Albania national under-19 football team

Albania Under-19
Nickname(s)	Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Association	Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
Confederation	UEFA
Head coach	Julian Ahmataj
Captain	Ernesto Bakiu
Most caps	Arlind Kurti (17); Ernest Muçi (17)
Top scorer	Ernest Muçi (7)
Home stadium	Elbasan Arena; Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA code	ALB
First international
	Albania 1–8 Netherlands ; (Capbreton, France; 10 November 2001)
Biggest win
	Albania 4–0 Malta ; (Seitenstetten, Austria; 10 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
	France 9–0 Albania ; (Moscow, Russia; 6 September 2002)
WAFF U-19 Championship
Appearances	1 (first in 2024)
Best result	Group stage (2024)

The Albania national under-19 football team represents Albania in international football at this age level in the UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, as well as any other under-19 international football tournaments. It is controlled by Albanian Football Association, the governing body for football in Albania.

History

Before 2002, the event was classified as a U-18 tournament.

UEFA European Under-19 Championship record									UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification record						Manager(s)
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D *	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Manager(s)
2002	did not qualify								3	0	1	2	2	14	Petrit Haxhia
2003	did not qualify								3	0	0	3	1	16	Haxhia
2004	did not qualify								3	0	1	2	1	3	Haxhia
2005	did not qualify								6	2	1	3	7	14	Haxhia
2006	did not qualify								3	0	0	3	2	8	Haxhia
2007	did not qualify								3	2	0	1	5	4	Ramadan Shehu
2008	did not qualify								6	1	2	3	4	9	Shehu
2009	did not qualify								3	0	0	3	1	10	Shehu
2010	did not qualify								3	1	0	2	4	8	Nevil Dede
2011	did not qualify								3	0	1	2	1	8	Shehu
2012	did not qualify								3	1	1	1	4	1	Skënder Gega
2013	did not qualify								3	1	0	2	3	6	Foto Strakosha
2014	did not qualify								3	0	2	1	2	3	Strakosha
2015	did not qualify								3	0	0	3	2	7	Altin Lala
2016	did not qualify								3	1	0	2	3	8	Arjan Bellaj
2017	did not qualify								3	1	0	2	3	4	Bellaj
2018	did not qualify								3	0	0	3	1	9	Erjon Bogdani
2019	did not qualify								3	0	0	3	0	5	Bogdani
~~2020~~	Tournament was cancelled								3	0	0	3	4	11	Dede
~~2021~~	Tournament was cancelled								Tournament was cancelled						Armando Cungu
2022	did not qualify								3	1	1	1	5	7	Cungu
2023	did not qualify								2	0	0	2	1	8	Cungu
2024	did not qualify								3	0	0	3	1	6	Ervin Bulku
2025	To be determined								To be determined						Julian Ahmataj
2026	To be determined								To be determined
2027	To be determined								To be determined
Total									71	11	10	50	57	169

WAFF U-19 Championship
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2024	Group stages	3	1	1	1	3	4
Total	Gropstage	3	1	1	1	3	4

Recent results

20 March 2024 (2024-03-20) Friendly	Malta	0–1	Albania	Ta' Qali
19:30		Report	Prendi 49'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Slawomir Olucha (Malta)

22 March 2024 (2024-03-22) Friendly	Malta	2–2	Albania	Ta' Qali
19:30	Xerri 75' Camilleri 90+5'	Report	Tosku 18' Myrta 89'	Stadium: Centenary Stadium Referee: Slawomir Olucha (Malta)

6 June 2024 (2024-06-06) Friendly	Albania	2–0	Kosovo	Rrogozhinë
18:00	Sulejmani 6', 9'	Report		Stadium: Egnatia Arena

8 June 2024 (2024-06-08) Friendly	Albania	2–5	Kosovo	Rrogozhinë
18:00	Sulejmani 45' Tosku 77'	Report	Selishta 10', 27' Hoti 12' Shupla 80' Gashi 90+5'	Stadium: Egnatia Arena

26 June 2024 (2024-06-26) 2024 WAFF U-19 Championship	Lebanon	0-2	Albania	Taif
21:00		Report	Krasniqi 45+3' Jaku 69'	Stadium: Okadh Sport Club Stadium

28 June 2024 (2024-06-28) 2024 WAFF U-19 Championship	Albania	1-1	Iraq	Taif
17:00	Sulejmani 69'	Report	H. Adnan 56'	Stadium: Okadh Sport Club Stadium

30 June 2024 (2024-06-30) 2024 WAFF U-19 Championship	Jordan	3–0	Albania	Riyadh
17:00	Sabra 22', 76' Al-Khob 90+2'	Report		Stadium: King Fahd

9 August 2024 (2024-08-09) Friendly	Albania	4–0	Liechtenstein	Tiranë
17:30	Malaj 19', 50' Prendi 45' Hasani 51'	Report		Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit

11 August 2024 (2024-08-11) Friendly	Albania	6–0	Liechtenstein	Tiranë
10:00	Belloj 27' Bastari 39' Tosku 47' Malaj 54' Noreci 65' Duro 69'	Report		Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit

6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) Friendly	Turkey	1–0	Albania	Riva
	Usluoğlu 53'	Report		Stadium: TFF Riva Facility

8 September 2024 (2024-09-08) Friendly	Turkey	1–0	Albania	Riva
	Ünyay 84'	Report		Stadium: TFF Riva Facility

11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) Friendly	Montenegro	v	Albania	Podgorica
				Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium

13 October 2024 (2024-10-13) Friendly	Albania	v	Montenegro	Shkodër
				Stadium: Reshit Rusi Stadium

13 November 2024 (2024-11-13) 2025 UEFA Q	Israel	v	Albania	Elbasan
				Stadium: Elbasan Arena

16 November 2024 (2024-11-16) 2025 UEFA Q	Denmark	v	Albania	Elbasan
				Stadium: Elbasan Arena

19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 UEFA Q	Albania	v	Northern Ireland	Elbasan
				Stadium: Elbasan Arena

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly matches.^[1]
Match dates: 11–13 October 2024
Opposition: Montenegro
Caps and goals correct as of: 8 September 2024, after the match against Turkey
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	Amarildo Dervishaj	(2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 (age 18)	6	0	Kukësi
1GK	Henri Bega	(2006-12-23) 23 December 2006 (age 17)	0	0	Apolonia U19
1GK	Alain Taho	(2007-04-30) 30 April 2007 (age 17)	0	0	Inter U20

2DF	Adi Kurti	(2006-01-17) 17 January 2006 (age 18)	16	1	Hellas Verona U21
2DF	Fabjan Përndreca	(2005-12-06) 6 December 2005 (age 18)	11	0	Bylisi
2DF	Antonis Dhama	(2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 (age 18)	7	0	Olympiacos U19
2DF	Denis Prendi	(2006-08-06) 6 August 2006 (age 18)	6	1	Cremonese U20
2DF	Kleo Shpuza	(2007-01-07) 7 January 2007 (age 17)	4	0	Udinese U20
2DF	Ernesto Bakiu	(2006-01-15) 15 January 2006 (age 18)	3	0	Teuta U19

3MF	Dean Vraniçi	(2006-01-02) 2 January 2006 (age 18)	15	0	Parma U19
3MF	Jordi Jaku	(2006-03-27) 27 March 2006 (age 18)	13	1	Tirana U19
3MF	Glenis Belloj	(2006-05-30) 30 May 2006 (age 18)	7	1	Tirana U19
3MF	Mattia Huqi	(2007-06-21) 21 June 2007 (age 17)	3	1	Empoli U20
3MF	Klaus Kashari	(2006-10-11) 11 October 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Imolese U19
3MF	Matteo Dashi	(2007-01-22) 22 January 2007 (age 17)	0	0	Crystal Palace U18

4FW	Flavio Sulejmani	(2006-03-20) 20 March 2006 (age 18)	18	7	Lazio U20
4FW	Dejvi Duro	(2006-05-04) 4 May 2006 (age 18)	11	1	Dinamo City U19
4FW	Ron Hasani	(2006-01-31) 31 January 2006 (age 18)	8	1	CZ Zena U19
4FW	Briajan Gjyla	(2007-07-26) 26 July 2007 (age 17)	5	0	Feralpisalò
4FW	Xheto Joi Nuredini	(2007-08-05) 5 August 2007 (age 17)	2	0	Genoa U20
4FW	Aris Ara	(2006-05-17) 17 May 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Vllaznia U19

Recent call-ups

Following are listed players called up in the previous 12 months that are still eligible to represent Under 19 team.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Aizak Babe	(2006-09-05) 5 September 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Tirana U19	v. Turkey, 8 September 2024
GK	Alesio Pano	(2006-03-16) 16 March 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Roda JC U19	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
GK	Klevi Totoshi	(2005-05-21) 21 May 2005 (age 19)	6	0	Elbasani	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
GK	Giulio Veliaj	(2005-04-01) 1 April 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Cesena	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
GK	Gabriel Guri	(2006-03-24) 24 March 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Le Havre B	v. Kosovo, 8 June 2024
GK	Tomas Kiri	(2005-01-02) 2 January 2005 (age 19)	6	0	United Riccione	v. Slovenia, 21 November 2023

DF	Muhadin Sulejmani	(2006-04-04) 4 April 2006 (age 18)	5	0	St. Kickers U19	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
DF	Ergi Bastari	(2006-07-23) 23 July 2006 (age 18)	2	1	Tuttocuoio	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
DF	Renato Halili	(2007-10-25) 25 October 2007 (age 16)	2	0	Südtirol U19	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
DF	Ermal Meta	(2005-06-20) 20 June 2005 (age 19)	11	0	Tirana	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024^U21
DF	Klevis Haxhari	(2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19)	10	0	New York City II	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
DF	Denis Sulo	(2005-11-20) 20 November 2005 (age 18)	3	0	Partizani U19	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
DF	Rigers Sulaj	(2005-03-11) 11 March 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Tirana U19	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
DF	Samuele Sina	(2007-02-14) 14 February 2007 (age 17)	4	0	Feralpisalò U19	v. Kosovo, 8 June 2024
DF	Albi Koleci	(2006-02-06) 6 February 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Dinamo City U19	v. Kosovo, 8 June 2024
DF	Eltion Misini	(2007-05-09) 9 May 2007 (age 17)	1	0	Ferizaj	v. Malta, 22 March 2024
DF	Arlind Kurti	(2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 19)	16	0	Laçi	v. Slovenia, 21 November 2023
DF	Elton Fikaj	(2005-10-18) 18 October 2005 (age 18)	10	0	Panathinaikos	v. Slovenia, 21 November 2023^U21
DF	Ardit Nuredini	(2005-03-11) 11 March 2005 (age 19)	5	1	Giugliano	v. Slovenia, 21 November 2023

MF	Frederik Tosku	(2006-02-05) 5 February 2006 (age 18)	10	3	Cesena U20	v. Turkey, 8 September 2024
MF	Ergis Arifi	(2007-01-11) 11 January 2007 (age 17)	9	0	Teuta	v. Turkey, 8 September 2024^INJ
MF	Kledi Marinaj	(2006-03-07) 7 March 2006 (age 18)	3	0	Lazio U20	v. Turkey, 8 September 2024
MF	Ledion Bendo	(2006-12-27) 27 December 2006 (age 17)	4	0	Teuta U19	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
MF	Jamie Noreci	(2007-09-06) 6 September 2007 (age 17)	2	1	Burnley U18	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
MF	Oresti Kasmollari	(2005-06-03) 3 June 2005 (age 19)	11	0	Pogradeci	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
MF	Ersi Zaganjori	(2005-03-08) 8 March 2005 (age 19)	7	0	Vllaznia	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
MF	Ledjo Tresa	(2005-07-25) 25 July 2005 (age 19)	7	0	Laçi	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
MF	Ersi Syla	(2005-03-27) 27 March 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Teuta	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
MF	Xhoel Hajdari	(2006-01-03) 3 January 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Sora	v. Kosovo, 8 June 2024
MF	Altin Aliji	(2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Ballkani	v. Kosovo, 8 June 2024

FW	Ersi Bode	(2006-02-14) 14 February 2006 (age 18)	9	0	ADO U21	v. Turkey, 8 September 2024
FW	Dejvi Metaj	(2006-01-29) 29 January 2006 (age 18)	4	0	Lecce U20	v. Turkey, 8 September 2024
FW	Tedi Malaj	(2007-07-02) 2 July 2007 (age 17)	2	3	Partizani	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
FW	Ariel Krajka	(2006-09-27) 27 September 2006 (age 18)	2	0	Tirana U19	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
FW	Oresti Rifa	(2007-02-08) 8 February 2007 (age 17)	0	0	Partizani	v. Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
FW	Olsi Myrta	(2006-01-20) 20 January 2006 (age 18)	4	1	Laçi	v. Liechtenstein, 9 August 2024^INJ
FW	Erald Krasniqi	(2005-09-03) 3 September 2005 (age 19)	11	2	Heerenveen U21	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
FW	Devit Demircani	(2005-02-07) 7 February 2005 (age 19)	3	0	Teuta	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
FW	Arlind Leshi	(2005-12-01) 1 December 2005 (age 18)	0	0	Flamurtari	v. Jordan, 30 June 2024
FW	Luis Buzi	(2005-07-24) 24 July 2005 (age 19)	3	0	Monza U20	v. Slovenia, 21 November 2023

Notes

^INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.
^U21 = Was called up from national under-21 squad.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:^[2]

Position	Name
Head coach	Julian Ahmataj
Assistant coach	Agron Kërçova
Goalkeeping coach	Ervis Kotorri
Team doctor	Mehmet Buzmexhani
Physiotherapists	Tedi Maqellara
Athletic preparator	Ardit Gjikola
Video analyst	Martin Lulgjuraj
Team manager	David Grudaj
Equipment manager	Lusios Sina

References

^ "Miqësoret me Turqinë/ Trajneri Ahmataj publikon listën e Shqipërisë U-19, grumbullon 20 lojtarë" (in Albanian). Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
^ Kombëtarja U-19 (Albania national under-19 team) FSHF.org

External links

Albania under-19 football team at UEFA.com
Albania under-19 at Soccerway

[1] "Miqësoret me Turqinë/ Trajneri Ahmataj publikon listën e Shqipërisë U-19, grumbullon 20 lojtarë" (in Albanian). Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.

[2] Kombëtarja U-19 (Albania national under-19 team) FSHF.org

[1]

[2]