Albania national football 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).

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)

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

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20th century

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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

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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

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Nicknames

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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

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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
 
         
 
Adidas
(1988)
 
Umbro
(1992–93)
 
Uhlsport
(1994–95)
 
Puma
(1996–04)
 
Umbro
(2004–07)
 
Nike
(2008–10)
 
Legea
(2010–12)
 
Adidas
(2012–16)
 
Macron
(2016–27)

Home stadium

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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

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Kosovo

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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

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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

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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

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Results and fixtures

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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

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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

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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)
19 November 2024–25 Nations League Albania   v   Ukraine Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare

Coaching staff

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Current coaching staff

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

Players

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Current squad

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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   AEK Athens
12 1GK Elhan Kastrati (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 27) 2 0   Cittadella
23 1GK Alen Sherri (1997-12-15) 15 December 1997 (age 26) 1 0   Cagliari

2 2DF Iván Balliu (1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 (age 32) 15 0   Rayo Vallecano
3 2DF Mario Mitaj (2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 (age 21) 21 0   Al-Ittihad
4 2DF Elseid Hysaj (captain) (1994-02-02) 2 February 1994 (age 30) 89 2   Lazio
5 2DF Arlind Ajeti (1993-09-25) 25 September 1993 (age 31) 30 1   Bodrum
6 2DF Marash Kumbulla (2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 (age 24) 22 0   Espanyol
13 2DF Enea Mihaj (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 26) 19 0   Famalicão
16 2DF Andi Hadroj (1999-02-22) 22 February 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Partizani
18 2DF Ardian Ismajli (vice-captain) (1996-09-30) 30 September 1996 (age 28) 42 3   Empoli

7 3MF Feta Fetai (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Lokomotiva
8 3MF Kristjan Asllani (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 22) 27 3   Inter Milan
10 3MF Nedim Bajrami (1999-02-28) 28 February 1999 (age 25) 30 5   Rangers
14 3MF Qazim Laçi (1996-01-19) 19 January 1996 (age 28) 34 4   Sparta Prague
17 3MF Ernest Muçi (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 (age 23) 13 3   Beşiktaş
20 3MF Ylber Ramadani (1996-04-12) 12 April 1996 (age 28) 42 1   Lecce
22 3MF Amir Abrashi (3rd captain) (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 34) 50 1   Grasshoppers

9 4FW Jasir Asani (1995-05-19) 19 May 1995 (age 29) 20 5   Gwangju
11 4FW Indrit Tuci (2000-09-14) 14 September 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Sparta Prague
15 4FW Taulant Seferi (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 27) 24 3   Bodrum
19 4FW Mirlind Daku (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 26) 8 1   Rubin Kazan
21 4FW Arbër Hoxha (1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 26) 10 0   Dinamo Zagreb

Recent call-ups

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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   FC Ingolstadt v.   Georgia, 10 September 2024U21
GK Etrit Berisha (1989-03-10) 10 March 1989 (age 35) 81 0 Unattached v.   Spain, 24 June 2024

DF Berat Gjimshiti (1993-02-19) 19 February 1993 (age 31) 61 1   Atalanta v.   Czech Republic, 11 October 2024INJ
DF Adrian Bajrami (2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 (age 22) 3 0   Benfica v.   Georgia, 10 September 2024U21
DF Naser Aliji (1993-12-27) 27 December 1993 (age 30) 14 0   Dinamo City v.   Spain, 24 June 2024
DF Frédéric Veseli (1992-11-20) 20 November 1992 (age 31) 45 0   Egnatia v.   Sweden, 25 March 2024
DF Jon Mersinaj (1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Lokomotiva v.   Sweden, 25 March 2024

MF Adrion Pajaziti (2002-11-16) 16 November 2002 (age 21) 0 0   Gorica v.   Georgia, 14 October 2024SUS
MF Medon Berisha (2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 (age 21) 3 0   Lecce v.   Georgia, 10 September 2024INJ
MF Sebastjan Spahiu (1999-10-30) 30 October 1999 (age 25) 1 0   Mes Rafsanjan v.   Georgia, 10 September 2024
MF Keidi Bare (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 27) 29 2   Real Zaragoza v.   Sweden, 25 March 2024INJ

FW Myrto Uzuni (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 (age 29) 36 5   Granada v.   Czech Republic, 11 October 2024INJ
FW Rey Manaj (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27) 39 8   Sivasspor v.   Georgia, 10 September 2024INJ
FW Armando Broja (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 23) 23 5   Everton v.   Ukraine, 7 September 2024INJ
FW Agim Zeka (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 26) 0 0   Partizani v.   Ukraine, 7 September 2024PRE
FW Arbnor Muçolli (1999-09-15) 15 September 1999 (age 25) 6 0   Göteborg v.   Sweden, 25 March 2024INJ
FW Arbnor Muja (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) 5 0   Samsunspor v.   Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023
FW Marvin Çuni (2001-07-10) 10 July 2001 (age 23) 1 0   Rubin Kazan v.   Bulgaria, 17 October 2023

Notes
  • U21 = Was called up from national U21 team.
  • 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.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Records

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

Most appearances

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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

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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

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos. Pld W D L GF GA
  1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  1934 to   1962 Did not participate Did not participate
  1966 Did not qualify 4th 6 0 1 5 2 12
  1970 Entry not accepted[81] Entry not accepted
  1974 Did not qualify 4th 6 1 0 5 3 13
  1978 Did not participate Did not participate
  1982 Did not qualify 4th 8 1 0 7 4 22
  1986 3rd 6 1 2 3 6 9
  1990 4th 6 0 0 6 3 15
  1994 7th 12 1 2 9 6 26
  1998 6th 10 1 1 8 7 20
    2002 5th 8 1 0 7 5 14
  2006 5th 12 4 1 7 11 20
  2010 5th 10 1 4 5 6 13
  2014 5th 10 3 2 5 9 11
  2018 3rd 10 4 1 5 10 13
  2022 3rd 10 6 0 4 12 12
      2026 To be determined To be determined
      2030
  2034
Total 0/21 0 0 0 0 0 0 13/21 114 24 14 76 84 200

UEFA European Championship

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UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos. Pld W D L GF GA
  1960 Did not participate Did not participate
  1964 Did not qualify Round of 16 4 3 0 1 7 4
  1968 3rd 4 0 1 3 0 12
  1972 4th 6 1 1 4 5 9
  1976 Did not participate Did not participate
  1980
  1984 Did not qualify 5th 8 0 2 6 4 14
  1988 4th 6 0 0 6 2 17
  1992 5th 7 1 0 6 2 21
  1996 6th 10 2 2 6 10 16
    2000 5th 10 1 4 5 8 14
  2004 4th 8 2 2 4 11 15
    2008 5th 12 2 5 5 12 18
    2012 5th 10 2 3 5 7 14
  2016 Group stage 18th 3 1 0 2 1 3 Squad 2nd 8 4 2 2 10 5
  2020 Did not qualify 4th 10 4 1 5 16 14
  2024 Group stage 21st 3 0 1 2 3 5 Squad 1st 8 4 3 1 12 4
    2028 To be determined To be determined
    2032
Total Group stage 2/17 6 1 1 4 4 8 14/17 111 26 26 59 100 177

UEFA Nations League

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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   34th   2019 Did not qualify
2020–21 C 4 1st 6 3 2 1 8 4   35th   2021
2022–23 B 2 3rd 4 0 2 2 4 6   27th   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

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Olympic Games record Qualification record
Year Result Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos. Pld W D L GF GA
  1908 to   1936 Team did not exist Team did not exist
  1948 to   1960 Did not participate Did not participate
  1964 Did not qualify PR 2 0 0 2 0 2
  1968 Did not participate Did not participate
  1972 Did not qualify PO 2 0 0 2 2 4
  1976 to   1988 Did not participate Did not participate
Since   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

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Year Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Balkan Cup
  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 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
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

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

Head-to-head record

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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

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

Regional

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Friendly

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See also

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Notes and references

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Notes

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  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

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