Albania national football team

20th century

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]

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]

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.

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 29 January 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 (2016–present)

Coat of arms

Description

Home red; visitor white; alternate grey

2016–17 jersey model The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) and new technical partner Macron unveiled the Albania EURO 2016 home, visitor and alternate kits at a ceremonious event held in Tirana on Thursday, 24 March 2016. In home red, visitor white and alternate dark grey, the first ever Albania kits provided by Italian sportswear company Macron all use the same design. Featuring what can be described as a distinctive “Korean” collar and 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.

Home stadium

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

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

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

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.

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

Previous

Broadcaster	Television channel	Period
Albanian Radio Television		until 2022
Radio Television of Kosovo	RTK 1

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

Poland  v  Albania

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)

Albania  v  Moldova

17 June Euro 2024 qualifying	Albania	2–0	Moldova	Tirana, Albania
20:45	Asani 52' Bajrami 76'	Report		Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Attendance: 20,944 Referee: Dennis Higler (Netherlands)

Faroe Islands  v  Albania

20 June Euro 2024 qualifying	Faroe Islands	1–3	Albania	Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
20:45 (19:45 UTC+1)	Færø 45+1'	Report	Bajrami 20' Asllani 51' Muçi 90+1'	Stadium: Tórsvøllur Attendance: 2,507 Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (Cyprus)

Czech Republic  v  Albania

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)

Albania  v  Poland

10 September Euro 2024 qualifying	Albania	2–0	Poland	Tirana, Albania
20:45	Asani 37' Daku 62'	Report		Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Attendance: 21,900 Referee: José María Sánchez (Spain)

Albania  v  Czech Republic

12 October Euro 2024 qualifying	Albania	3–0	Czech Republic	Tirana, Albania
20:45	Asani 9' Seferi 51', 73'	Report		Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Attendance: 20,917 Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)

Albania  v  Bulgaria

17 October Friendly	Albania	2–0	Bulgaria	Tirana, Albania
16:30	Laçi 41' Muçi 81'	Report		Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Attendance: 17,232 Referee: Mervan Bejtullahu (Kosovo)

Moldova  v  Albania

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)

Albania  v  Faroe Islands

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

Albania  v  Chile

22 March Friendly	Albania	0–3	Chile	Parma, Italy
20:45 UTC+1		Report	Vargas 19' Bolados 83' Dávila 90+2'	Stadium: Stadio Ennio Tardini Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Luca Pairetto (Italy)

Sweden  v  Albania

25 March Friendly	Sweden	1–0	Albania	Solna, Sweden
19:00 UTC+1	Nilsson 62'	Report		Stadium: Friends Arena Referee: Marcel Bîrsan (Romania)

Albania  v  Liechtenstein

3 June Friendly	Albania	v	Liechtenstein	Szombathely, Hungary
20:00		Report		Stadium: Haladás Sportkomplexum

Albania  v  Azerbaijan

7 June Friendly	Albania	v	Azerbaijan	Szombathely, Hungary
19:00		Report		Stadium: Haladás Sportkomplexum

Italy  v  Albania

15 June Euro 2024	Italy	v	Albania	Dortmund, Germany
21:00 CEST		Report		Stadium: Westfalenstadion

Croatia  v  Albania

19 June Euro 2024	Croatia	v	Albania	Hamburg, Germany
15:00 CEST		Report		Stadium: Volksparkstadion

Albania  v  Spain

24 June Euro 2024	Albania	v	Spain	Düsseldorf, Germany
21:00 CEST		Report		Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena

Ukraine  v  Albania

7 September 2024–25 Nations League	Ukraine	v	Albania	TBD[b]
20:45		Report

Albania  v  Georgia

10 September 2024–25 Nations League	Albania	v	Georgia	Tirana, Albania
20:45		Report		Stadium: Arena Kombëtare

Czech Republic  v  Albania

11 October 2024–25 Nations League	Czech Republic	v	Albania	Czech Republic
20:45		Report

Georgia  v  Albania

14 October 2024–25 Nations League	Georgia	v	Albania	Georgia
18:00 (20:00 UTC+4)		Report

Albania  v  Czech Republic

16 November 2024–25 Nations League	Albania	v	Czech Republic	Tirana, Albania
20:45		Report		Stadium: Arena Kombëtare

Albania  v  Ukraine

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

Current coaching staff

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

Current squad

• The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Chile and Sweden, on 22 and 25 March 2024.^[78]
• Caps and goals are correct as of 22 March 2024 after the match against Sweden.^[79]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Alen Sherri	(1997-12-15) 15 December 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Egnatia
12	1GK	Elhan Kastrati	(1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 27)	2	0	Cittadella
23	1GK	Thomas Strakosha (3rd captain)	(1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 (age 29)	27	0	Brentford
2	2DF	Iván Balliu	(1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 (age 32)	12	0	Rayo Vallecano
3	2DF	Mario Mitaj	(2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 (age 20)	12	0	Lokomotiv Moscow
4	2DF	Elseid Hysaj (vice-captain)	(1994-02-02) 2 February 1994 (age 30)	83	2	Lazio
5	2DF	Frédéric Veseli	(1992-11-20) 20 November 1992 (age 31)	45	0	Fatih Karagümrük
6	2DF	Berat Gjimshiti (captain)	(1993-02-19) 19 February 1993 (age 31)	57	1	Atalanta
13	2DF	Enea Mihaj	(1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 25)	17	0	Famalicão
18	2DF	Jon Mersinaj	(1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 25)	1	0	Lokomotiva
24	2DF	Marash Kumbulla	(2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 (age 24)	18	0	Sassuolo
25	2DF	Naser Aliji	(1993-12-27) 27 December 1993 (age 30)	13	0	Voluntari
7	3MF	Keidi Bare	(1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 26)	29	2	Espanyol
10	3MF	Nedim Bajrami	(1999-02-28) 28 February 1999 (age 25)	21	3	Sassuolo
14	3MF	Qazim Laçi	(1996-01-19) 19 January 1996 (age 28)	25	2	Sparta Prague
20	3MF	Ylber Ramadani	(1996-04-12) 12 April 1996 (age 28)	34	1	Lecce
21	3MF	Kristjan Asllani	(2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 22)	18	2	Inter Milan
8	4FW	Rey Manaj	(1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 27)	32	7	Sivasspor
9	4FW	Jasir Asani	(1995-05-19) 19 May 1995 (age 28)	11	3	Gwangju FC
15	4FW	Taulant Seferi	(1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 27)	18	3	Baniyas
16	4FW	Sokol Cikalleshi	(1990-07-27) 27 July 1990 (age 33)	60	13	Konyaspor
17	4FW	Ernest Muçi	(2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 (age 23)	9	2	Beşiktaş
19	4FW	Arbnor Muçolli	(1999-09-15) 15 September 1999 (age 24)	6	0	IFK Göteborg
22	4FW	Armando Broja	(2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 22)	19	4	Fulham
26	4FW	Arbër Hoxha	(1998-10-06) 6 October 1998 (age 25)	2	0	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	Empoli	v.  Chile, 22 March 2024INJ
GK	Simon Simoni	(2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 19)	0	0	Eintracht Frankfurt	v.  Moldova, 17 June 2023U21
DF	Ardian Ismajli	(1996-09-30) 30 September 1996 (age 27)	36	2	Empoli	v.  Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023INJ
DF	Arlind Ajeti	(1993-09-25) 25 September 1993 (age 30)	24	1	CFR Cluj	v.  Moldova, 17 November 2023INJ
DF	Andi Hadroj	(1999-02-22) 22 February 1999 (age 25)	3	0	Partizani	v.  Moldova, 17 June 2023
DF	Adrian Bajrami	(2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 (age 22)	3	0	Benfica	v.  Moldova, 17 June 2023U21
MF	Klaus Gjasula	(1989-12-14) 14 December 1989 (age 34)	27	0	Darmstadt 98	v.  Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023
MF	Odise Roshi	(1991-05-21) 21 May 1991 (age 32)	71	5	Sakaryaspor	v.  Poland, 10 September 2023
MF	Amir Abrashi	(1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 34)	50	1	Grasshoppers	v.  Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
MF	Anis Mehmeti	(2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 23)	3	0	Bristol City	v.  Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
FW	Myrto Uzuni	(1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 (age 28)	35	5	Granada	v.  Chile, 22 March 2024INJ
FW	Mirlind Daku	(1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 (age 26)	5	1	Rubin Kazan	v.  Faroe Islands, 20 November 2023
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 22)	1	0	Frosinone	v.  Bulgaria, 17 October 2023
FW	Armando Sadiku	(1991-05-27) 27 May 1991 (age 32)	39	12	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.

As of 20 November 2023.^[80]

Players in bold are still active with Albania.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

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
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

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	Qualified										1st	8	4	3	1	12	4
2028	To be determined										To be determined
2032
Total	Group stage	2/17	3	1	0	2	1	3	—		14/17	111	26	26	59	100	177

Albania's European Championship record
First match	Albania 0–1 Switzerland  (Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens, France; 11 June 2016)
Biggest win	Romania 0–1 Albania  (Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon, France; 19 June 2016)
Biggest defeat	France 2–0 Albania  (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France; 15 June 2016)
Best result	Group stage (2016)
Worst result

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		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

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

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[82][83]
2002	Champions	3rd	3	0	2	1	1	4
Total	Best: Champions	6/6	19	6	6	7	18	27	—

As of December 2022Source:^[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	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

• Balkan Cup
  • Champions (1): 1946
• Malta International Football Tournament
  • Champions (1): 2000^[85]

As of 25 March 2024 after the match against Sweden.

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

• Albanian Football Federation
• Football in Albania
• Albania national youth football team
• Albania national under-23 football team (defunct)
• Albania national under-21 football team
• Albania national under-20 football team
• Albania national under-19 football team
• Albania national under-18 football team
• Albania national under-17 football team
• Albania national under-16 football team
• Albania national under-15 football team

Notes

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albania national association football team.

• Official website (in Albanian)
• Albania at UEFA
• Albania at FIFA
• Tifozat Kuq e Zi / Red and Black Fan Club
• RSSSF – Albania national football team international matches
• Stadia in Albania Archived 24 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine