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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 (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA
Head coachSylvinho
CaptainBerat Gjimshiti
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, 2024)
Medal record
Men's football
Balkan Cup
Gold medal – first place 1946 Albania Team
Malta International Tournament
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. It is governed by the Albanian Football Association (FSHF), the governing body for football in Albania. It is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA in global competitions. The team's colours reference two national symbols: the double-headed eagle and the country's tricolor. Their supporters are colloquially referred to as the Tifozët Kuq e Zi (Red and Black Fans).

Since its inception as a team, Albania first collected a major tournament trophy in 1946 with the Balkan Cup, followed by the Malta International Tournament (2000). At the FIFA World Cup, Albania has campaigned to qualify since their entry into FIFA in 1932. The team has reached the group stage of UEFA European Championship twice (2016, 2024). They have competed in the UEFA Nations League since 2018.

Upon its admission into FIFA ranked 124th, Albania ascended to their peak World Ranking of 22nd in 2015. The country plays their home games in the Arena Kombëtare in their capital city, Tirana.

History

[edit]
Main article: History of the Albania national football team

20th century

[edit]
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 Association (Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit; FSHF) was created on 6 June 1930. Albania joined FIFA during a congress held between 12 and 16 June. Albania was invited to play in the 1934 World Cup, but did not take part due to logistical problems.[5] 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 reason being Albania got past the first leg against 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 European qualifiers in the playoffs. Albania would lose both matches narrowly, 2–1 in the first leg and at home in the second leg.[15][16]

Albanian stamp honouring Euro 1984.

Albania participated for the first time in a qualifying phase of a World Cup in 1966. The team was drawn in the Group 5, finishing in the last position with only one point from six matches. In the qualifiers of UEFA Euro 1968, Albania drew 0–0 against West Germany, denying the Germans a chance to participate in the finals.[17][18] Albania did not participate in World Cup 1970, UEFA Euro 1976, World Cup 1978 and UEFA Euro 1980 qualifying for unknown political reasons.

After six years without playing any international matches, Albania entered the 1982 World Cup, managing to finish second-to-last in the qualifying stages. For qualifying for the World Cup four years later, Albania beat Belgium in Tirana 2–0 as well as drawing Poland in Mielec 2–2.

21st century

[edit]

In the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, Albania only beat Greece. For the Euros two years later, Albania beat Russia 3–1 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 in home matches. Despite good results, Albania finished in the penultimate spot with only eight points. Albania defeated Greece 2–1 two months after they won Euro 2004.[20]

In Euro 2008 qualifying, Albania defeated Luxembourg twice, and 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 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 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Albania won only one match, with seven points from ten matches and Haan was replaced by Josip Kuže in May 2009 following the end of the campaign.[22] However, Kuže failed to lead Albania to better results as the team ended the Euro 2012 qualifying with nine points from ten matches. With Kuže in charge, Albania recorded its second biggest win in history by defeating Cyprus 6–1 at home.[23] Josip Kuže parted ways with Albania after three and a half years, and in December 2011, Italian coach Gianni de Biasi replaced him.[24] Albania was, at one point, second in the 2014 World Cup qualifying group, but then lost to Slovenia and Iceland, as well as at home against Switzerland, and drawing in Cyprus.[25]

Albania squad wearing the visitors' uniform, 2016.

Albania began UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group I with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal,[26][27] followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated Elbasan Arena.[28] They then beat Serbia 3–0 in a match full of incidents. They finally qualified for a Euro, its first appearance at a major men's football tournament.[29] In the tournament itself, Albania lost 1–0 to Switzerland and 2–0 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 were eliminated in the group stage.[30]

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.[31] 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.[32] Panucci would be sacked after a 2–0 defeat to Turkey in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.[33] 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.[34] In the end, Albania placed fourth in the group, failing to qualify.[35]

Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2024, their second major tournament.[36] They were drawn into a "group of death" against Spain, Italy, and Croatia, all three opponents being Euros and World Cup medalists. With two losses to Spain and Italy and a draw against Croatia, the team finished at the bottom of their group and did not advance.[37]

Albania is set to compete in the UEFA Nations League B in fall 2024, followed by qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup.

Team image

[edit]

Nicknames

[edit]

The team's nickname is commonly known as "Kuqezinjtë" ("The Red and Blacks") 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.[38]

Kits

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albania national football team kits.

Albania's uniform colors are red and black, mirroring the nation'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 1996 and lasted nine years. Nike outfitted the team during the UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. A collaboration with Adidas followed, in a contract signing which allowed it to manufacture kits for the Euro 2012 qualifiers, as well as the 2014 World Cup and the Euro 2016 qualifiers.[citation needed]

On 24 March 2016, the Albanian Football Association 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, labelled "Triumfi," was conceptualised by Tirana-based studio PIK Creative.[39][40]

 Kit wear suppliers
 
         
Germany
Adidas
(1988)
England
Umbro
(1992–93)
Germany
Uhlsport
(1994–95)
Germany
Puma
(1996–04)
England
Umbro
(2004–07)
United States
Nike
(2008–10)
Italy
Legea
(2010–12)
Germany
Adidas
(2012–16)
Italy
Macron
(2016–27)

Home stadium

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

For most of Albania's history, the home stadium was Qemal Stafa Stadium in Tirana. Construction started in April 1939 during the Italy regime, lasted for three years but stopped briefly in August 1943 following the fall of fascist regime.[41] The stadium had an Olympic Stadium shape, as idealised by Gherardo Bosio, a young fascist architect from Florence.[42] The stadium's initial capacity was 15,000, due to the fact that Tirana at that time had only 60,000 inhabitants.[42] It was named after Qemal Stafa, a Hero of Albania in World War II.[43] The stadium was inaugurated officially on 7 October 1946 when Albania played its first competitive match against Yugoslavia.[44] Ever since then, a further 130 international matches took place in the stadium, with the last being a friendly against Georgia in November 2015.[45] 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".[41] In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.[46] The stadium's demolition started in June 2016, and it was announced that it would be replaced by Arena Kombëtare.[47]

Albania has played home matches at other venues; outside Tirana, the national team has played matches in Flamurtari Stadium in Vlorë,[48] Tomori Stadium in Berat,[49] Niko Dovana Stadium in Durrës,[50] Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër[51] and Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.[52] In February 2014, renovations for Elbasan Arena (at the time Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium) started.[53] The work lasted for seven months, and the stadium was inaugurated on 9 October when Albania played a friendly match against KF Elbasani's under-19 squad; Albania won the match 17–0.[54] The official inauguration occurred two days later in the Euro 2016 qualifying match against Denmark.[55]

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.[56] The stadium's construction started in May 2015 and finished in August 2016.[57] In 2016–17, the stadium served temporary as the home of Kosovo national team, due to stadiums in Mitrovica and Pristina being renovated and not meeting UEFA standards.[58]

Rivalries

[edit]

Kosovo

[edit]
Main article: Brotherly derby

This derby is otherwise known as Brotherly derby (Albanian: Derbi vëllazëror), or the Brotherly (Albanian: Vëllazërorja). The documented beginnings of this derby date back to World War II, specifically on 29 November 1942, where they played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the independence of Albania. The match ended with a 2–0 win for Tirana.[a][60][61]

Serbia

[edit]
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 Albania, after which there was a clash between the two teams.[63]

Supporters

[edit]
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) 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]

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 Association.[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

[edit]

Results and fixtures

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]
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  3–0  Liechtenstein Szombathely, Hungary
20:00 Broja 31'
Asani 47'
Muçi 67'		 Report Stadium: Haladás Sportkomplexum
Attendance: 200
Referee: Bence Csonka (Hungary)
7 June Friendly Albania  3–1  Azerbaijan Szombathely, Hungary
19:00 Bajrami 11'
Manaj 81'
Laçi 87'		 Report Qurbanlı 90' Stadium: Haladás Sportkomplexum
Referee: Mihály Káprály (Hungary)
15 June Euro 2024 Italy  2–1  Albania Dortmund, Germany
21:00 CEST
Report
Stadium: Westfalenstadion
Attendance: 60,512
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
19 June Euro 2024 Croatia  2–2  Albania Hamburg, Germany
15:00 CEST Kramarić 74'
Gjasula 76' (o.g.)		 Report Laçi 11'
Gjasula 90+5'		 Stadium: Volksparkstadion
Attendance: 46,784
Referee: François Letexier (France)
24 June Euro 2024 Albania  0–1  Spain Düsseldorf, Germany
21:00 CEST Report
Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena
Attendance: 46,586
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
7 September 2024–25 Nations League Ukraine  1–2  Albania Prague, Czech Republic[b]
20:45
Report
Stadium: Stadion Letná
Attendance: 15,500
Referee: Luis Godinho (Portugal)
10 September 2024–25 Nations League Albania  0–1  Georgia Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report
Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 20,400
Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
11 October 2024–25 Nations League Czech Republic  2–0  Albania Prague, Czech Republic
20:45
Report Stadium: Stadion Letná
Attendance: 17,823
Referee: Benoît Bastien (France)
14 October 2024–25 Nations League Georgia  0–1  Albania Tbilisi, Georgia
18:00 (20:00 UTC+4) Report Asllani 48' Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
Attendance: 19,981
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
16 November 2024–25 Nations League Albania  v  Czech Republic Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
19 November 2024–25 Nations League Albania  v  Ukraine Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare

Coaching staff

[edit]
See also: List of Albania national football team managers

Current coaching staff

[edit]
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

[edit]
See also: List of Albania international footballers

Current squad

[edit]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Thomas Strakosha (4th captain) (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 (age 29) 35 0 Greece AEK Athens
12 1GK Elhan Kastrati (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 27) 2 0 Italy Cittadella
23 1GK Alen Sherri (1997-12-15) 15 December 1997 (age 26) 1 0 Italy Cagliari
2 2DF Iván Balliu (1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 (age 32) 15 0 Spain Rayo Vallecano
3 2DF Mario Mitaj (2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 (age 21) 21 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad
4 2DF Elseid Hysaj (captain) (1994-02-02) 2 February 1994 (age 30) 89 2 Italy Lazio
5 2DF Arlind Ajeti (1993-09-25) 25 September 1993 (age 31) 30 1 Turkey Bodrum
6 2DF Adrian Bajrami (2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Portugal Benfica
13 2DF Enea Mihaj (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 26) 19 0 Portugal Famalicão
16 2DF Andi Hadroj (1999-02-22) 22 February 1999 (age 25) 3 0 Albania Partizani
18 2DF Ardian Ismajli (vice-captain) (1996-09-30) 30 September 1996 (age 28) 42 3 Italy Empoli
8 3MF Kristjan Asllani (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 22) 27 3 Italy Inter Milan
10 3MF Nedim Bajrami (1999-02-28) 28 February 1999 (age 25) 30 5 Scotland Rangers
14 3MF Qazim Laçi (1996-01-19) 19 January 1996 (age 28) 34 4 Czech Republic Sparta Prague
17 3MF Ernest Muçi (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 (age 23) 13 3 Turkey Beşiktaş
20 3MF Ylber Ramadani (1996-04-12) 12 April 1996 (age 28) 42 1 Italy Lecce
22 3MF Amir Abrashi (3rd captain) (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 34) 50 1 Switzerland Grasshoppers
7 4FW Indrit Tuci (2000-09-14) 14 September 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Czech Republic Sparta Prague
9 4FW Jasir Asani (1995-05-19) 19 May 1995 (age 29) 20 5 South Korea Gwangju
11 4FW Myrto Uzuni (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 (age 29) 36 5 Spain Granada
15 4FW Taulant Seferi (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 28) 24 3 Turkey Bodrum
19 4FW Arbnor Muja (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) 5 0 Turkey Samsunspor
21 4FW Arbër Hoxha (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26) 10 0 Croatia Dinamo Zagreb

Recent call-ups

[edit]

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

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Simon Simoni (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Germany FC Ingolstadt v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024PRE
GK Etrit Berisha (1989-03-10) 10 March 1989 (age 35) 81 0 Unattached UEFA Euro 2024
DF Berat Gjimshiti (1993-02-19) 19 February 1993 (age 31) 61 1 Italy Atalanta v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024INJ
DF Marash Kumbulla (2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 (age 24) 22 0 Spain Espanyol v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024INJ
DF Jon Mersinaj (1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Croatia Lokomotiva v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024PRE
DF Naser Aliji (1993-12-27) 27 December 1993 (age 30) 14 0 Albania Dinamo City UEFA Euro 2024
DF Frédéric Veseli (1992-11-20) 20 November 1992 (age 31) 45 0 Albania Egnatia v.  Sweden, 25 March 2024
MF Keidi Bare (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 27) 29 2 Spain Real Zaragoza v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024INJ
MF Feta Fetai (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Croatia Lokomotiva v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024PRE
MF Adrion Pajaziti (2002-11-16) 16 November 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Croatia Gorica v.  Georgia, 14 October 2024INJ
MF Medon Berisha (2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 (age 21) 3 0 Italy Lecce v.  Georgia, 10 September 2024INJ
MF Sebastjan Spahiu (1999-10-30) 30 October 1999 (age 25) 1 0 Iran Mes Rafsanjan v.  Georgia, 10 September 2024
FW Rey Manaj (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27) 39 8 Turkey Sivasspor v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024INJ
FW Mirlind Daku (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 26) 8 1 Russia Rubin Kazan v.  Czech Republic, 16 November 2024SUS
FW Armando Broja (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 23) 23 5 England Everton v.  Ukraine, 7 September 2024INJ
FW Agim Zeka (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Albania Partizani v.  Ukraine, 7 September 2024PRE
FW Arbnor Muçolli (1999-09-15) 15 September 1999 (age 25) 6 0 Sweden Göteborg v.  Sweden, 25 March 2024INJ
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
  • INJ = It is not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • SUS = It is not available in next match due to red card suspension.

Records

[edit]
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 11 October 2024.[80]
Players in bold are still active with Albania.

Most appearances

[edit]
Lorik Cana is Albania's most capped player with 93 appearances.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Lorik Cana 93 1 2003–2016
2 Elseid Hysaj 89 2 2013–present
3 Etrit Berisha 81 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 2011–2023

Top goalscorers

[edit]
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 2014–2024
Ervin Skela 13 75 0.17 2000–2011
5 Armando Sadiku 12 39 0.31 2012–2023
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

[edit]

FIFA World Cup

[edit]
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

[edit]
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 Group stage 21st 3 0 1 2 3 5 Squad 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 6 1 1 4 4 8 — 14/17 111 26 26 59 100 177

UEFA Nations League

[edit]
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

[edit]
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

[edit]
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 Bahrain Shoot Soccer Tournament
2002[82][83] Third place 3rd 3 0 2 1 1 4
Total Best: Champions 6/6 19 6 6 7 18 27 —

FIFA rankings

[edit]

As of December 2022[84]

Legend:   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

Head-to-head record

[edit]
As of 14 October 2024 after the match against Georgia.
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 6 4 1 1 8 4 +4 67% 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
 Croatia 1 0 1 0 2 2 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] 9 3 1 5 11 16 −7 33.33% 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 17 4 4 9 14 24 −10 27.78% 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 5 0 0 5 2 9 −7 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[61][86][87]
 Latvia 5 0 5 0 6 6 0 0% H2H results
 Liechtenstein 5 5 0 0 12 0 +12 100% 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 9 0 0 9 3 32 −29 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 7 1 1 5 6 14 −8 14% 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
68 nations 394 110 81 203 384 592 −208 27.91% 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.[85]
  5. ^ Includes matches against  Romania Olympic at 1971 Mediterranean Games qualifying.
  6. ^ Includes matches against  Yugoslavia.

Honours

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

Regional

[edit]

Friendly

[edit]

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albania national football team kits.

Notes and references

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The alternative name of the Albania national team that was used during this match.[59]
  2. ^ Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine are required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.[77]

References

[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albania national football team.
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