sport.wikisort.org - Team

Search / Calendar

Albania
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachIlir Daja
CaptainEtrit Berisha
Most capsLorik Cana (93)
Top scorerErjon Bogdani (18)
Home stadiumArena Kombëtare
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 66 (25 August 2022)[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
Appearances1 (first in 2016)
Best resultGroup stage (2016)
Medal record
Men's football
Balkan Cup
1946 AlbaniaTeam
Malta International
2000 AlbaniaTeam
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Albania women's national football team.

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

Albania competes in the three major international football tournaments; the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship and UEFA Nations League. Albania was the winner of the 1946 Balkan Cup and the 2000 Malta Rothmans International Tournament. At Euro 2016, Albania made its second appearance at a major men's football tournament after 50 years.

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

The colours of the team are red, white and black, and the double headed eagle its symbol. Its supporters are collectively known as the Tifozët Kuq e Zi and display as well as the country's national flag colours, red and black.

In 2020, Albania won for the first time a group by finishing first in group 4 of UEFA Nations League C and has been promoted in UEFA Nations League B.


History


See also: History of the Albania national football team

20th century


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

Although it never played any matches, the Albanian 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 June 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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6][7] At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.[8][9][10] Albania participated at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the Men's qualification tournament, and closely lost both matches against Bulgaria in the Preliminary round.[11] 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 loss both matches close with 2–1 in the first leg and 1–2 at home in the second leg.[12][13]

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.[14][15] 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


Lorik Cana is Albania's most capped player of all time. He captained the French Olympique de Marseille as well as the team.
Lorik Cana is Albania's most capped player of all time. He captained the French Olympique de Marseille as well as the team.

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.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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.[19] 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.[20]

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.[21] 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.[22] Albania started the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2016 with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal,[23] which was followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated stadium Elbasan Arena.[24] 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.[25] 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.[26]

Following the almost successful UEFA European Championship's, Albania suffered massive setback. In 2018 World Cup qualification, Albania failed to qualify and finished in 3rd, which was, however, their best result in history. During this era, their successful manager, Gianni De Biasi, resigned and Christian Panucci, another Italian, replaced him as coach of Albania.[27] However, things were little improved. Albania played poorly in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, winning only to Israel 1–0 and lost the remaining three, especially the devastating 0–4 defeat to Scotland at home.[28] Panucci would be sacked after a 0–2 defeat to Turkey in the opening campaign for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.[29] Another Italian, Edoardo Reja, was appointed to help Albania to improve in a tough group,[30] but improvement is still very little. Albania failed to qualify to UEFA Euro 2020, archiving just a disappointing 4th place.[31]


Team image



Nicknames


The Albania national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Kuq e Zinjtë" ("The Red and Blacks") and "Shqiponjat" ("The Eagles"). In addition to the official nickname, the Albania national team had another nickname as:


Kits


Albania home kit at 2016–17 season.
Albania home kit at 2016–17 season.

Albania' colours 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 trim. In the 2000s, Albania signed with German sportswear company Puma and was the first kit supplier of Albania in the 21st century. On 29 January 2016, Albania signed Italian sportswear company Macron, which continues to be Albania's kit.[33]


Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier Period Contract
Announcement Duration
Puma 2000–2005
Nike, Inc. 2005–2010
Adidas 2010–2016
Macron 2016–present 26 January 2016[33] 2016–2022[33]
9 June 2022[34] 2022–2027[34]

Home stadium


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

Albania's main stadium for most part of the history was Qemal Stafa Stadium located in Tirana. The work started in April 1939 during the Italy regime. The construction lasted for three years but it stopped briefly in August 1943 following the fall of fascist regime.[35] The stadium had an Olympic Stadium shape, as idealized by Gherardo Bosio, a young fascist architect from Florence, Italy.[36] The stadium's initial capacity was 15,000, this due to the fact that Tirana at that time had only 60,000 inhabitants.[36] It was named after Qemal Stafa, a Hero of Albania in World War II.[37] The stadium was inaugurated officially on 7 October 1946 when Albania played its first competitive match against Yugoslavia.[38] Ever since then, further 130 international matches took place in the stadium, with the last being a friendly against Georgia in November 2015.[39] 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".[35] In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.[40] The stadium's demolition started in June 2016, and it was announced that is going to be replaced by Arena Kombëtare.[41]

Albania sometimes has played home matches at other venues. Outside Tirana, the national team has played matches in Flamurtari Stadium in Vlorë,[42] Tomori Stadium in Berat,[43] Niko Dovana Stadium in Durrës,[44] Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër[45] and Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.[46] 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.[47] 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.[48] The official inauguration occurred two days later in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Denmark.[49]

The first international match at Loro Boriçi Stadium was played on 29 March 2003 against Russia, with Albania winning 3–1.[16] In October 2014, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, promised the reconstruction of the stadium.[50] The stadium's construction started in May 2015 and finished in August 2016.[51] 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.[52]

Albania national football team home stadiums
Nr. of
matches		 Image Stadium Capacity Location First match Last match Ref
131 Qemal Stafa Stadium 25,000 Tirana, Albania v.  Yugoslavia, 7 October 1946 v.  Georgia, 16 November 2015 [38]
12 Elbasan Arena 13,800 Elbasan, Albania v.  Denmark, 11 October 2014 v.  San Marino, 8 September 2021 [46]
8 Loro Boriçi Stadium 20,200 Shkodër, Albania v.  Russia, 29 March 2003 v.  Italy, 9 October 2017 [45]
6 Niko Dovana Stadium 12,040 Durrës, Albania v.  Uzbekistan, 11 August 2010 v.  Malta, 5 March 2014 [44]
6 Arena Kombëtare 22,500 Tirana, Albania v.  France, 17 November 2019 v.  Poland, 12 October 2021 [53]
1 Tomori Stadium 17,890 Berat, Albania v.  Cuba, 6 August 1988 [43]
1 Flamurtari Stadium 10,500 Vlorë, Albania v.  Romania, 28 October 1987 [42]

Rivalries



Serbia

Main article: Albania–Serbia football rivalry

This football rivalry between Albania and Serbia is mainly due to historical tensions between the two countries. It has been described "one of the fiercest rivalries in the world". During the Euro 2016 qualifying phase, the Serbian crowd were chanting "Kill, kill Albanians"[54] and were throwing flares at the Albanian team, after which there was a clash between the Serbian and Albanian teams.[55] They played so far two games in which Albania and Serbia won each one time, in this derby so far.[56] [57]


Supporters


Main article: Tifozat Kuq e Zi
A choreography of Tifozat Kuq e Zi in the national team's first match at Elbasan Arena against Denmark in October 2014.
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 (English: 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.[58][59] It was founded on 25 December 2003.[58] 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.[60][61] 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).[58]

The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football Association 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.[62][63][64][65]

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".[66] 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.[67][68][69]


Media coverage



Results and fixtures


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

  Win   Draw   Loss


2021


9 October 2022 World Cup qualification Hungary  0–1  Albania Budapest, Hungary
20:45 Report Broja 80' Stadium: Puskás Aréna
Attendance: 0
Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (Spain)
12 October 2022 World Cup qualification Albania  0–1  Poland Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Świderski 77' Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
12 November 2022 World Cup qualification England  5–0  Albania London, England
20:45 (19:45; UTC±0) Maguire 9'
Kane 18', 33', 45+2'
Henderson 28'		 Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
15 November 2022 World Cup qualification Albania  1–0  Andorra Tirana, Albania
20:45 Çekiçi 73' (pen.) Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

2022


26 March Friendly Spain  2–1  Albania Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain
19:45 F. Torres 75'
Olmo 90'		 Report Uzuni 85' Stadium: RCDE Stadium
Attendance: 35,444
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)
29 March Friendly Albania  0–0  Georgia Tirana, Albania
18:00 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Montenegro)
6 June 2022–23 Nations League Iceland  1–1  Albania Reykjavík, Iceland
20:45 (18:45; UTC±0) Þorsteinsson 49' Report Seferi 30' Stadium: Laugardalsvöllur
Attendance: 4,033
Referee: Craig Pawson (England)
10 June 2022–23 Nations League Albania  1–2  Israel Tirana, Albania
20:45 (21:45; UTC+3) Broja 45+2' (pen.) Report Solomon 57', 73' Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 18,100
Referee: Tiago Martins (Portugal)
13 June Friendly Albania  0–0  Estonia Tirana, Albania
18:00 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Philip Farrugia (Malta)
24 September 2022–23 Nations League Israel  2–1  Albania Tel Aviv, Israel
20:45 (21:45; UTC+3)
Report
Stadium: Bloomfield Stadium
Attendance: 29,200
Referee: Donatas Rumšas (Lithuania)
27 September 2022–23 Nations League Albania  1–1  Iceland Tirana, Albania
20:45 Lenjani 35' Report Anderson 90+7' Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 8,800
Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain)
26 October Friendly Saudi Arabia  v  Albania Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Report Stadium: Al Nahyan Stadium
16 November Friendly Albania  v  Italy Tirana, Albania
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
19 November Friendly (Brotherly derby) Albania  v  Kosovo Germany or Switzerland
Report

Coaching staff


See also: List of Albania national football team managers
Ilir Daja, the current manager of the Albania national football team.
Ilir Daja, the current manager of the Albania national football team.

Current coaching staff


Name Role
Head coach Ilir Daja
Assistant coach(es) Tahir Bytyqi
Ervin Bulku
Hamdi Salihi
Athletic coach(es) Serxhio Bekaj
Armando Hoxha
Goalkeeping coach Ilir Bozhiqi
Physiotherapist Altin Haxhia
Doctor Dr. Alban Osmani
Masseur Arzen Voci
Material base(s) Fatos Kademi
Osman Bulku
Osteopath Arjan Llaperi
Team manager Dritan Babamusta
Video analyst Bajram Lapa

Players


See also: Albania international footballers

Current squad


No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Etrit Berisha (1989-03-10) 10 March 1989 (age 33) 73 0 Torino
23 1GK Thomas Strakosha (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 (age 27) 21 0 Brentford
12 1GK Elhan Kastrati (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 25) 1 0 Cittadella
4 2DF Elseid Hysaj (captain) (1994-02-20) 20 February 1994 (age 28) 72 2 Lazio
3 2DF Ermir Lenjani (1989-08-05) 5 August 1989 (age 33) 43 5 Ümraniyespor
5 2DF Frédéric Veseli (1992-11-20) 20 November 1992 (age 29) 44 0 Benevento
18 2DF Ardian Ismajli (1996-09-30) 30 September 1996 (age 26) 29 1 Empoli
6 2DF Arlind Ajeti (1993-09-25) 25 September 1993 (age 29) 22 1 Pordenone
13 2DF Enea Mihaj (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 (age 24) 11 0 Famalicão
2 2DF Iván Balliu (1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 (age 30) 8 0 Rayo Vallecano
17 2DF Albi Doka (1997-06-26) 26 June 1997 (age 25) 7 0 Budapest Honvéd
22 3MF Amir Abrashi (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 32) 49 1 Grasshoppers
20 3MF Ylber Ramadani (1996-04-12) 12 April 1996 (age 26) 22 1 Aberdeen
8 3MF Klaus Gjasula (1989-12-14) 14 December 1989 (age 32) 21 0 Darmstadt 98
14 3MF Qazim Laçi (1996-01-19) 19 January 1996 (age 26) 18 1 Ajaccio
10 3MF Nedim Bajrami (1999-02-28) 28 February 1999 (age 23) 9 0 Empoli
15 3MF Kristjan Asllani (2002-03-09) 9 March 2002 (age 20) 5 0 Inter Milan
7 3MF Enis Çokaj (1999-02-23) 23 February 1999 (age 23) 4 0 Panathinaikos
19 3MF Arbnor Muçolli (1999-09-15) 15 September 1999 (age 23) 1 0 Vejle
16 4FW Sokol Cikalleshi (1990-07-27) 27 July 1990 (age 32) 50 12 Khaleej
11 4FW Myrto Uzuni (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 (age 27) 27 5 Granada
9 4FW Armando Broja (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 21) 16 4 Chelsea
21 4FW Taulant Seferi (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 (age 25) 10 1 Vorskla Poltava

Recent call-ups


The following players have also 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 Gentian Selmani (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 24) 3 0 Boluspor v.  Estonia, 13 June 2022
GK Simon Simoni (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 18) 0 0 Dinamo Tirana v.  Estonia, 13 June 2022
GK Angelo Tafa (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 (age 22) 0 0 Kukësi v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE / U21
DF Adrian Bajrami (2002-04-05) 5 April 2002 (age 20) 1 0 Benfica B v.  Israel, 24 September 2022PRE
DF Erion Hoxhallari (1995-10-15) 15 October 1995 (age 26) 4 0 UTA Arad v.  Estonia, 13 June 2022
DF Jon Mersinaj (1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 23) 1 0 Lokomotiva v.  Estonia, 13 June 2022
DF Kevin Haveri (2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 (age 21) 0 0 Rimini v.  Estonia, 13 June 2022
DF Berat Djimsiti (1993-02-19) 19 February 1993 (age 29) 48 1 Atalanta v.  Israel, 10 June 2022
DF Marash Kumbulla (2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 (age 22) 15 0 Roma v.  Israel, 10 June 2022
DF Kastriot Dermaku (1992-01-15) 15 January 1992 (age 30) 13 1 Lecce v.  Israel, 10 June 2022
DF Lorenc Trashi (1992-05-19) 19 May 1992 (age 30) 15 1 Qadsia v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE
DF Mario Mitaj (2003-08-06) 6 August 2003 (age 19) 1 0 Lokomotiv Moscow v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE / U21
DF Sergio Kalaj (2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 (age 22) 0 0 Frosinone v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE / U21
DF Herdi Prenga (1994-08-31) 31 August 1994 (age 28) 2 0 Budapest Honvéd v.  Georgia, 29 March 2022
MF Keidi Bare (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 (age 25) 21 2 Espanyol v.  Israel, 24 September 2022INJ
MF Endri Çekiçi (1996-11-23) 23 November 1996 (age 25) 11 1 Konyaspor v.  Israel, 24 September 2022INJ
MF Odise Roshi (1991-05-21) 21 May 1991 (age 31) 69 5 Sakaryaspor v.  Israel, 10 June 2022INJ
MF Lindon Selahi (1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 (age 23) 4 0 Rijeka v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE
MF Erdis Kraja (2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 (age 22) 0 0 Pescara v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE / U21
MF Armando Dobra (2001-04-14) 14 April 2001 (age 21) 0 0 Chesterfield v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE / U21
FW Eljon Toçi (2003-01-09) 9 January 2003 (age 19) 0 0 Fiorentina v.  Israel, 24 September 2022PRE
FW Giacomo Vrioni (1998-10-15) 15 October 1998 (age 23) 6 0 New England Revolution v.  Estonia, 13 June 2022
FW Bekim Balaj (1991-01-11) 11 January 1991 (age 31) 47 8 Ankara Keçiörengücü v.  Israel, 10 June 2022
FW Ernest Muçi (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 (age 21) 1 0 Legia Warsaw v.  Iceland, 6 June 2022PRE / U21
FW Rey Manaj (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 (age 25) 31 7 Watford v.  Georgia, 29 March 2022INJ
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
  • U21 = Was called up from national U21 squad.
  • WD = Player withdrew from the current squad due to non-injury issue.
  • INJ = It is not part of the current squad due to injury.

Records


Main article: Albania national football team records and statistics
See also: List of Albania international footballers and List of Albania national football team captains
As of 27 September 2022.[73]
Players in bold are still active with Albania.

Most appearances


Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the history of Albania with 93 caps.
Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the history of Albania with 93 caps.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Lorik Cana 93 1 2003–2016
2 Altin Lala 79 3 1998–2011
3 Klodian Duro 77 4 2001–2011
4 Erjon Bogdani 75 19 1996–2013
Ervin Skela 75 13 2000–2011
6 Ansi Agolli 73 3 2005–2017
Etrit Berisha 73 0 2012–present
Foto Strakosha 73 0 1990–2004
9 Elseid Hysaj 72 2 2013–present
10 Andi Lila 70 0 2007–2018

Top goalscorers


Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period
1 Erjon Bogdani 19 75 0.24 1996–2013
2 Alban Bushi 14 67 0.21 1995–2007
3 Ervin Skela 13 75 0.17 2000–2011
4 Armando Sadiku 12 37 0.32 2012–present
Sokol Cikalleshi 12 50 0.24 2014–present
6 Hamdi Salihi 11 50 0.22 2006–2015
Altin Rraklli 11 63 0.17 1992–2005
8 Sokol Kushta 10 31 0.32 1987–1996
Igli Tare 10 68 0.15 1997–2007
10 Adrian Aliaj 8 29 0.28 2002–2006
Bekim Balaj 8 47 0.17 2012–present

Competitive record



FIFA World Cup


FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1934 Did not enter Did not enter
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966 Did not qualify 4th 6 0 1 5 2 12
1970 Did not enter Did not enter
1974 Did not qualify 4th 6 1 0 5 3 13
1978 Did not enter Did not enter
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
Total - 0/21 - - - - - - — 114 24 14 76 84 200

UEFA European Championship


Main article: Albania at the UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1960 Did not enter Did not enter
1964 Did not qualify R16430174
1968 3rd4013012
1972 4th611459
1976 Did not enter Did not enter
1980
1984 Did not qualify 5th8026414
1988 4th6006217
1992 5th7106221
1996 5th102261016
2000 5th10145814
2004 4th82241115
2008 5th122551218
2012 5th10235714
2016 Group stage18th310213Squad 2nd8422105
2020 Did not qualify 4th104151614
2024 To be determined To be determined
Total Group stage 1/16 3 1 0 2 1 3 — — 103 22 23 58 88 173

UEFA Nations League


UEFA Nations League record
Season LG GP Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 C 1 3rd41031834th
2020–21 C 4 1st63218435th
2022–23 B 2 3rd40224627th
2024–25 B To be determined
Total 14 4 4 5 13 18 27th

Other tournaments


Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Balkan Cup
1946 Winner 1st320164Squad
1947 Fifth place 5th4004213
1948 Fifth place 5th 312010
Malta International Tournament
1998 Third place 3rd302136
2000 Winner 1st330050
Total Best: Winner 5/5 16 6 4 6 17 23 —

FIFA Rankings


As of 26 July 2020 Source:[74]

  Best Ranking    Worst Ranking    Best Mover    Worst Mover  

Albania's FIFA world rankings
Rank Year Pld Best Worst
Rank Move Rank Move
662020766 369 3
6620191661 266 4
602018656 260 3
622017951 971 12
4920161235 549 10
 382015722 1563 7
 582014945 2570 16
572013837 1671 13
632012958 1797 10
7420111150 2375 14
652010958 1397 7
962009978 398 11
 812008773 19102 18
8020071166 1188 12
872006662 2088 13
8220051082 793 4
862004886 594 5
8920031186 13101 5
932002992 497 5
962001774 196 6
722000872 1394 6
831999883 1595 2
1061998897 14109 8
 11619977113 8124 4
 1161996590 6116 12
911995887 13106 6
1001994593 9113 11
921993791 193 6

Honours


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

Head-to-head record


As of 15 November 2021

    See also



    Notes and references



    Notes



      References


      1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
      2. FIFA World Ranking August 2015
      3. FIFA World Ranking August 1997
      4. "International football match Albania vs Yugoslavia report". EU-Football.info. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
      5. "Ballkaniada 1946, kur Shqipëria u shpall kampione e Ballkanit" [Balkan Cup 1946, when Albania was named champion of Balkan]. Sot.com.al. 9 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
      6. ""Euro 1964" / Greqia refuzoi nga "ligji i luftës", u kualifikua Shqipëria" [“Euro 1964” / Greece refused due to “war law”, Albania qualified] (in Albanian). Ekskluzive.al. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
      7. Besnik Dizdari (2007). "Ballkaniada 1946: Shqipëria – kampione e Ballkanit ne startin e "Luftës së ftohtë" në Evropë" (in Albanian). Rozafat. pp. 2–10. ISBN 978-99943-979-0-7. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
      8. "Shqipëria në fazën finale? Nuk është hera e parë!" [Albania in finale phase, its not the first time] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
      9. UEFA. "Victories of Albania until Euro2016 qualifiers". Retrieved 17 October 2015.
      10. Besnik Dizdari (15 October 2015). "Dr. Armillotta ka të drejtë" (in Albanian). Panorama-Sport. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
      11. "Games of the XVIII. Olympiad - Football Qualifying Tournament".
      12. "Besnik Dizdari: E vërteta e pjesëmarrjes së Shqipërisë në Lojërat Olimpike".
      13. "Games of the XX. Olympiad - Football Qualifying Tournament".
      14. "Euro 1968/ Kur Kombëtarja e Shqipërisë eliminonte Gjermaninë" [Euro 1968/ When Albania national team eliminated Germany] (in Albanian). Opinion.al. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
      15. "1967: Risitë e të vërtetave të Shqipëria-Gjermania 0-0…" [1967: The innovations of the truths of Albania-Germany 0-0…] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
      16. "Flying start for Briegel". UEFA.com. 30 March 2003. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
      17. "Albania eclipse European champions". UEFA.com. 5 September 2004. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
      18. "Baric: Po largohem" (in Albanian). FSHF.org. Retrieved 5 April 2016.[dead link]
      19. "Televizioni Koha – JOSIP KUZHE TRAJNER I SHQIPËRISË – Sport" (in Albanian). Televizioni Koha. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
      20. "Më në fund, shpërthen Shqipëria, fiton 6 me 1 kunder Qipros" (in Albanian). Yllpress.com. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
      21. "Kush është trajneri i ri i Kombëtares shqiptare" (in Albanian). Panorama.al. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
      22. Besnik Dizdari (4 April 2015). ""Revolucioni" i Kombëtares, atdhetaria dhe "pseudoatdhetaria"" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
      23. ""Bekim" kuqezi në Aveiro, Shqipëria shokon Portugalinë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
      24. ""Flirtuam" me fitoren, por bashkëkryesojmë me Danimarkën" (in Albanian). Albdreams.net. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
      25. "Armenia 0-3 Albania - BBC Sport". BBC Sport.
      26. "Albania out of Euro 2016 after Portugal draw with Hungary". Fourfourtwo.com. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
      27. "Panucci named Albania coach". AS. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
      28. Andrew Southwick (17 November 2018). "Albania 0–4 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
      29. Carlos Volcano. "SACKED! Christian Panucci dumped by Albania". Tribal Football. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
      30. "Albania hires Edoardo Reja to coach its national team". USA TODAY.
      31. "Moldova's national team was also outclassed by Albania". ipn.md. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
      32. Besnik Dizdari (18 November 2015). "Kosova A – "Kosova B" 2–2 ose Kosova – Shqipëria 30–6!" [Kosovo A – "Kosovo B" 2–2 or Kosovo – Albania 30–6!] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport.
      33. "Historia e fanellave të kombëtares, nga Puma tek Adidas/FOTO" [The history of the national team jerseys, from Puma to Adidas/PHOTO]. Syri.net (in Albanian). 29 January 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016.
      34. ""Macron", sponsor teknik i Kombëtares edhe për 6 vite, Duka: Një nga partnerët tanë më të rëndësishëm" ["Macron", technical sponsor of the national team for another 6 years, Duka: One of our most important partners] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 9 June 2022.
      35. ""Qemal Stafa", historia 70-vjeçare e Stadiumit Kombëtar (Pjesa 1)" [“Qemal Stafa”, the 70-year history of the national stadium (Part 1)] (in Albanian). Gazeta Panorama. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      36. "Historia e ndërtimit të stadiumit "Qemal Stafa"" [History of Stadium “Qemal Stafa” construction] (in Albanian). Standard.al. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      37. "Kush ishte Qemal Stafa? 99-vjetori i lindjes" [Who was Qemal Stafa? 99th anniversary of birth] (in Albanian). Gazeta Mapo. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      38. "Stadiumi Kombëtar Qemal Stafa, Tiranë". eu-football.info.
      39. "Kombëtarja luan ndeshjen e fundit në "Qemal Stafa"" [The national team plays the last match in “Qemal Stafa”] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      40. "UEFA "djeg" edhe "Ruzhdi Bizhutën" e "Niko Dovanën"" (in Albanian). Sport.albeu.com. 21 November 2013. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
      41. "Nis prishja e stadiumit "Qemal Stafa"" [The demolition of “Qemal Stafa” Stadium starts] (in Albanian). TV Klan. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      42. "Stadiumi Flamurtari, Vlorë". eu-football.info.
      43. "Stadiumi Tomori, Berat". eu-football.info.
      44. "Stadiumi Niko Dovana, Durrës". eu-football.info.
      45. "Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër". eu-football.info.
      46. "Elbasan Arena, Elbasan". eu-football.info.
      47. "Nis rindërtimi i stadiumit "Ruzhdi Bizhuta" (FOTO LAJM)" [The recontruction of "Ruzhdi Buzhuta" stadium starts (Photo News)] (in Albanian). Sport.albeu.com. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      48. "Goleadë e Kombëtares në inaugurimin e stadiumit" [Goal-fest of national team in the stadium's inauguration] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      49. "Shqipëri- Danimarkë, ndeshja e parë në "Elbasan Arena". Ja çmimi i biletave" [Albania-Denmark, the first match in “Elbasan Arena”. Here are the ticket's prizes] (in Albanian). Gazeta Panorama. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      50. "Rama: Së shpejti nis ndërtimi i stadiumit 'Loro Borici'" [Rama: Construction of ‘Loro Borici’ Stadium Coming Soon] (in Albanian). City News Albania. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      51. "Stadiumi "Loro Boriçi" është gati për Kombëtaren, si t'i gjeni biletat" [“Loro Boriçi” stadium is ready for the national team, how to find the tickets] (in Albanian). TV Klan. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      52. Alfred Lleshi (11 August 2016). "E konfirmon kryeministri: Kosova do të luajë në "Loro Boriçi"" [The Prime Minister confirms: Kosovo will play in “Loro Boriçi”] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
      53. "Arena Kombëtare, Tirana". eu-football.info.
      54. Ibrulj, Sasa (15 October 2014). "Serbia vs Albania: The inside story of the violence". mirror. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
      55. "The world's greatest international football rivalries – ranked and reviewed | Nick Miller and Nick Ames". The Guardian. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
      56. "UEFA: Serbi-Shqipëri 3:0, por pa pikë për Serbinë".
      57. "Shqipëria humb kundër Serbisë. Çdo gjë shtyhet për në Armeni | Lajme nga Ulqini".
      58. ""Tifozat Kuq e Zi", ja si lindi grupimi i famshëm i Kombëtares" [“Red and Black Fans”, here's how the famous national team group born] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      59. "16 vjet krenari dhe kontribut për kombëtaren tonë, ditë historike për "Tifozat Kuq e Zi"" [16 years pride and contribution for our national team, historical day for "Tifozat Kuq e Zi"] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
      60. Ermal Kuka (21 January 2014). "Tifozët, bojkot ndaj Kosovës: "Një komb, një kombëtare!"" [The fans, boycott towards Kosovo: “One nation, one national team!”] (in Albanian). Gazeta Shqip. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      61. Alfred Lleshi (20 August 2016). ""Tifozat Kuqezi": Një komb, na duhet një kombëtare! Zotohemi të ndodhë sa më shpejt!" [“Red and Black fans”: One nation, we need one national team! We pledge to happen as soon as possible!] (in Albanian). Telesport.al. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      62. "Tifozët Kuq e Zi sërish kundër Dukës (Foto)" [Red and black fans again against Duka (Photo)] (in Albanian). Botapress.info. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      63. "Tifozët 'Kuq e Zi' fyejnë rëndë Armand Dukën" [Red and black fans heavily insult Armand Duka] (in Albanian). Javanews.al. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      64. "Ekskluzive / Armand Duka: Tifozat kuq e zi, "fushate" kunder meje" [Exclusive/ Armand Duka: Red&black fans, a "campaign" against me] (in Albanian). Albania Soccer. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      65. "Tifozët krenarë për De Biasin…ovacione kundër Dukës (Video)" [The fans proud for De Biasi…ovations against Duka (Video)] (in Albanian). Botasot.info. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      66. "Hitzfeld: Tifozët shqiptarë janë fantastikë" [Hitzfeld: Albanian fans are fantastic] (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 12 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      67. "Slloveni-Shqipëri, mbi 2000 tifozë shqiptarë në Lubjanë" [Slovenia-Albania, over 2,000 Albanian fans in Ljubljana] (in Albanian). Sport.albeu.com. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      68. "Norvegji-Shqipëri, 3 mijë tifozë kuqezi në Oslo" [Norway-Albania, 3 thousand red&black fans in Oslo] (in Albanian). Portalb.mk. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      69. Fation Shehu (24 March 2013). "Oslo kuqezi, De Biazi: Ja si i "mashtruam" norvegjezët…" [Oslo red&black, De Biasi: Here's how we “deceived” the Norwegians…] (in Albanian). Oslo: Panorama Sport. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
      70. "Kombëtarja e futbollit rikthehet në ekranin kampion, TV Klan blen të drejtat ekskluzive për 4 vjet" [The national football team returns to the champion screen, TV Klan buys exclusive rights for 4 years] (in Albanian). TV Klan. 9 June 2022.
      71. "Liga e Kombeve/Sfidat me Izraelin & Islandën, trajneri Reja shpall listën e Kombëtares!" [Nations League/Challenges with Israel & Iceland, coach Reja announces the National Team list!] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 16 September 2022.
      72. "Albania vs Iceland, 27 September 2022". eu-football.info. 27 September 2022.
      73. Hoxha, Florent. "Albania - Record International Players". RSSSF.
      74. "Albania Mens ranking".
      75. "Rothmans Tournament 2000 match reports". Retrieved 19 June 2015.
      76. Dizdari, Besnik (15 October 2015). "Dr. Armillotta ka të drejtë". Panorama-Sport. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
      77. "Serbia and Albania disciplinary decision". UEFA. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.


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

        На других языках

        - [en] Albania national football team

        [ru] Сборная Албании по футболу

        Сбо́рная Алба́нии по футбо́лу (алб. Kombëtarja shqiptare e futbollit) — команда, представляющая Албанию на международных турнирах по футболу. Управляющая организация — Федерация футбола Албании. Сборная была образована ещё до появления Ассоциации футбола Албании и была зарегистрирована для участия в Балканском кубке 1929 года, но снялась до его начала[2]. Первую свою игру она провела официально только в 1946 году против Югославии. Вступила в ФИФА в 1932 году, в УЕФА в 1954 году.


        Текст в блоке "Читать" взят с сайта "Википедия" и доступен по лицензии Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike; в отдельных случаях могут действовать дополнительные условия.

        Другой контент может иметь иную лицензию. Перед использованием материалов сайта WikiSort.org внимательно изучите правила лицензирования конкретных элементов наполнения сайта.

        2019-2024
        WikiSort.org - проект по пересортировке и дополнению контента Википедии