in the framework of this protocol it was decided to play on 14 February a friendly match between these two national teams,[60] and this match ended with a 3–1 win for Albania.[61]

Serbia

Main article: Albania–Serbia football rivalry

This football rivalry between Albania and Serbia is mainly due to historical tensions between the two countries. It has been described as "one of the fiercest rivalries in the world". During the Euro 2016 qualifying phase, the Serbian crowd were chanting "Kill, kill Albanians"[62] and were throwing flares at the Albania team, after which there was a clash between the Serbia and Albania teams.[63]

Supporters

Main article: Tifozat Kuq e Zi
A choreography of Tifozat Kuq e Zi in the national team's first match at Elbasan Arena against Denmark in October 2014

Tifozat Kuq e Zi (Red and Black Fans, also known as the Albania National Football Team Supporters Club) is a non-profit football supporters' association for the Albania national football team and various national team sportive activities.[64][65] It was founded on 25 December 2003.[64] In cooperation with FSHF, it organises trips for football fans to visit games, and develops and sells merchandise to support itself and fund sporting related projects.

Tifozat Kuq e Zi stands firm in the political view that Albanians should share only one national team and have continuous aspirations to join in one state (Një Komb, Një Kombëtare), i.e. unification of Albania, Kosovo, etc.[66][67] In this sense, TKZ is joined by different supporters' associations throughout Albanian-speaking regions mainly in Kosovo (Shqiponjat of Peja, Kuqezinjet e Jakoves of Gjakova, Plisat of Prishtina, Torcida of Mitrovica, etc.), North Macedonia (Ballistët of Tetovë, Ilirët of Kumanovë, Shvercerat of Shkupi, etc.) and in Albania itself (Ultras Guerrils of Partizani Tirana, Tirona Fanatics of KF Tirana, Vllaznit Ultras of Vllaznia Shkodër, Ujqërit e Deborës of Skënderbeu Korçë, Shqiponjat of KF Besa Pejë and many other different Albanian fans).[64]

There are sports twinnings with some amateur football teams of the historic Albanian communities of Italy (Arbëreshë): in 2017, on the occasion of the Italy – Albania match played in Palermo (Sicily, Italy) for the World Cup qualifiers, the local team and the Municipality of Piana degli Albanesi welcomed the ambassador of the Republic of Albania, the official delegation of the Albanian football federation and numerous Albanian fans who also came from the Balkans, in a fraternal and sporting twinning Arbëreshë-Shqiptarë.

Albanian and Arbëreshë fans in Palermo, for the Italy-Albania 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier match on 24 March 2017

The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football Federation of Albania has been seen as a political intrusion by FIFA and UEFA, which led to the banning of Albania from international sportive activities. FSHF president Armand Duka is highly unwanted by the TKZ who have numerously asked for his resignation believing he is responsible for internal corruption in the Albanian Football Federation.[68][69][70][71]

The TKZ have been praised by many different football players and managers, whom were not just Albanian. One example is with Switzerland's former coach, Ottmar Hitzfeld, who was astonished by how many Albanian fans turned up and how enthusiastic they were in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Switzerland and Albania where the Swiss won 2–0 thanks to goals from Gökhan Inler and Kosovo-born Xherdan Shaqiri. He didn't believe that there was 12,000 Albanian fans in the stands which was more than how many Swiss fans turned up for the game. He stated that "Albanian fans are fantastic and the most passionate fans I have ever seen".[72] During that campaign, TKZ attended all games Albania played apart from a match against Cyprus in Nicosia and were also large in numbers in the away games to Slovenia in Maribor and Norway in Oslo.[73][74][75]

Media coverage

Results and fixtures

Main article: Albania national football team results (2020–present)

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

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

27 March Euro 2024 qualifying Poland  1–0  Albania Warsaw, Poland
20:45 Świderski 41' Report Stadium: Stadion Narodowy
Attendance: 56,227
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
17 June Euro 2024 qualifying Albania  2–0  Moldova Tirana, Albania
20:45
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 20,944
Referee: Dennis Higler (Netherlands)
20 June Euro 2024 qualifying Faroe Islands  1–3  Albania Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
20:45 (19:45 UTC+1) Færø 45+1' Report
Stadium: Tórsvøllur
Attendance: 2,507
Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (Cyprus)
7 September Euro 2024 qualifying Czech Republic  1–1  Albania Prague, Czech Republic
20:45 Černý 56' Report Bajrami 66' Stadium: Eden Arena
Attendance: 18,641
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
10 September Euro 2024 qualifying Albania  2–0  Poland Tirana, Albania
20:45
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 21,900
Referee: José María Sánchez (Spain)
12 October Euro 2024 qualifying Albania  3–0  Czech Republic Tirana, Albania
20:45
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 20,917
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
17 October Friendly Albania  2–0  Bulgaria Tirana, Albania
16:30
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 17,232
Referee: Mervan Bejtullahu (Kosovo)
17 November Euro 2024 qualifying Moldova  1–1  Albania Chişinău, Moldova
20:45 (21:45 UTC+2) Baboglo 87' Report Cikalleshi 25' (pen.) Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Attendance: 9,537
Referee: Willie Collum (Scotland)
20 November Euro 2024 qualifying Albania  0–0  Faroe Islands Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 21,456
Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany)

2024

22 March Friendly Albania  0–3  Chile Parma, Italy
20:45 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stadio Ennio Tardini
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Luca Pairetto (Italy)
25 March Friendly Sweden  1–0  Albania Solna, Sweden
19:00 UTC+1 Nilsson 62' Report Stadium: Friends Arena
Referee: Marcel Bîrsan (Romania)
3 June Friendly Albania  v  Liechtenstein Szombathely, Hungary
20:00 Report Stadium: Haladás Sportkomplexum
7 June Friendly Albania  v  Azerbaijan Szombathely, Hungary
19:00 Report Stadium: Haladás Sportkomplexum
15 June Euro 2024 Italy  v  Albania Dortmund, Germany
21:00 CEST Report Stadium: Westfalenstadion
19 June Euro 2024 Croatia  v  Albania Hamburg, Germany
15:00 CEST Report Stadium: Volksparkstadion
24 June Euro 2024 Albania  v  Spain Düsseldorf, Germany
21:00 CEST Report Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena
7 September 2024–25 Nations League Ukraine  v  Albania TBD[b]
20:45 Report
10 September 2024–25 Nations League Albania  v  Georgia Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
11 October 2024–25 Nations League Czech Republic  v  Albania Czech Republic
20:45 Report
14 October 2024–25 Nations League Georgia  v  Albania Georgia
18:00 (20:00 UTC+4) Report
16 November 2024–25 Nations League Albania  v  Czech Republic Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
19 November 2024–25 Nations League Albania  v  Ukraine Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare

Coaching staff

See also: List of Albania national football team managers

Current coaching staff

Albania's current manager Sylvinho
Role Name
Head coach Brazil Sylvinho
Assistant coach(es) Argentina Pablo Zabaleta
Brazil Dorival Guidoni
Albania Ervin Bulku
Athletic coach(es) Albania Taulant Stërmasi
Albania Elton Kodra
Goalkeeping coach Albania Ilir Bozhiqi
Physiotherapist Albania Altin Haxhia
Doctor Italy Gianluca Stesina
Masseur Albania Arzen Voçi
Material base(s) Albania Eduard Salillari
Albania Osman Bulku
Osteopath Albania Arjan Llaperi
Team manager Albania Dritan Babamusta
Video analyst Italy Alarico Marco Rossi

Players

See also: Albania international footballers

Current squad

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Alen Sherri (1997-12-15) 15 December 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Albania Egnatia
12 1GK Elhan Kastrati (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Italy Cittadella
23 1GK Thomas Strakosha (3rd captain) (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 (age 29) 27 0 England Brentford
2 2DF Iván Balliu (1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 (age 32) 12 0 Spain Rayo Vallecano
3 2DF Mario Mitaj (2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 (age 21) 12 0 Russia Lokomotiv Moscow
4 2DF Elseid Hysaj (vice-captain) (1994-02-02) 2 February 1994 (age 30) 83 2 Italy Lazio
5 2DF Frédéric Veseli (1992-11-20) 20 November 1992 (age 31) 45 0 Turkey Fatih Karagümrük
6 2DF Berat Gjimshiti (captain) (1993-02-19) 19 February 1993 (age 31) 57 1 Italy Atalanta
13 2DF Enea Mihaj (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 26) 17 0 Portugal Famalicão
18 2DF Jon Mersinaj (1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Croatia Lokomotiva
24 2DF Marash Kumbulla (2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 (age 24) 18 0 Italy Sassuolo
25 2DF Naser Aliji (1993-12-27) 27 December 1993 (age 30) 13 0 Romania Voluntari
7 3MF Keidi Bare (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 27) 29 2 Spain Espanyol
10 3MF Nedim Bajrami (1999-02-28) 28 February 1999 (age 25) 21 3 Italy Sassuolo
14 3MF Qazim Laçi (1996-01-19) 19 January 1996 (age 28) 25 2 Czech Republic Sparta Prague
20 3MF Ylber Ramadani (1996-04-12) 12 April 1996 (age 28) 34 1 Italy Lecce
21 3MF Kristjan Asllani (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 22) 18 2 Italy Inter Milan
8 4FW Rey Manaj (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27) 32 7 Turkey Sivasspor
9 4FW Jasir Asani (1995-05-19) 19 May 1995 (age 29) 11 3 South Korea Gwangju FC
15 4FW Taulant Seferi (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 27) 18 3 United Arab Emirates Baniyas
16 4FW Sokol Cikalleshi (1990-07-27) 27 July 1990 (age 34) 60 13 Turkey Konyaspor
17 4FW Ernest Muçi (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 (age 23) 9 2 Turkey Beşiktaş
19 4FW Arbnor Muçolli (1999-09-15) 15 September 1999 (age 25) 6 0 Sweden IFK Göteborg
22 4FW Armando Broja (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 23) 19 4 England Fulham
26 4FW Arbër Hoxha (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb

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 Etrit Berisha (1989-03-10) 10 March 1989 (age 35) 80 0 Italy Empoli v.  Chile, 22 March 2024INJ
GK Simon Simoni (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt v.  Moldova, 17 June 2023U21
DF Ardian Ismajli (1996-09-30) 30 September 1996 (age 28) 36 2 Italy Empoli v.  Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023INJ
DF Arlind Ajeti (1993-09-25) 25 September 1993 (age 31) 24 1 Romania CFR Cluj v.  Moldova, 17 November 2023INJ
DF Andi Hadroj (1999-02-22) 22 February 1999 (age 25) 3 0 Albania Partizani v.  Moldova, 17 June 2023
DF Adrian Bajrami (2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Portugal Benfica v.  Moldova, 17 June 2023U21
MF Klaus Gjasula (1989-12-14) 14 December 1989 (age 34) 27 0 Germany Darmstadt 98 v.  Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023
MF Odise Roshi (1991-05-21) 21 May 1991 (age 33) 71 5 Turkey Sakaryaspor v.  Poland, 10 September 2023
MF Amir Abrashi (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 34) 50 1 Switzerland Grasshoppers v.  Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
MF Anis Mehmeti (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 23) 3 0 England Bristol City v.  Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
FW Myrto Uzuni (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 (age 29) 35 5 Spain Granada v.  Chile, 22 March 2024INJ
FW Mirlind Daku (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 26) 5 1 Russia Rubin Kazan v.  Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023
FW Arbnor Muja (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) 5 0 Turkey Samsunspor v.  Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023
FW Marvin Çuni (2001-07-10) 10 July 2001 (age 23) 1 0 Italy Frosinone v.  Bulgaria, 17 October 2023
FW Armando Sadiku (1991-05-27) 27 May 1991 (age 33) 39 12 India Mohun Bagan v.  Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
Notes
  • INJ = It is not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
  • U21, U19 = Was called up from national U21 or U19 squad.

Records

Main article: Albania national football team records and statistics
See also: List of Albania international footballers and List of Albania national football team captains
As of 20 November 2023.[80]
Players in bold are still active with Albania.

Most appearances

Panajot Pano was awarded the Albanian UEFA Jubilee Award, rated by the Albanian Football Federation as the most outstanding player of the last 50 years.
Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the history of the national team, with 93 caps.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Lorik Cana 93 1 2003–2016
2 Elseid Hysaj 83 2 2013–present
3 Etrit Berisha 80 0 2012–present
4 Altin Lala 79 3 1998–2011
5 Klodian Duro 77 4 2001–2011
6 Erjon Bogdani 75 18 1996–2013
Ervin Skela 75 13 2000–2011
8 Ansi Agolli 73 3 2005–2017
Foto Strakosha 73 0 1990–2004
10 Odise Roshi 71 5 2011–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period
1 Erjon Bogdani 18 75 0.24 1996–2013
2 Alban Bushi 14 67 0.21 1995–2007
3 Sokol Cikalleshi 13 60 0.22 2014–present
Ervin Skela 13 75 0.17 2000–2011
5 Armando Sadiku 12 39 0.31 2012–present
6 Hamdi Salihi 11 50 0.22 2006–2015
Altin Rraklli 11 63 0.17 1992–2005
8 Sokol Kushta 10 31 0.32 1987–1996
Igli Tare 10 68 0.15 1997–2007
10 Bekim Balaj 9 48 0.19 2012–2022

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos. Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
Italy 1934 to Chile 1962 Did not participate Did not participate
England 1966 Did not qualify 4th 6 0 1 5 2 12
Mexico 1970 Entry not accepted[81] Entry not accepted
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 4th 6 1 0 5 3 13
Argentina 1978 Did not participate Did not participate
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 4th 8 1 0 7 4 22
Mexico 1986 3rd 6 1 2 3 6 9
Italy 1990 4th 6 0 0 6 3 15
United States 1994 7th 12 1 2 9 6 26
France 1998 6th 10 1 1 8 7 20
South Korea Japan 2002 5th 8 1 0 7 5 14
Germany 2006 5th 12 4 1 7 11 20
South Africa 2010 5th 10 1 4 5 6 13
Brazil 2014 5th 10 3 2 5 9 11
Russia 2018 3rd 10 4 1 5 10 13
Qatar 2022 3rd 10 6 0 4 12 12
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total — 0/21 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 13/21 114 24 14 76 84 200

UEFA European Championship

Main article: Albania at the UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos. Pld W D L GF GA
France 1960 Did not participate Did not participate
Spain 1964 Did not qualify Round of 16 4 3 0 1 7 4
Italy 1968 3rd 4 0 1 3 0 12
Belgium 1972 4th 6 1 1 4 5 9
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1976 Did not participate Did not participate
Italy 1980
France 1984 Did not qualify 5th 8 0 2 6 4 14
West Germany 1988 4th 6 0 0 6 2 17
Sweden 1992 5th 7 1 0 6 2 21
England 1996 6th 10 2 2 6 10 16
Belgium Netherlands 2000 5th 10 1 4 5 8 14
Portugal 2004 4th 8 2 2 4 11 15
Austria Switzerland 2008 5th 12 2 5 5 12 18
Poland Ukraine 2012 5th 10 2 3 5 7 14
France 2016 Group stage 18th 3 1 0 2 1 3 Squad 2nd 8 4 2 2 10 5
Europe 2020 Did not qualify 4th 10 4 1 5 16 14
Germany 2024 Qualified 1st 8 4 3 1 12 4
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total Group stage 2/17 3 1 0 2 1 3 — 14/17 111 26 26 59 100 177

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
League phase** Finals
Season LG Grp Pos. Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK Year Pos. Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
2018–19 C 1 3rd 4 1 0 3 1 8 Same position 34th Portugal 2019 Did not qualify
2020–21 C 4 1st 6 3 2 1 8 4 Rise 35th Italy 2021
2022–23 B 2 3rd 4 0 2 2 4 6 Same position 27th Netherlands 2023
2024–25 B 1 To be determined 2025
Total 14 4 4 6 13 18 27th Total — — — — — — —
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
**League stage played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage.

Summer Olympic Games

Olympic Games record Qualification record
Year Result Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos. Pld W D L GF GA
United Kingdom 1908 to Germany 1936 Team did not exist Team did not exist
United Kingdom 1948 to Italy 1960 Did not participate Did not participate
Japan 1964 Did not qualify PR 2 0 0 2 0 2
Mexico 1968 Did not participate Did not participate
West Germany 1972 Did not qualify PO 2 0 0 2 2 4
Canada 1976 to South Korea 1988 Did not participate Did not participate
Since Spain 1992 See Albania national under-23 team See Albania national under-23 team
Total — 0/2 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 2/2 4 0 0 4 2 6

Other tournaments

Year Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Balkan Cup
Albania 1946 Champions 1st 3 2 0 1 6 4 Squad
1947 Fifth place 5th 4 0 0 4 2 13
1948 Fifth place 5th 3 1 2 0 1 0
Malta Malta International Tournament
1998 Third place 3rd 3 0 2 1 3 6
2000 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 5 0
Bahrain Shoot Soccer Tournament[82][83]
Bahrain 2002 Third place 3rd 3 0 2 1 1 4
Total Best: Champions 6/6 19 6 6 7 18 27 —

FIFA rankings

As of December 2022 Source:[84]

  Best Ranking    Worst Ranking    Best Mover    Worst Mover  

Albania's FIFA world rankings
Rank Year Pld Best Worst
Rank Move Rank Move
66 2022 11 65 Increase 1 69 Decrease 1
66 2021 12 63 Increase 3 69 Decrease 3
66 2020 7 66 Increase 3 69 Decrease 3
66 2019 16 61 Increase 2 66 Decrease 4
60 2018 9 56 Increase 2 60 Decrease 3
62 2017 9 51 Increase 9 71 Decrease 12
49 2016 12 35 Increase 5 49 Decrease 10
  38 2015 7 22 Increase 15 63 Decrease 7
  58 2014 9 45 Increase 25 70 Decrease 16
57 2013 8 37 Increase 16 71 Decrease 13
63 2012 9 58 Increase 17 97 Decrease 10
74 2011 11 50 Increase 23 75 Decrease 14
65 2010 9 58 Increase 13 97 Decrease 7
96 2009 9 78 Increase 3 98 Decrease 11
  81 2008 7 73 Increase 19 102 Decrease 18
80 2007 11 66 Increase 11 88 Decrease 12
87 2006 6 62 Increase 20 88 Decrease 13
82 2005 10 82 Increase 7 93 Decrease 4
86 2004 8 86 Increase 5 94 Decrease 5
89 2003 11 86 Increase 13 101 Decrease 5
93 2002 9 92 Increase 4 97 Decrease 5
96 2001 7 74 Increase 1 96 Decrease 6
72 2000 8 72 Increase 13 94 Decrease 6
83 1999 8 83 Increase 15 95 Decrease 2
106 1998 8 97 Increase 14 109 Decrease 8
  116 1997 7 113 Increase 8 124 Decrease 4
  116 1996 5 90 Increase 6 116 Decrease 12
91 1995 8 87 Increase 13 106 Decrease 6
100 1994 5 93 Increase 9 113 Decrease 11
92 1993 7 91 Increase 1 93 Decrease 6
86 1992 86 86

Honours

2007 Postage stamp of Albania, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of Victory at the Balkan Cup

Head-to-head record

As of 25 March 2024 after the match against Sweden.
Key
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
Negative balance (more Losses)
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win % Reference
 Algeria[A] 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 50% H2H results
 Andorra 7 5 1 1 11 4 +7 71% H2H results
 Argentina 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0% H2H results
 Armenia 6 4 1 1 10 5 +5 66% H2H results
 Austria 7 0 0 7 2 19 −17 0% H2H results
 Azerbaijan 5 3 1 1 5 3 +2 60% H2H results
 Bahrain 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0% H2H results
 Belarus 7 3 2 2 10 10 0 42% H2H results
 Belgium 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 50% H2H results
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 5 1 2 2 4 5 −1 20% H2H results
 Bulgaria 14 3 4 7 10 17 −7 21% H2H results
 Cameroon 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
 China 2 0 1 1 3 4 −1 0% H2H results
 Chile 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0% H2H results
 Cuba 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
 Cyprus 6 2 2 2 12 7 +5 33% H2H results
 Czech Republic[B] 8 3 1 4 11 14 −5 33% H2H results
 Denmark 10 1 3 6 4 19 −15 10% H2H results
 East Germany 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 0% H2H results
 England 6 0 0 6 1 19 −18 0% H2H results
 Estonia 4 1 3 0 3 1 +2 25% H2H results
 Faroe Islands 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 50% H2H results
 Finland 7 2 1 4 6 8 −2 28% H2H results
 France 9 1 1 7 4 20 −16 11% H2H results
 Georgia 15 3 4 8 13 23 −10 20% H2H results
 Germany[C] 14 0 1 13 10 38 −28 0% H2H results
 Greece[D] 15 6 3 6 16 13 +3 50% H2H results
 Hungary 8 2 1 5 2 19 −17 25% H2H results
 Iceland 9 3 2 4 11 12 −1 33% H2H results
 Iran 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% H2H results
 Israel 6 2 0 4 6 9 −3 33% H2H results
 Italy 4 0 0 4 1 7 −4 0% H2H results
 Jordan 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
 Kazakhstan 4 3 1 0 6 2 +4 75% H2H results
 Kosovo 7 5 1 1 13 9 +1 71% H2H results[59][87][88]
 Latvia 5 0 5 0 6 6 0 0% H2H results
 Liechtenstein 3 3 0 0 6 0 +6 100% H2H results
 Lithuania 6 2 1 3 7 7 0 33% H2H results
 Luxembourg 7 3 1 3 8 7 +1 42% H2H results
 North Macedonia 10 2 4 4 7 12 −5 20% H2H results
 Malta 8 5 2 1 14 3 +11 62% H2H results
 Mexico 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0% H2H results
 Moldova 8 6 2 0 17 3 +14 75% H2H results
 Montenegro 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 100% H2H results
H2H results*
 Morocco 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
 Netherlands 4 0 0 4 1 7 −6 0% H2H results
 Northern Ireland 9 2 2 5 5 13 −8 22% H2H results
 Norway 5 1 2 2 5 6 −1 20% H2H results
 Poland 15 2 3 10 10 20 −10 7% H2H results
 Portugal 7 1 1 5 5 13 −8 14% H2H results
 Qatar 3 2 0 1 5 3 +2 66% H2H results
 Republic of Ireland 4 0 1 3 2 6 −4 0% H2H results
 Romania[E] 19 3 3 13 12 45 −33 15% H2H results
H2H results*
 Russia 2 1 0 1 4 5 −1 50% H2H results
 Scotland 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0% H2H results
 San Marino 4 4 0 0 13 0 +13 100% H2H results
 Saudi Arabia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0% H2H results
 Serbia[F] 7 1 1 5 7 15 −8 14% H2H results
 Slovenia 7 1 2 4 2 6 −4 14% H2H results
 Spain 8 0 0 8 3 31 −28 0% H2H results
 Sweden 6 1 1 4 5 11 −6 20% H2H results
  Switzerland 7 0 1 6 4 12 −8 0% H2H results
 Turkey 12 4 2 6 14 13 +1 33% H2H results
 Ukraine 6 0 1 5 4 13 −9 0% H2H results
 Uzbekistan 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% H2H results
 Vietnam 1 1 0 0 5 0 +5 100% H2H results
 Wales 4 1 2 1 2 3 −1 25% H2H results
67 nations 384 105 80 199 369 582 −213 27% All H2H results
Notes
  1. ^ Includes match against  Algeria Olympic.
  2. ^ Includes matches against  Czechoslovakia.
  3. ^ Includes matches against  West Germany.
  4. ^ Includes awarded matches at the Euro 1964 qualifying.[86]
  5. ^ Includes matches against  Romania Olympic at 1971 Mediterranean Games qualifying.
  6. ^ Includes matches against  Yugoslavia.

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ^ The alternative name of the Albania national team that was used during this match.[57]
  2. ^ Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine are required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.[77]

References

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  74. ^ "Norvegji-Shqipëri, 3 mijë tifozë kuqezi në Oslo" [Norway-Albania, 3 thousand red&black fans in Oslo] (in Albanian). Portalb.mk. 22 March 2013. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  75. ^ Fation Shehu (24 March 2013). "Oslo kuqezi, De Biazi: Ja si i "mashtruam" norvegjezët…" [Oslo red&black, De Biasi: Here's how we “deceived” the Norwegians…] (in Albanian). Oslo: Panorama Sport. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  76. ^ "Kombëtarja e futbollit rikthehet në ekranin kampion, TV Klan blen të drejtat ekskluzive për 4 vjet" [The national football team returns to the champion screen, TV Klan buys exclusive rights for 4 years] (in Albanian). TV Klan. 9 June 2022. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  77. ^ "Decisions from today's extraordinary UEFA Executive Committee meeting". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  78. ^ "Miqësoret ndaj Kilit & Suedisë/ Trajneri Silvinjo publikon listën me emrat e 26 lojtarëve të ftuar!" [Friendlies against Chile and Sweden/ Coach Sylvinho releases the list of players with the names of the 26 players called up!] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Federation. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
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  83. ^ https://sportekspres.com/historia-e-kombetares-se-shqiperise-kur-19-vite-me-pare-luhej-ne-bahrein-per-kupen-e-kryeministrit/
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  85. ^ "Rothmans Tournament 2000 match reports". Archived from the original on 13 May 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  86. ^ "1964 European Nation's Cup Qualifying results". eu-football.info. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  87. ^ "Encounters between Albania and Kosovo". National-Football-Teams.com. 11 November 2020.
  88. ^ "Albania vs Kosovo | H2H Results". eu-football.info. 11 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
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