Albania national football team#Individual all-time records
{{Short description|Men's national football team representing Albania}}
{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Albania women's national football team}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox national football team
| Name = Albania
| Badge = Stema e Fanellës së Kombëtares.svg
| Badge_size = 150px
| Nickname = {{nowrap|{{lang|sq|Kuqezinjtë}} (The Red and Blacks)}}
| Association = Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
| Confederation = UEFA (Europe)
| Coach = Sylvinho
| Captain = Berat Gjimshiti
| Most caps = Lorik Cana (93)
| Top scorer = Erjon Bogdani (18)
| Home Stadium = Arena Kombëtare
| FIFA Trigramme = ALB
| FIFA Rank = {{FIFA World Rankings|ALB}}
| FIFA max = 22
| FIFA min = 124
| Elo Rank = {{World Football Elo Ratings|Albania}}
| Elo max = 32
| Elo max date = 1946
| Elo min = 118
| Elo min date = December 1994
| pattern_la1 = _alb25h
| pattern_b1 = _alb25h
| pattern_ra1 = _alb25h
| pattern_sh1 = _alb25h
| pattern_so1 = _alb24hl
| leftarm1 = FF0000
| body1 = FF0000
| rightarm1 = FF0000
| shorts1 = 000000
| socks1 = 000000
| pattern_la2 = _alb25a
| pattern_b2 = _alb25a
| pattern_ra2 = _alb25a
| pattern_sh2 = _alb25a
| pattern_so2 = _alb24al
| leftarm2 = FFFFFF
| body2 = FFFFFF
| rightarm2 = FFFFFF
| shorts2 = FFFFFF
| socks2 = FFFFFF
| pattern_la3 = _alb25t
| pattern_b3 = _alb25t
| pattern_ra3 = _alb25t
| pattern_sh3 = _alb25h
| pattern_so3 = _alb24hl
| leftarm3 = 000000
| body3 = 000000
| rightarm3 = 000000
| shorts3 = 000000
| socks3 = 000000
| First game = {{fb|ALB|1946}} 2–3 {{fb-rt|YUG}}
(Tirana, Albania; 7 October 1946)
| Largest win = {{fb|ALB}} 5–0 {{fb-rt|VIE}}
(Bastia Umbra, Italy; 12 February 2003)
{{fb|ALB}} 6–1 {{fb-rt|CYP}}
(Tirana, Albania; 12 August 2009)
{{fb|ALB}} 5–0 {{fb-rt|SMR}}
(Elbasan, Albania; 8 September 2021)
| Largest loss = {{fb|HUN|1949}} 12–0 {{fb-rt|ALB|1946}}
(Budapest, Hungary; 24 September 1950)
| World cup apps =
| World cup first =
| World cup best =
| Regional name = European Championship
| Regional cup apps = 2
| Regional cup first = 2016
| Regional cup best = Group stage (2016, 2024)
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's football}}
{{Medal|Competition|Balkan Cup}}
{{MedalGold|1946 Albania|Team}}
{{Medal|Competition|Malta "Rothmans" International Tournament}}
{{MedalGold|2000 Malta|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|1998 Malta|Team}}
}}
The Albania national football team ({{langx|sq|Kombëtarja e futbollit të Shqipërisë}}) represents Albania in men's international football. It is governed by the Albanian Football Federation (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 bicolor. Their supporters are colloquially referred to as the Tifozat Kuq e Zi (Red and Black Fans).
Since its inception as a team, Albania first collected a major tournament trophy in 1946 with the Balkan Cup, followed by the Malta International Tournament (2000). At the FIFA World Cup, Albania has campaigned to qualify since their entry into FIFA in 1932. The team has reached the group stage of UEFA European Championship twice (2016, 2024). They have competed in the UEFA Nations League since 2018.
Upon its admission into FIFA ranked 124th, Albania ascended to their peak World Ranking of 22nd in 2015. The country plays their home games in the Arena Kombëtare in their capital city, Tirana.
History
{{main|History of the Albania national football team}}
=20th century=
File:Loro Boriçi në finalen e Ballkaniadës.jpg 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.giovanniarmillotta.it/albania/calcio/ | title=Official RSSSF Site Covering the History of Albanian Football from 1913 until the Present }} Albania played its first international match against Yugoslavia in 1946, which ended in a 3–2 home defeat at Qemal Stafa Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=6383|title=International football match Albania vs Yugoslavia report|publisher=EU-Football.info|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=17 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117112921/https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=6383|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|url=https://sot.com.al/dossier/ballkaniada-1946-kur-shqip%C3%ABria-u-shpall-kampione-e-ballkanit|title=Ballkaniada 1946, kur Shqipëria u shpall kampione e Ballkanit|trans-title=Balkan Cup 1946, when Albania was named champion of Balkan|publisher=Sot.com.al|language=en|date=9 October 2016|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=14 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214075003/https://sot.com.al/dossier/ballkaniada-1946-kur-shqip%C3%ABria-u-shpall-kampione-e-ballkanit|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.ekskluzive.al/euro-1964-greqia-refuzoi-nga-ligji-i-luftes-u-kualifikua-shqiperia/|title="Euro 1964" / Greqia refuzoi nga "ligji i luftës", u kualifikua Shqipëria|trans-title="Euro 1964" / Greece refused due to "war law", Albania qualified|publisher=Ekskluzive.al|language=sq|date=30 October 2018|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015010148/http://www.ekskluzive.al/euro-1964-greqia-refuzoi-nga-ligji-i-luftes-u-kualifikua-shqiperia/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Besnik Dizdari|title=Ballkaniada 1946: Shqipëria – kampione e Ballkanit ne startin e "Luftës së ftohtë" në Evropë|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DadPygAACAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Rozafat|isbn=978-99943-979-0-7|pages=2–10|language=sq|access-date=5 April 2016}}{{cite web | url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/teams/2--albania/ | title=The official website for European football }} At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/shqiperia-ne-fazen-finale-nuk-eshte-hera-e-pare/|title=Shqipëria në fazën finale? Nuk është hera e parë!|trans-title=Albania in finale phase, its not the first time|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=14 October 2015|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015010306/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/shqiperia-ne-fazen-finale-nuk-eshte-hera-e-pare/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=UEFA|title=Victories of Albania until Euro2016 qualifiers|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/teams/2--albania/|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017114130/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/teams/team=2/profile/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Dr. Armillotta ka të drejtë|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/dr-armillotta-ka-te-drejte/|access-date=17 October 2015|publisher=Panorama-Sport|date=15 October 2015|language=sq|author=Besnik Dizdari|archive-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018172258/http://www.panorama-sport.com/dr-armillotta-ka-te-drejte/|url-status=live}} Albania participated at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the Men's qualification tournament, and closely lost both matches against Bulgaria in the preliminary round.{{cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1964q.html | title=Games of the XVIII. Olympiad – Football Qualifying Tournament | access-date=3 February 2023 | archive-date=3 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205402/http://www.rsssf.com/tableso/ol1964q.html | url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/besnik-dizdari-e-verteta-e-pjesemarrjes-se-shqiperise-ne-lojerat-olimpike/ | title=Besnik Dizdari: E vërteta e pjesëmarrjes së Shqipërisë në Lojërat Olimpike | access-date=7 February 2022 | archive-date=5 February 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205161343/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/besnik-dizdari-e-verteta-e-pjesemarrjes-se-shqiperise-ne-lojerat-olimpike/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1972q.html | title=Games of the XX. Olympiad – Football Qualifying Tournament | access-date=3 February 2023 | archive-date=11 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711203917/https://www.rsssf.org/tableso/ol1972q.html | url-status=live }}
File:Pullë e Kampionatit Europian të Futbollit (1984).png.]]
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.{{cite web|url=https://opinion.al/euro-1968-kur-kombetarja-e-shqiperise-eliminonte-gjermanine/|title=Euro 1968/ Kur Kombëtarja e Shqipërisë eliminonte Gjermaninë|trans-title=Euro 1968/ When Albania national team eliminated Germany|publisher=Opinion.al|language=sq|date=13 May 2016|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015011809/https://opinion.al/euro-1968-kur-kombetarja-e-shqiperise-eliminonte-gjermanine/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/1967-risite-e-te-vertetave-te-shqiperia-gjermania-0-0/|title=1967: Risitë e të vërtetave të Shqipëria-Gjermania 0–0…|trans-title=1967: The innovations of the truths of Albania-Germany 0–0…|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=19 December 2017|access-date=15 October 2019|archive-date=15 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015011801/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/1967-risite-e-te-vertetave-te-shqiperia-gjermania-0-0/|url-status=live}} 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=
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b3a20b7dd-0f66848ad46a-1000--flying-start-for-briegel/|title=Flying start for Briegel|publisher=UEFA|date=30 March 2003|access-date=5 April 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308213011/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2004/matches/round=1579/match=69051/postmatch/report/index.html|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=223027.html|title=Albania eclipse European champions|publisher=UEFA|date=5 September 2004|access-date=5 April 2016|archive-date=6 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106150945/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=223027.html|url-status=dead}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://fshf.org/lajme_m.aspx?id=359|title=Baric: Po largohem|publisher=FSHF.org|language=sq|access-date=5 April 2016}}{{dead link|date=April 2016}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.tvkoha.tv/1300/josip-kuzhe-trajner-i-shqiperise.html |title=Televizioni Koha – JOSIP KUZHE TRAJNER I SHQIPËRISË – Sport |language=sq |publisher=Televizioni Koha |access-date=19 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619153814/http://www.tvkoha.tv/1300/josip-kuzhe-trajner-i-shqiperise.html |archive-date=19 June 2015 }} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.yllpress.com/4616/me-ne-fund-shperthen-shqiperia-fiton-6-me-1-kunder-qipros.html|title=Më në fund, shpërthen Shqipëria, fiton 6 me 1 kunder Qipros|publisher=Yllpress.com|language=sq|date=13 October 2009|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025022218/http://www.yllpress.com/4616/me-ne-fund-shperthen-shqiperia-fiton-6-me-1-kunder-qipros.html|url-status=live}} Josip Kuže parted ways with Albania after three and a half years, and in December 2011, Italian coach Gianni de Biasi replaced him.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/kush-eshte-trajneri-i-ri-i-kombetares-shqiptare/|title=Kush është trajneri i ri i Kombëtares shqiptare|publisher=Panorama.al|access-date=6 April 2016|date=14 December 2011|language=sq|archive-date=3 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003092352/http://www.panorama.com.al/kush-eshte-trajneri-i-ri-i-kombetares-shqiptare/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/revolucioni-i-kombetares-atdhetaria-dhe-pseudoatdhetaria/|title="Revolucioni" i Kombëtares, atdhetaria dhe "pseudoatdhetaria"|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|author=Besnik Dizdari|access-date=4 April 2016|date=4 April 2015}}File:AUT vs. ALB 2016-03-26 (004).jpgAlbania began UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying Group I with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal,{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama-sport.com/239815/|title="Bekim" kuqezi në Aveiro, Shqipëria shokon Portugalinë|date=7 September 2014|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|access-date=7 September 2014|archive-date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413155256/http://www.panorama-sport.com/239815/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Amofa |first1=Richard |date=19 June 2016 |title=Euro 2016: Albania 0–1 Romania – Armando Sadiku scores the only goal to seal his country's first ever win at a major competition |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/19/albania-vs-romania-euro-2016---live/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619152011/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/19/albania-vs-romania-euro-2016---live/ |archive-date=19 June 2016 |access-date=19 June 2016 |work=telegraph.co.uk}} followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated Elbasan Arena.{{cite news|url=http://www.albdreams.net/flirtuam-me-fitoren-por-bashkekryesojme-me-danimarken/|title="Flirtuam" me fitoren, por bashkëkryesojmë me Danimarkën|publisher=Albdreams.net|language=sq|date=11 October 2014|access-date=11 October 2014|archive-date=13 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413154219/http://www.albdreams.net/flirtuam-me-fitoren-por-bashkekryesojme-me-danimarken/|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34501117 |title=Armenia 0–3 Albania – BBC Sport |work=BBC Sport |access-date=29 May 2020}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/albania-out-euro-2016-after-portugal-draw-hungary|title=Albania out of Euro 2016 after Portugal draw with Hungary|publisher=Fourfourtwo.com|date=22 June 2016|access-date=9 October 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009193113/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/albania-out-euro-2016-after-portugal-draw-hungary|url-status=live}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2017/07/19/football/1500470638_776017.html|title=Panucci named Albania coach|publisher=AS|date=17 July 2017|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417001106/https://en.as.com/en/2017/07/19/football/1500470638_776017.html|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46113905|title=Albania 0–4 Scotland|publisher=BBC Sport|author=Andrew Southwick|date=17 November 2018|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717214119/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46113905|url-status=live}} Panucci would be sacked after a 2–0 defeat to Turkey in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.{{cite web|url=https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/sacked-christian-panucci-dumped-by-albania-4273957|title=SACKED! Christian Panucci dumped by Albania|publisher=Tribal Football|author=Carlos Volcano|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029020720/https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/sacked-christian-panucci-dumped-by-albania-4273957|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite news |title=Albania hires Edoardo Reja to coach its national team |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/04/17/albania-hires-italian-edoardo-reja-for-its-national-team/39355433/ |work=USA TODAY |access-date=4 July 2019 |archive-date=4 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704180135/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/04/17/albania-hires-italian-edoardo-reja-for-its-national-team/39355433/ |url-status=live }} In the end, Albania placed fourth in the group, failing to qualify.{{cite web|url=https://www.ipn.md/en/moldovas-national-team-was-also-outclassed-by-albania-7979_1068842.html|title=Moldova's national team was also outclassed by Albania|website=ipn.md|date=15 October 2019|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128154306/https://www.ipn.md/en/moldovas-national-team-was-also-outclassed-by-albania-7979_1068842.html|url-status=live}}
Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2024, their second major tournament.{{Cite web |last=Semini |first=Llazar |date=2023-11-22 |title=South American coaches lead Albania to Euro 2024 spot. Sylvinho gets a medal from prime minister |url=https://apnews.com/article/brazilian-argentinian-coach-albania-euro-2024-632483c8669fa984aa7cfca59de2b2ef |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=AP News |language=en}} 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.{{Cite news |last1=Anka |first1=Carl |last2=Corrigan |first2=Dermot |last3=more |title=Croatia 2 Albania 2 - How did Croatia let it slip? How far can Albania go? Unluckiest own goal? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5572674/2024/06/19/croatia-albania-euro-2024/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
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
=Nicknames=
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kosova-a-kosova-b-2-2-ose-kosova-shqiperia-30-6/|title=Kosova A – "Kosova B" 2–2 ose Kosova – Shqipëria 30–6!|trans-title=Kosovo A – "Kosovo B" 2–2 or Kosovo – Albania 30–6!|language=Albanian|author=Besnik Dizdari|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=18 November 2015|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102165944/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kosova-a-kosova-b-2-2-ose-kosova-shqiperia-30-6/|url-status=live}}
=Kits=
{{Commons|Albania national football team kits}}
Albania's uniform colors are red and black, mirroring the nation's flag. The team typically wears red shirts, black shorts and red socks. Away kits are usually all-white, with red and black trimming.
Over the years, the national team has sported kit wear from renowned sportswear brands such as Legea, Puma, Nike and Adidas, to name a few. The partnership with Puma began in 1996 and lasted nine years. Nike outfitted the team during the UEFA Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. A collaboration with Adidas followed, in a contract signing which allowed it to manufacture kits for the Euro 2012 qualifiers, as well as the 2014 World Cup and the Euro 2016 qualifiers.{{fact|date=June 2024}}
On 24 March 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, labelled "Triumfi," was conceptualised by Tirana-based studio PIK Creative.{{cite news|url=https://www.syri.net/2016/01/29/historia-e-fanellave-te-kombetares-nga-puma-tek-adidasfoto/|title=Historia e fanellave të kombëtares, nga Puma tek Adidas/FOTO|trans-title=The history of the national team jerseys, from Puma to Adidas/PHOTO|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203045527/https://www.syri.net/2016/01/29/historia-e-fanellave-te-kombetares-nga-puma-tek-adidasfoto/|language=Albanian|website=Syri.net|date=29 January 2016|archive-date=3 February 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/sq/macron-sponsor-teknik-i-kombetares-edhe-per-6-vite-duka-nje-nga-partneret-tane-me-te-rendesishem/|title="Macron", sponsor teknik i Kombëtares edhe për 6 vite, Duka: Një nga partnerët tanë më të rëndësishëm|trans-title="Macron", technical sponsor of the national team for another 6 years, Duka: One of our most important partners|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Federation|date=9 June 2022|access-date=21 August 2022|archive-date=21 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821164258/https://fshf.org/sq/macron-sponsor-teknik-i-kombetares-edhe-per-6-vite-duka-nje-nga-partneret-tane-me-te-rendesishem/|url-status=live}}
{{Lineage
| 1|-1|{{resize|110%|Kit wear suppliers}}|
| 2| 1|{{flagicon|GER}}
Adidas
(1988)|
| 3| 1|{{flagicon|ENG}}
Umbro
(1992–93)|
| 4| 1|{{flagicon|GER}}
Uhlsport
(1994–95)|
| 5| 1|{{flagicon|GER}}
Puma
(1996–04)|
| 6| 1|{{flagicon|ENG}}
Umbro
(2004–07)|
| 7| 1|{{flagicon|USA}}
Nike
(2008–10)|
| 8| 1|{{flagicon|ITA}}
Legea
(2010–12)|
| 9| 1|{{flagicon|GER}}
Adidas
(2012–16)|
|10| 1|{{flagicon|ITA}}
Macron
(2016–27)|
}}
=Home stadium=
{{Main|Arena Kombëtare|Elbasan Arena|Loro Boriçi Stadium}}
{{See also|Qemal Stafa Stadium}}
File:Air Albania Stadium 2024.jpg is the home ground of the national team.]]
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/opinion-dizdari-ne-panorama-qemal-stafa-historia-70-vjecare-e-stadiumit-kombetar/|title="Qemal Stafa", historia 70-vjeçare e Stadiumit Kombëtar (Pjesa 1)|trans-title="Qemal Stafa", the 70-year history of the national stadium (Part 1)|publisher=Gazeta Panorama|language=sq|date=10 May 2016|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203838/http://www.panorama.com.al/opinion-dizdari-ne-panorama-qemal-stafa-historia-70-vjecare-e-stadiumit-kombetar/|url-status=live}} The stadium had an Olympic Stadium shape, as idealised by Gherardo Bosio, a young fascist architect from Florence.{{cite web|url=http://www.standard.al/2014/09/26/historia-e-ndertimit-te-stadiumit-qemal-stafa/|title=Historia e ndërtimit të stadiumit "Qemal Stafa"|trans-title=History of Stadium "Qemal Stafa" construction|publisher=Standard.al|language=sq|date=26 September 2014|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203819/http://www.standard.al/2014/09/26/historia-e-ndertimit-te-stadiumit-qemal-stafa/|url-status=live}} The stadium's initial capacity was 15,000, due to the fact that Tirana at that time had only 60,000 inhabitants. It was named after Qemal Stafa, a Hero of Albania in World War II.{{cite web|url=https://gazetamapo.al/kush-ishte-qemal-stafa-99-vjetori-i-lindjes/|title=Kush ishte Qemal Stafa? 99-vjetori i lindjes|trans-title=Who was Qemal Stafa? 99th anniversary of birth|publisher=Gazeta Mapo|language=sq|date=20 March 2019|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924090355/https://gazetamapo.al/kush-ishte-qemal-stafa-99-vjetori-i-lindjes/|url-status=live}} The stadium was inaugurated officially on 7 October 1946 when Albania played its first competitive match against Yugoslavia.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=803|title=Stadiumi Kombëtar Qemal Stafa, Tiranë|website=eu-football.info|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024042721/https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=803|url-status=live}} Ever since then, a further 130 international matches took place in the stadium, with the last being a friendly against Georgia in November 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kombetarja-luan-ndeshjen-e-fundit-ne-qemal-stafa/|title=Kombëtarja luan ndeshjen e fundit në "Qemal Stafa"|trans-title=The national team plays the last match in "Qemal Stafa"|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=16 November 2015|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203949/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kombetarja-luan-ndeshjen-e-fundit-ne-qemal-stafa/|url-status=live}} 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". In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.{{cite web|url=http://sport.albeu.com/kombetarja/uefa-djeg-edhe-ruzhdi-bizhuten-e-niko-dovanen/132437/|title=UEFA "djeg" edhe "Ruzhdi Bizhutën" e "Niko Dovanën"|publisher=Sport.albeu.com|language=sq|date=21 November 2013|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140526000601/http://sport.albeu.com/kombetarja/uefa-djeg-edhe-ruzhdi-bizhuten-e-niko-dovanen/132437/|archive-date=26 May 2014|url-status=dead}} The stadium's demolition started in June 2016, and it was announced that it would be replaced by Arena Kombëtare.{{cite web|url=https://tvklan.al/nis-prishja-e-stadiumit-qemal-stafa/|title=Nis prishja e stadiumit "Qemal Stafa"|trans-title=The demolition of "Qemal Stafa" Stadium starts|publisher=TV Klan|language=sq|date=9 June 2016|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203822/https://tvklan.al/nis-prishja-e-stadiumit-qemal-stafa/|url-status=live}}
Albania has played home matches at other venues; outside Tirana, the national team has played matches in Flamurtari Stadium in Vlorë,{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=8772|title=Stadiumi Flamurtari, Vlorë|website=eu-football.info|access-date=14 January 2018|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114184907/https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=8772|url-status=live}} Tomori Stadium in Berat,{{cite news |title=Stadiumi Tomori, Berat |website=eu-football.info |url=https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=994 |url-status=live |access-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024043414/https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=994 |archive-date=24 October 2017}} Niko Dovana Stadium in Durrës,{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=1841|title=Stadiumi Niko Dovana, Durrës|website=eu-football.info|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024043121/https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=1841|url-status=live}} Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=541|title=Loro Boriçi Stadium, Shkodër|website=eu-football.info|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803091754/https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=541|url-status=live}} and Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=2350|title=Elbasan Arena, Elbasan|website=eu-football.info|access-date=23 October 2017|archive-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024043550/https://eu-football.info/_venue.php?id=2350|url-status=live}} In February 2014, renovations for Elbasan Arena (at the time Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium) started.{{cite web|url=http://sport.albeu.com/kryetitull/nis-rindertimi-i-stadiumit-ruzhdi-bizhuta-foto-lajm/141519/|title=Nis rindërtimi i stadiumit "Ruzhdi Bizhuta" (FOTO LAJM)|trans-title=The reconstruction of "Ruzhdi Buzhuta" stadium starts (Photo News)|publisher=Sport.albeu.com|language=sq|date=17 February 2015|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203827/http://sport.albeu.com/kryetitull/nis-rindertimi-i-stadiumit-ruzhdi-bizhuta-foto-lajm/141519/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/goleade-e-kombetares-ne-inaugurimin-e-stadiumit/|title=Goleadë e Kombëtares në inaugurimin e stadiumit|trans-title=Goal-fest of national team in the stadium's inauguration|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=9 October 2014|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203845/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/goleade-e-kombetares-ne-inaugurimin-e-stadiumit/|url-status=live}} The official inauguration occurred two days later in the Euro 2016 qualifying match against Denmark.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/shqiperi-danimarke-ndeshja-e-pare-ne-elbasan-arena-ja-cmimi-i-biletave/|title=Shqipëri- Danimarkë, ndeshja e parë në "Elbasan Arena". Ja çmimi i biletave|trans-title=Albania-Denmark, the first match in "Elbasan Arena". Here are the ticket's prizes|publisher=Gazeta Panorama|language=sq|date=22 September 2014|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=13 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013031910/http://www.panorama.com.al/shqiperi-danimarke-ndeshja-e-pare-ne-elbasan-arena-ja-cmimi-i-biletave/|url-status=live}}
The first international match at Loro Boriçi Stadium was played on 29 March 2003 against Russia, with Albania winning 3–1. In October 2014, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, promised the reconstruction of the stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.cna.al/2015/04/01/rama-se-shpejti-nis-ndertimi-i-stadiumit-loro-borici/|title=Rama: Së shpejti nis ndërtimi i stadiumit 'Loro Borici'|trans-title=Rama: Construction of ‘Loro Borici’ Stadium Coming Soon|publisher=City News Albania|language=sq|date=1 April 2015|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203843/https://www.cna.al/2015/04/01/rama-se-shpejti-nis-ndertimi-i-stadiumit-loro-borici/|url-status=live}} The stadium's construction started in May 2015 and finished in August 2016.{{cite web|url=https://tvklan.al/stadiumi-loro-borici-eshte-gati-per-kombetaren-si-ti-gjeni-biletat/|title=Stadiumi "Loro Boriçi" është gati për Kombëtaren, si t'i gjeni biletat|trans-title="Loro Boriçi" stadium is ready for the national team, how to find the tickets|publisher=TV Klan|language=sq|date=30 August 2016|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018203819/https://tvklan.al/stadiumi-loro-borici-eshte-gati-per-kombetaren-si-ti-gjeni-biletat/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://telesport.al/e-konfirmon-kryeministri-kosova-te-luaje-ne-loro-borici|title=E konfirmon kryeministri: Kosova do të luajë në "Loro Boriçi"|trans-title=The Prime Minister confirms: Kosovo will play in "Loro Boriçi"|publisher=Telesport.al|language=sq|author=Alfred Lleshi|date=11 August 2016|access-date=18 October 2019|archive-date=18 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018205327/https://telesport.al/e-konfirmon-kryeministri-kosova-te-luaje-ne-loro-borici|url-status=live}}
=Rivalries=
==Kosovo==
{{main|Brotherly derby}}
This derby is otherwise known as Brotherly derby ({{langx|sq|Derbi vëllazëror}}), or the Brotherly ({{langx|sq|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.{{efn|The alternative name of the Albania national team that was used during this match.{{cite news|url=https://gazetasi.al/kalvari-sportiv-i-kosoves-dhe-miqesorja-e-harruar-me-jugosllavine/|title=Kosova, kalvari sportiv e miqësorja e harruar me Jugosllavinë|trans-title=Kosovo, the sports ordeal and the forgotten friendly with Yugoslavia|language=sq|author=Mendrit Shehu|website=Gazetasi|date=18 November 2019|access-date=23 June 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803005151/https://gazetasi.al/kalvari-sportiv-i-kosoves-dhe-miqesorja-e-harruar-me-jugosllavine/|url-status=live}}}}{{cite web|url=http://www.zemrashqiptare.net/news/1668/rp-0/act-print/rf-1/printo.html|title=Besnik Dizdari: Kur në Tiranë lindte Përfaqësuesja e Kosovës...(II)|trans-title=Besnik Dizdari: When in Tirana the Kosovo national team was born...(II)|language=sq|author=Besnik Dizdari|website=Zemra Shqiptare|date=12 December 2007|access-date=13 July 2021|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109044136/http://www.zemrashqiptare.net/news/1668/rp-0/act-print/rf-1/printo.html|url-status=live}}
==Serbia==
{{main|Albania–Serbia football rivalry}}
This football rivalry between Albania and Serbia is mainly due to historical tensions between the two countries. It has been described as "one of the fiercest rivalries in the world". During the Euro 2016 qualifying phase, with Portugal, Denmark and Armenia, the Serbian crowd were chanting "kill, kill Albanians"{{Cite web|last=Ibrulj|first=Sasa|date=15 October 2014|title=Serbia vs Albania: The inside story of the violence|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/serbia-vs-albania-inside-story-4441062|access-date=2021-06-30|website=mirror|language=en|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511120915/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/serbia-vs-albania-inside-story-4441062|url-status=live}} and were throwing flares at Albania, after which there was a clash between the two teams.{{Cite web|date=17 November 2014|title=The world's greatest international football rivalries – ranked and reviewed {{!}} Nick Miller and Nick Ames|url=http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/17/football-international-rivalries-ranked-scotland-england|access-date=2021-06-30|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=20 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820024940/https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/nov/17/football-international-rivalries-ranked-scotland-england|url-status=live}}
Both countries were drawn in the same group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, with England, Latvia and Andorra.
=Supporters=
{{Main|Tifozat Kuq e Zi}}
File:Tifozat Kuq e Zi ne Elbasan Arena.jpg 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/|title="Tifozat Kuq e Zi", ja si lindi grupimi i famshëm i Kombëtares|trans-title="Red and Black Fans", here's how the famous national team group born|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=27 October 2015|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001912/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-ja-si-lindi-grupimi-i-famshem-i-kombetares/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/16-vjet-krenari-dhe-kontribut-per-kombetaren-tone-dite-historike-per-tifozat-kuq-e-zi/|title=16 vjet krenari dhe kontribut për kombëtaren tonë, ditë historike për "Tifozat Kuq e Zi"|trans-title=16 years pride and contribution for our national team, historical day for "Tifozat Kuq e Zi"|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|date=23 December 2019|access-date=25 December 2019|archive-date=24 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224231755/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/16-vjet-krenari-dhe-kontribut-per-kombetaren-tone-dite-historike-per-tifozat-kuq-e-zi/|url-status=live}} It was founded on 25 December 2003. 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.gazeta-shqip.com/2014/01/21/tifozet-bojkot-ndaj-kosoves-nje-komb-nje-kombetare/|title=Tifozët, bojkot ndaj Kosovës: "Një komb, një kombëtare!"|trans-title=The fans, boycott towards Kosovo: "One nation, one national team!"|publisher=Gazeta Shqip|language=sq|author=Ermal Kuka|date=21 January 2014|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001913/https://www.gazeta-shqip.com/2014/01/21/tifozet-bojkot-ndaj-kosoves-nje-komb-nje-kombetare/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://telesport.al/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-nje-komb-nje-kombetare-zotohemi-te-ndodhe-sa-shpejt|title="Tifozat Kuqezi": Një komb, na duhet një kombëtare! Zotohemi të ndodhë sa më shpejt!|trans-title="Red and Black fans": One nation, we need one national team! We pledge to happen as soon as possible!|publisher=Telesport.al|language=sq|author=Alfred Lleshi|date=20 August 2016|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001910/https://telesport.al/tifozat-kuq-e-zi-nje-komb-nje-kombetare-zotohemi-te-ndodhe-sa-shpejt|url-status=dead}} 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).
File:Tifosi albanesi stadio Palermo.jpg 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 Federation.{{cite web|url=http://botapress.info/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-serish-kunder-dukes-foto/|title=Tifozët Kuq e Zi sërish kundër Dukës (Foto)|trans-title=Red and black fans again against Duka (Photo)|publisher=Botapress.info|language=sq|date=31 March 2016|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001914/http://botapress.info/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-serish-kunder-dukes-foto/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.javanews.al/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-fyejne-rende-armand-duken/|title=Tifozët 'Kuq e Zi' fyejnë rëndë Armand Dukën|trans-title=Red and black fans heavily insult Armand Duka|publisher=Javanews.al|language=sq|date=13 November 2016|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001912/https://www.javanews.al/tifozet-kuq-e-zi-fyejne-rende-armand-duken/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/kombetarja/5579-ekskluzive--armand-duka-tifozat-kuq-e-zi-qfushateq-kunder-meje.html|title=Ekskluzive / Armand Duka: Tifozat kuq e zi, "fushate" kunder meje|trans-title=Exclusive/ Armand Duka: Red&black fans, a "campaign" against me|publisher=Albania Soccer|language=sq|date=9 November 2011|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001913/http://www.albaniasoccer.com/lajme/shqiperi/kombetarja/5579-ekskluzive--armand-duka-tifozat-kuq-e-zi-qfushateq-kunder-meje.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.botasot.info/sporti/465418/tifozet-krenare-per-de-biasin-ovacione-kunder-dukes-video/|title=Tifozët krenarë për De Biasin…ovacione kundër Dukës (Video)|trans-title=The fans proud for De Biasi…ovations against Duka (Video)|publisher=Botasot.info|language=sq|date=12 October 2015|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001913/https://www.botasot.info/sporti/465418/tifozet-krenare-per-de-biasin-ovacione-kunder-dukes-video/|url-status=live}}
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".{{cite web|url=https://www.botasot.info/sport-plus/186160/hitzfeld-tifozet-shqiptare-jane-fantastike/|title=Hitzfeld: Tifozët shqiptarë janë fantastikë|trans-title=Hitzfeld: Albanian fans are fantastic|publisher=Bota Sot|language=sq|date=12 September 2012|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001913/https://www.botasot.info/sport-plus/186160/hitzfeld-tifozet-shqiptare-jane-fantastike/|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://sport.albeu.com/kombetarja/slloveni-shqiperi-mbi-2000-tifoze-shqiptare-ne-lubjane/123142/|title=Slloveni-Shqipëri, mbi 2000 tifozë shqiptarë në Lubjanë|trans-title=Slovenia-Albania, over 2,000 Albanian fans in Ljubljana|publisher=Sport.albeu.com|language=sq|date=28 August 2013|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001911/http://sport.albeu.com/kombetarja/slloveni-shqiperi-mbi-2000-tifoze-shqiptare-ne-lubjane/123142/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://portalb.mk/76932-norvegji-shqiperi-3-mije-tifoze-kuqezi-ne-oslo/|title=Norvegji-Shqipëri, 3 mijë tifozë kuqezi në Oslo|trans-title=Norway-Albania, 3 thousand red&black fans in Oslo|publisher=Portalb.mk|language=sq|date=22 March 2013|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001914/https://portalb.mk/76932-norvegji-shqiperi-3-mije-tifoze-kuqezi-ne-oslo/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/oslo-kuqezi-de-biazi-ja-si-i-mashtruam-norvegjezet/|title=Oslo kuqezi, De Biazi: Ja si i "mashtruam" norvegjezët…|trans-title=Oslo red&black, De Biasi: Here's how we "deceived" the Norwegians…|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=sq|author=Fation Shehu|location=Oslo|date=24 March 2013|access-date=19 October 2019|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019001909/http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/oslo-kuqezi-de-biazi-ja-si-i-mashtruam-norvegjezet/|url-status=live}}
=Media coverage=
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Current
{{Col-2}}
;Previous
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
| Broadcaster
!Television channel !Period |
|---|
| colspan=2|{{flagicon|ALB}} Albanian Radio Television
|rowspan=2|until 2022 |
| {{flagicon|KVX}} Radio Television of Kosovo
|{{flagicon|KVX}} RTK 1 |
{{col-end}}
Results and fixtures
{{main|Albania national football team results (2020–present)}}
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend2|#FFFFFF|Fixture|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
=2024=
{{footballbox collapsible
|format = 1
|round = Friendly
|date = 3 June
|time = 20:00
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|score = 3–0
|report = https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=18933
|team2 = {{fb|LIE}}
|goals1 = Broja {{goal|31}}
Asani {{goal|47}}
Muçi {{goal|67}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Haladás Sportkomplexum
|location = Szombathely, Hungary
|attendance = 200
|referee = Bence Csonka (Hungary)
|result = W
}}
{{footballbox collapsible
|format = 1
|round = Friendly
|date = 7 June
|time = 19:00
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|score = 3–1
|report = https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=18934
|team2 = {{fb|AZE}}
|goals1 = Bajrami {{goal|11}}
Manaj {{goal|81}}
Laçi {{goal|87}}
|goals2 = Qurbanlı {{goal|90}}
|stadium = Haladás Sportkomplexum
|location = Szombathely, Hungary
|attendance =
|referee = Mihály Káprály (Hungary)
|result = W
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 15 June
|time = 21:00 CEST
|round = Euro 2024
|score = 2–1
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036164/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ITA}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 =
- Bajrami {{goal|1}}
|stadium = Westfalenstadion
|location = Dortmund, Germany
|attendance = 60,512
|referee = Felix Zwayer (Germany)
|result = L
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 19 June
|time = 15:00 CEST
|round = Euro 2024
|score = 2–2
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036176/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CRO}}
|goals1 = Kramarić {{goal|74}}
Gjasula {{goal|76|o.g.}}
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 = Laçi {{goal|11}}
Gjasula {{goal|90+5}}
|stadium = Volksparkstadion
|location = Hamburg, Germany
|attendance = 46,784
|referee = François Letexier (France)
|result = D
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 24 June
|time = 21:00 CEST
|round = Euro 2024
|score = 0–1
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/2036187/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|ESP}}
|goals2 =
- Torres {{goal|13}}
|stadium = Merkur Spiel-Arena
|location = Düsseldorf, Germany
|attendance = 46,586
|referee = Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
|result = L
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 7 September
|time = 20:45
|round = 2024–25 Nations League
|score = 1–2
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040066/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|UKR}}
|goals1 =
- Konoplia {{goal|49}}
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Stadion Letná
|location = Prague, Czech Republic{{efn|Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine are required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0272-148740475a92-1b97baa3e9d7-1000/|title=Decisions from today's extraordinary UEFA Executive Committee meeting|work=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=25 February 2022|access-date=25 February 2022}}}}
|attendance = 15,500
|referee = Luis Godinho (Portugal)
|result = W
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 10 September
|time = 20:45
|round = 2024–25 Nations League
|score = 0–1
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040086/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|GEO}}
|goals2 =
- Kochorashvili {{goal|71}}
|stadium = Arena Kombëtare
|location = Tirana, Albania
|attendance = 20,400
|referee = Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
|result = L
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 11 October
|time = 20:45
|round = 2024–25 Nations League
|score = 2–0
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040109/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|CZE}}
|goals1 =
- Chorý {{goal|3||63}}
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Stadion Letná
|location = Prague, Czech Republic
|attendance = 17,823
|referee = Benoît Bastien (France)
|result = L
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 14 October
|time = 18:00 {{small|(20:00 UTC+4)}}
|round = 2024–25 Nations League
|score = 0–1
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040129/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|GEO}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 = Asllani {{goal|48}}
|stadium = Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
|location = Tbilisi, Georgia
|attendance = 19,981
|referee = Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
|result = W
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 16 November
|time = 20:45
|round = 2024–25 Nations League
|score = 0–0
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040169/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|CZE}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Arena Kombëtare
|location = Tirana, Albania
|attendance = 20,800
|referee = Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
|result = D
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 19 November
|time = 20:45
|round = 2024–25 Nations League
|score = 1–2
|report = https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2040195/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
- Bajrami {{goal|75|pen.}}
|team2 = {{fb|UKR}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Arena Kombëtare
|location = Tirana, Albania
|attendance = 20,547
|referee = João Pinheiro (Portugal)
|result = L
}}
=2025=
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 21 March
|time = 20:45
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score = 2–0
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044161/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ENG}}
|goals1 =
- Lewis-Skelly {{goal|20}}
- Kane {{goal|77}}
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Wembley Stadium
|location = London, England
|attendance = 82,378
|referee = Alejandro Hernández Hernández (Spain)
|result = L
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 24 March
|time = 20:45
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score = 3–0
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044175/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|AND}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Arena Kombëtare
|location = Tirana, Albania
|attendance = 17,183
|referee = Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
|result = W
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 7 June
|time = 20:45
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score =
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044191/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|SRB}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Arena Kombëtare
|location = Tirana, Albania
|attendance =
|referee =
|result =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 10 June
|time = 20:45
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score =
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044206/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|LVA}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Skonto Stadions
|location = Riga, Latvia
|attendance =
|referee =
|result =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 9 September
|time = 20:45
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score =
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044255/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|LVA}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Arena Kombëtare
|location = Tirana, Albania
|attendance =
|referee =
|result =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 11 October
|time = 20:45
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score =
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044280/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|SRB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 =
|stadium =
|location = TBD, Serbia
|attendance =
|referee =
|result =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 13 November
|time = 20:45
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score =
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044308/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|AND}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|ALB}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Estadi Nacional
|location = Andorra la Vella, Andorra
|attendance =
|referee =
|result =
}}
{{football box collapsible
|format = 1
|date = 16 November
|time = 18:00
|round = 2026 World Cup qualification
|score =
|report = https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2044332/
|team1 = {{fb-rt|ALB}}
|goals1 =
|team2 = {{fb|ENG}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Arena Kombëtare
|location = Tirana, Albania
|attendance =
|referee =
|result =
}}
Coaching staff
{{see also|List of Albania national football team managers}}
=Current coaching staff=
File:20180610 FIFA Friendly Match Austria vs. Brazil Sylvinho 850 0232.jpg
| class="wikitable" |
| Role
!Name |
|---|
| Head coach
|{{flagicon|BRA}} Sylvinho |
| rowspan="3"|Assistant coach(es)
|{{flagicon|ARG}} {{sortname|Pablo|Zabaleta}} |
| {{flagicon|BRA}} Dorival Guidoni |
| {{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Ervin|Bulku}} |
| rowspan="2"|Athletic coach(es)
|{{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Taulant|Stërmasi|nolink=1}} |
| {{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Elton|Kodra|nolink=1}} |
| Goalkeeping coach
|{{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Ilir|Bozhiqi}} |
| Physiotherapist
|{{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Altin|Haxhia|nolink=1}} |
| Doctor
|{{flagicon|ITA}} {{sortname|Gianluca|Stesina|nolink=1}} |
| Masseur
|{{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Arzen|Voçi|nolink=1}} |
| rowspan="2"|Material base(s)
|{{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Eduard|Salillari|nolink=1}} |
| {{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Osman|Bulku|nolink=1}} |
| Osteopath
|{{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Arjan|Llaperi|nolink=1}} |
| Team manager
|{{flagicon|ALB}} {{sortname|Dritan|Babamusta}} |
| Video analyst
|{{flagicon|ITA}} {{sortname|Alarico Marco|Rossi|nolink=1}} |
Players
{{See also|List of Albania international footballers}}
=Current squad=
- The following players were called up for the 2026 World Cup qualification matches against England and Andorra, on 21 and 24 March 2025, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://fshf.org/sq/kualifikueset-e-kupes-se-botes-2026-ndeshjet-ndaj-anglise-dhe-andorres-trajneri-silvinjo-publikon-listen-e-lojtareve/|title=Kualifikueset e Kupës së Botës 2026/ Ndeshjet ndaj Anglisë dhe Andorrës, trajneri Silvinjo publikon listën e lojtarëve|trans-title=2026 World Cup Qualifiers/ Matches against England and Andorra, coach Sylvinho publishes the list of players|language=Albanian|publisher=Albanian Football Association|date=15 March 2025}}
- Caps and goals are correct {{asof|2025|3|24|lc=y}}, after the match against Andorra.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=18873|title=Albania vs Ukraine, 19 November 2024|website=eu-football.info|access-date=19 November 2024}}
{{nat fs g start|background=red|color=black}}
{{nat fs g player|no=1|pos=GK|name=Thomas Strakosha|age={{Birth date and age|1995|3|19|df=y}}|caps=39|goals=0|club=AEK Athens|clubnat=GRE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=12|pos=GK|name=Elhan Kastrati|age={{Birth date and age|1997|2|2|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Cittadella|clubnat=ITA}}
{{nat fs g player|no=23|pos=GK|name=Alen Sherri|age={{Birth date and age|1997|12|15|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Cagliari|clubnat=ITA}}
{{nat fs break|background=red}}
{{nat fs g player|no=2|pos=DF|name=Iván Balliu|age={{Birth date and age|1992|1|1|df=y}}|caps=19|goals=0|club=Rayo Vallecano|clubnat=ESP}}
{{nat fs g player|no=3|pos=DF|name=Naser Aliji|age={{Birth date and age|1993|12|27|df=y}}|caps=16|goals=0|club=Dinamo City|clubnat=ALB}}
{{nat fs g player|no=5|pos=DF|name=Arlind Ajeti|age={{Birth date and age|1993|9|25|df=y}}|caps=34|goals=1|club=Bodrum|clubnat=TUR}}
{{nat fs g player|no=6|pos=DF|name=Berat Gjimshiti|other=captain|age={{Birth date and age|1993|2|19|df=y}}|caps=63|goals=1|club=Atalanta|clubnat=ITA}}
{{nat fs g player|no=13|pos=DF|name=Enea Mihaj|age={{Birth date and age|1998|7|5|df=y}}|caps=19|goals=0|club=Famalicão|clubnat=POR}}
{{nat fs g player|no=15|pos=DF|name=Marash Kumbulla|age={{Birth date and age|2000|2|8|df=y}}|caps=23|goals=0|club=Espanyol|clubnat=ESP}}
{{nat fs g player|no=18|pos=DF|name=Ardian Ismajli|other=vice-captain|age={{Birth date and age|1996|9|30|df=y}}|caps=44|goals=3|club=Empoli|clubnat=ITA}}
{{nat fs break|background=red}}
{{nat fs g player|no=4|pos=MF|name=Juljan Shehu|age={{Birth date and age|1998|9|6|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Widzew Łódź|clubnat=POL}}
{{nat fs g player|no=8|pos=MF|name=Kristjan Asllani|age={{Birth date and age|2002|3|9|df=y}}|caps=31|goals=3|club=Inter Milan|clubnat=ITA}}
{{nat fs g player|no=10|pos=MF|name=Nedim Bajrami|age={{Birth date and age|1999|2|28|df=y}}|caps=33|goals=6|club=Rangers|clubnat=SCO}}
{{nat fs g player|no=14|pos=MF|name=Qazim Laçi|age={{Birth date and age|1996|1|19|df=y}}|caps=38|goals=4|club=Sparta Prague|clubnat=CZE}}
{{nat fs g player|no=16|pos=MF|name=Medon Berisha|age={{Birth date and age|2003|10|21|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Lecce|clubnat=ITA}}
{{nat fs g player|no=19|pos=MF|name=Adrion Pajaziti|age={{Birth date and age|2002|11|16|df=y}}|caps=2|goals=0|club=Gorica|clubnat=CRO}}
{{nat fs g player|no=20|pos=MF|name=Ylber Ramadani|age={{Birth date and age|1996|4|12|df=y}}|caps=45|goals=1|club=Lecce|clubnat=ITA}}
{{nat fs g player|no=21|pos=MF|name=Arbër Hoxha|age={{Birth date and age|1998|10|6|df=y}}|caps=13|goals=0|club=Dinamo Zagreb|clubnat=CRO}}
{{nat fs break|background=red}}
{{nat fs g player|no=7|pos=FW|name=Rey Manaj|age={{Birth date and age|1997|2|24|df=y}}|caps=40|goals=10|club=Sivasspor|clubnat=TUR}}
{{nat fs g player|no=9|pos=FW|name=Jasir Asani|age={{Birth date and age|1995|5|19|df=y}}|caps=23|goals=5|club=Gwangju|clubnat=KOR}}
{{nat fs g player|no=11|pos=FW|name=Myrto Uzuni|age={{Birth date and age|1995|5|31|df=y}}|caps=40|goals=6|club=Austin FC|clubnat=USA}}
{{nat fs g player|no=17|pos=FW|name=Ernest Muçi|age={{Birth date and age|2001|3|19|df=y}}|caps=15|goals=3|club=Beşiktaş|clubnat=TUR}}
{{nat fs g player|no=22|pos=FW|name=Armando Broja|age={{Birth date and age|2001|9|10|df=y}}|caps=25|goals=5|club=Everton|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat fs end|background=red}}
=Recent call-ups=
The following players have also been called up for the team within the last twelve months and are still available for selection.
{{nat fs r start|background=red|color=black}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Simon Simoni|age={{Birth date and age|2004|7|14|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=1. FC Kaiserslautern|clubnat=GER|latest=v. {{fb|ENG}}, 21 March 2025PRE}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=GK|name=Etrit Berisha|other=|age={{Birth date and age|1989|3|10|df=y}}|caps=81|goals=0|club=Häcken|clubnat=SWE|latest=UEFA Euro 2024}}
{{nat fs break|background=red}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Andi Hadroj|age={{Birth date and age|1999|2|22|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Polissya Zhytomyr|clubnat=UKR|latest=v. {{fb|ENG}}, 21 March 2025PRE}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Elseid Hysaj|age={{Birth date and age|1994|2|2|df=y}}|caps=89|goals=2|club=Lazio|clubnat=ITA|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024INJ}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Mario Mitaj|age={{Birth date and age|2003|8|6|df=y}}|caps=23|goals=0|club=Al-Ittihad|clubnat=KSA|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024INJ}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Adrian Bajrami|age={{Birth date and age|2002|4|5|df=y}}|caps=3|goals=0|club=Benfica|clubnat=POR|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024PRE}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=DF|name=Jon Mersinaj|age={{Birth date and age|1999|2|8|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Lokomotiva|clubnat=CRO|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024}}
{{nat fs break|background=red}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Etnik Brruti|age={{Birth date and age|2004|3|4|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Malisheva|clubnat=KOS|latest=v. {{fb|ENG}}, 21 March 2025PRE}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Amir Abrashi|age={{Birth date and age|1990|3|27|df=y}}|caps=51|goals=1|club=Grasshoppers|clubnat=SUI|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Keidi Bare|age={{Birth date and age|1997|8|28|df=y}}|caps=29|goals=2|club=Real Zaragoza|clubnat=ESP|latest=v. {{fb|CZE|name=Czechia}}, 16 November 2024INJ}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Feta Fetai|age={{Birth date and age|2005|5|11|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Lokomotiva|clubnat=CRO|latest=v. {{fb|CZE|name=Czechia}}, 16 November 2024PRE}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=MF|name=Sebastjan Spahiu|age={{Birth date and age|1999|10|30|df=y}}|caps=1|goals=0|club=Mes Rafsanjan|clubnat=IRN|latest=v. {{fb|GEO}}, 10 September 2024}}
{{nat fs break|background=red}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Taulant Seferi|age={{Birth date and age|1996|11|15|df=y}}|caps=26|goals=3|club=Bodrum|clubnat=TUR|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Arbnor Muja|age={{Birth date and age|1998|11|29|df=y}}|caps=5|goals=0|club=Samsunspor|clubnat=TUR|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Indrit Tuci|age={{Birth date and age|2000|9|14|df=y}}|caps=4|goals=0|club=Sparta Prague|clubnat=CZE|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 19 November 2024INJ}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Mirlind Daku|age={{Birth date and age|1998|1|1|df=y}}|caps=8|goals=1|club=Rubin Kazan|clubnat=RUS|latest=v. {{fb|CZE|name=Czechia}}, 16 November 2024INJ}}
{{nat fs r player|no=|pos=FW|name=Agim Zeka|age={{Birth date and age|1998|9|6|df=y}}|caps=0|goals=0|club=Partizani|clubnat=ALB|latest=v. {{fb|UKR}}, 7 September 2024PRE}}
{{nat fs break|background=#0B0B3F}}
;Notes
- INJ = It is not part of the current squad due to injury.
- PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
{{nat fs end|background=#0B0B3F}}
Individual records
{{main|Albania national football team records and statistics}}
{{See also|List of Albania international footballers|List of Albania national football team captains}}
:{{updated|11 October 2024}}{{cite web |title=Albania |url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/country/2/Albania.html |website=National Football Teams}}
:Players in bold are still active with Albania.
=Most appearances=
File:Lorik cana crop.jpg is Albania's most capped player with 93 appearances.]]
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! style="width:25px" | Rank ! style="width:150px" | Name ! style="width:50px" | Caps ! style="width:50px" | Goals ! style="width:100px" | Career |
| 1
| style="text-align:left" | Lorik Cana | 93 | 1 | 2003–2016 |
| 2
| style="text-align:left" | Elseid Hysaj | 89 | 2 | 2013–present |
| 3
| style="text-align:left" | Etrit Berisha | 81 | 0 | 2012–present |
| 4
| style="text-align:left" | Altin Lala | 79 | 3 | 1998–2011 |
| 5
| style="text-align:left" | Klodian Duro | 77 | 4 | 2001–2011 |
| rowspan="2" | 6
| style="text-align:left" | Erjon Bogdani | 75 | 18 | 1996–2013 |
| style="text-align:left" | Ervin Skela
| 75 | 13 | 2000–2011 |
| rowspan="2" | 8
| style="text-align:left" | Ansi Agolli | 73 | 3 | 2005–2017 |
| style="text-align:left" | Foto Strakosha
| 73 | 0 | 1990–2004 |
| 10
| style="text-align:left" | Odise Roshi | 71 | 5 | 2011–2023 |
;Top goalscorers
As of 24 March 2025, the players with the most goals for Albania{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_players.php?id=4&data=6|title=Most Albania Goals|publisher=EU-Football.info|access-date=5 May 2025}} are:
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |
| style="width:25px" | Rank
! style="width:150px"|Player ! style="width:50px"|Goals ! style="width:50px"|Caps ! style="width:50px"|Average ! style="width:100px"|{{Tooltip|Career|Career with national team}} |
|---|
| {{nts|1}}
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Erjon|Bogdani}} |18 |75 |{{#expr: 18/75 round 2}} | 1996–2013 |
| {{nts|2}}
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Alban|Bushi}} |14 |67 |{{#expr: 14/67 round 2}} |1995–2007 |
| {{nts|3}}
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Ervin|Skela}} |13 |75 |{{#expr: 13/75 round 2}} |2000–2011 |
| =
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Sokol|Cikalleshi}}* |13 |60 |{{#expr: 13/60 round 2}} |2014–2024 |
| {{nts|5}}
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Armando|Sadiku}}* |12 |39 |{{#expr: 12/39 round 2}} |2012–2023 |
| {{nts|6}}
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Altin|Rraklli}} |11 |63 |{{#expr: 11/63 round 2}} |1992–2005 |
| =
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Hamdi|Salihi}} |11 |50 |{{#expr: 11/50 round 2}} |2006–2015 |
| {{nts|8}}
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Igli|Tare}} |10 |68 |{{#expr: 10/68 round 2}} |1997–2007 |
| =
! style="text-align:center" | {{sortname|Sokol|Kushta}} |10 |31 |{{#expr: 10/31 round 2}} |1987–1996 |
| =
! style="text-align:center" style="background:#87CEEB;" | {{sortname|Rey|Manaj}}* |10 |40 |{{#expr: 10/40 round 2}} |2015– |
Competition records
=FIFA World Cup=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!colspan=10|FIFA World Cup record !rowspan=23| !colspan=8|Qualification record | ||||||
| Year
!Round !{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} !{{Tooltip|Pld|Matches played}} !{{Tooltip|W|Won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !Squad !{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} !{{Tooltip|Pld|Matches played}} !{{Tooltip|W|Won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{flagicon|URU}} 1930
|colspan=9 {{n/a|Not a FIFA member}} |colspan=7 {{n/a|Not a FIFA member}} | ||||||
| 1934 to 1962 |colspan=9 {{n/a|Did not participate}} |colspan=7 {{n/a|Did not participate}} | ||||||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} 1966
|colspan=9 {{n/a|Did not qualify}} |4th | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 12 |
| {{flagicon|MEX}} 1970
|colspan=8 {{n/a|Entry not accepted}} | ||||||
| {{flagicon|FRG}} 1974
|colspan=9 {{n/a|Did not qualify}} |4th | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 13 |
| {{flagicon|ARG}} 1978
|colspan=9 {{n/a|Did not participate}} |colspan=7 {{n/a|Did not participate}} | ||||||
| {{flagicon|ESP}} 1982
|colspan=9 rowspan=11 {{n/a|Did not qualify}} |4th | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 22 |
| {{flagicon|MEX}} 1986
|3rd | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| {{flagicon|ITA}} 1990
|4th | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 15 |
| {{flagicon|USA}} 1994
|7th | 12 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 26 |
| {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} 1998
|6th | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 20 |
| {{flagicon|KOR|1997}} {{flagicon|JPN}} 2002
| 5th | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 5 | 14 |
| {{flagicon|GER}} 2006
|5th | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 20 |
| {{flagicon|RSA}} 2010
|5th | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 13 |
| {{flagicon|BRA}} 2014
|5th | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 11 |
| {{flagicon|RUS}} 2018
|3rd | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 13 |
| {{flagicon|QAT}} 2022
|3rd | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 12 |
| {{flagicon|CAN}} {{flagicon|MEX}} {{flagicon|USA}} 2026
|colspan=9 rowspan=1 {{pending|To be determined}} |2nd | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| {{flagicon|ESP}}{{flagicon|POR}}{{flagicon|MAR}} 2030 {{flagicon|ARG}}{{flagicon|PAR}}{{flagicon|URU}} |colspan=9 rowspan=1 {{pending|To be determined}} |colspan=9 rowspan=1 {{pending|To be determined}} | ||||||
| {{flagicon|KSA}} 2034
|colspan=9 rowspan=1 {{pending|To be determined}} |colspan=9 rowspan=1 {{pending|To be determined}} | ||||||
| Total
!— !{{Tooltip|0/22|Number of tournaments qualified for}} !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !— !{{Tooltip|14/23|Number of tournaments entered}} !116 !25 !14 !77 !87 !202 |
=UEFA European Championship=
{{main|Albania at the UEFA European Championship}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!colspan=10|UEFA European Championship record !rowspan=22| !colspan=8|Qualifying record | ||||||||||||||
| Year
!Round !{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} !{{Tooltip|Pld|Matches played}} !{{Tooltip|W|Won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !Squad !{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} !{{Tooltip|Pld|Matches played}} !{{Tooltip|W|Won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{flagicon|FRA|1794}} 1960
|colspan=9 {{n/a|Did not participate}} |colspan=7 {{n/a|Did not participate}} | ||||||||||||||
| {{flagicon|ESP|1945}} 1964
|colspan=9 rowspan=3 {{n/a|Did not qualify}} | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|ITA}} 1968
|3rd | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|BEL}} 1972
|4th | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|YUG}} 1976
|colspan=9 rowspan=2 {{n/a|Did not participate}} |colspan=7 rowspan=2 {{n/a|Did not participate}} | ||||||||||||||
| {{flagicon|ITA}} 1980 | ||||||||||||||
| {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} 1984
|colspan=9 rowspan=8 {{n/a|Did not qualify}} |5th | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 14 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|FRG}} 1988
|4th | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 17 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|SWE}} 1992
|5th | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 21 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|ENG}} 1996
|6th | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 16 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|BEL}} {{flagicon|NED}} 2000
|5th | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 14 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|POR}} 2004
|4th | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 15 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|AUT}} {{flagicon|SUI}} 2008
|5th | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 18 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|POL}} {{flagicon|UKR}} 2012
|5th | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 14 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|FRA|1974}} 2016 | 18th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Squad
|2nd | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5 |
| {{flagicon|EUR}} 2020
|colspan=9 {{n/a|Did not qualify}} |4th | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 14 | ||||||||
| {{flagicon|GER}} 2024 | 21st | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Squad
|1st | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 4 |
| {{flagicon|GBR}} {{flagicon|IRL}} 2028
|colspan=9 rowspan=2 {{pending|To be determined}} |colspan=7 rowspan=2 {{pending|To be determined}} | ||||||||||||||
| {{flagicon|ITA}} {{flagicon|TUR}} 2032 | ||||||||||||||
| Total
!Group stage !2/17 !6 !1 !1 !4 !4 !8 !— !14/17 !111 !26 !26 !59 !100 !177 |
| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align: center;font-size:90%;" |
| colspan=2|Albania's European Championship record |
|---|
| First match
|{{fb|ALB}} 0–1 {{fb-rt|SUI}} |
| Biggest win
|{{fb|ROU}} 0–1 {{fb-rt|ALB}} |
| Biggest defeat
|{{fb|FRA|1974}} 2–0 {{fb-rt|ALB}} |
| Best result |
| Worst result |
=UEFA Nations League=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!colspan="22"|UEFA Nations League record | ||||||||
| colspan="12"|League phase**
!rowspan="8"| !colspan="9"|Finals | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season
!{{Tooltip|LG|League (A, B, C or D)}} !{{Tooltip|Grp|Group (1, 2, 3 or 4)}} !{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} !{{Tooltip|Pld|Matches played}} !{{Tooltip|W|Won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !{{Tooltip|P/R|Promotion/relegation at end of season}} !{{Tooltip|RK|Overall rank}} !Year !{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} !{{Tooltip|Pld|Matches played}} !{{Tooltip|W|Won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}}* !{{Tooltip|L|Lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !Squad | ||||||||
| 2018–19
|C |1 |3rd | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8 | {{same position}} | 34th
|{{flagicon|POR}} 2019 |rowspan="6" colspan="8" {{N/A|Did not qualify}} |
| 2020–21
|C |4 |1st | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | {{rise}} | 35th
|{{flagicon|ITA}} 2021 |
| 2022–23
|B |2 |3rd | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | {{same position}} | 27th
|{{flagicon|NED}} 2023 |
| 2024–25
|B |1 |4th | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | {{decrease}} | 29th
|{{flagicon|GER}} 2025 |
| 2026–27
|C |colspan="10" {{Pending|To be determined}} |{{flagicon image|Flag of none.svg}} 2027 | ||||||||
| 2028–29
|colspan="11" {{Pending|To be determined}} |{{flagicon image|Flag of none.svg}} 2029 | ||||||||
| colspan="4"|Total
!20 !6 !5 !9 !17 !24 !colspan="2"|27th !colspan="2"|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 Olympics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="10" | Summer Olympics record ! rowspan="21" | ! colspan="7" | Qualification record |
| Year
! Round ! Position ! {{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}} ! {{Tooltip|W|Games won}} ! {{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} ! {{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} ! {{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} ! {{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} ! Squad ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} ! {{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}} ! {{Tooltip|W|Games won}} ! {{Tooltip|D|Games drawn}} ! {{Tooltip|L|Games lost}} ! {{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} ! {{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} |
|---|
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1908
| colspan="9" rowspan="6" | Team did not exist | colspan="7" rowspan="6" | Team did not exist |
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} 1912 |
| {{flagicon|Belgium}} 1920 |
| {{flagicon|France}} 1924 |
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} 1928 |
| {{flagicon|Germany|Nazi}} 1936 |
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} 1948
| colspan="9" rowspan="4" | Did not participate | colspan="7" rowspan="4" | Did not participate |
| {{flagicon|Finland}} 1952 |
| {{flagicon|Australia}} 1956 |
| {{flagicon|Italy}} 1960 |
| {{flagicon|Japan|1870}} 1964
| colspan="9" | Did not qualify | PR | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| {{flagicon|Mexico}} 1968
| colspan="9" | Did not participate | colspan="7" | Did not participate |
| {{flagicon|West Germany}} 1972
| colspan="9" | Did not qualify | PO | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| {{flagicon|Canada}} 1976
| colspan="9" rowspan="4" | Did not participate | colspan="7" rowspan="4" | Did not participate |
| {{flagicon|Soviet Union}} 1980 |
| {{flagicon|United States}} 1984 |
| {{flagicon|South Korea}} 1988 |
| {{flagicon|Spain}} 1992 to present
| colspan="9" | See Albania national under-23 football team | colspan="7" | See Albania national under-23 football team |
| Total
! — ! {{Tooltip|0/17|Number of tournaments qualified for}} ! 0 ! 0 ! 0 ! 0 ! 0 ! 0 ! — ! {{Tooltip|2/17|Number of tournaments qualified for}} ! 4 ! 0 ! 0 ! 4 ! 2 ! 6 |
= Other tournaments =
{{Color box|gold|border=darkgray}} Champions {{Color box|silver|border=darkgray}} Runners-up {{Color box|#cc9966|border=darkgray}} Third place {{legend-inline|white|border=3px solid red;}} Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | |||||||
| Year
!Ranking !{{Tooltip|Pos.|Position}} !{{Tooltip|Pld|Matches played}} !{{Tooltip|W|Won}} !{{Tooltip|D|Drawn}} !{{Tooltip|L|Lost}} !{{Tooltip|GF|Goals for}} !{{Tooltip|GA|Goals against}} !Squad | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| colspan="10"|Balkan Cup | |||||||
| bgcolor=gold
|style="border: 3px solid red"|{{flagicon|ALB|1946}} 1946 |Winner |1st | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 | Squad |
| style="border: 3px solid red"|1947
|Fifth place |5th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 13
|rowspan="1" {{n/a |
|-
|style="border: 3px solid red"|1948
|Fifth place
|5th
|3||1||2||0||1||0
|rowspan="1" {{n/a|}} Squad
|-
!colspan="10"|{{flagicon|MLT}} Malta International Tournament
|-bgcolor="#CC9966"
|1998
|Third place
|3rd||3||0||2||1||3||6
|rowspan="1" {{n/a|}} Squad
|-
|-bgcolor=gold
|2000
|Winner
|1st||3||3||0||0||5||0
|rowspan="1" {{n/a|}} Squad
|-
!colspan="10"|{{flagicon|Bahrain|2002}} Bahrain Shoot Soccer Tournament
|-bgcolor="#CC9966"
|2002{{cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bah-intshoot02.html | title=Bahrain Shoot Soccer Tournament 2002 (Manama) |publisher=RSSSF}}{{cite web | url=https://sportekspres.com/historia-e-kombetares-se-shqiperise-kur-19-vite-me-pare-luhej-ne-bahrein-per-kupen-e-kryeministrit/ | title=Historia e Kombëtares së Shqipërisë, kur 19 vite më parë luhej në Bahrein për "Kupën e Kryeministrit" |publisher= Sport Ekspres | date=7 January 2021 }}
|Third place
|3rd||3||0||2||1||1||4
|rowspan="1" {{n/a|}} Squad
|-
!Total
!Best: Winner
!6/6
!19
!6
!6
!7
!18
!27
!—
|}
FIFA rankings
As of 3 April 2025{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/associations/association/ALB/men/|title=Albania Mens ranking|publisher=FIFA}}
{{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} Best Ranking {{Color box|gold|border=darkgray}} Worst Ranking {{Color box|green|border=darkgray}} Best Mover {{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} Worst Mover
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="12" | Albania's FIFA world rankings | |||||||
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Rank
! rowspan="2" | Year ! rowspan="2" | {{Abbr|Pld|Games played}} ! colspan="2" | Best ! colspan="2" | Worst | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank
! Move ! Rank ! Move | |||||||
| 66 | 2025 | 2 | 66 | align=left|{{increase}} -1 | 66 | align=left|{{decrease}} 1 | |
| 65 | 2024 | 13 | 64 | align=left|{{increase}} 2 | 67 | align=left|{{decrease}} 2 | |
| 62 | 2023 | 9 | 59 | align=left|{{increase}} 3 | 68 | align=left|{{decrease}} 3 | |
| 66 | 2022 | 11 | 65 | align=left|{{increase}} 1 | 69 | align=left|{{decrease}} 1 | |
| 66 | 2021 | 12 | 63 | align=left|{{increase}} 3 | 69 | align=left|{{decrease}} 3 | |
| 66 | 2020 | 7 | 66 | align=left|{{increase}} 3 | 69 | align=left|{{decrease}} 3 | |
| 66 | 2019 | 9 | 61 | align=left|{{increase}} 2 | 66 | align=left|{{decrease}} 4 | |
| 60 | 2018 | 9 | 56 | align=left|{{increase}} 2 | 60 | align=left|{{decrease}} 3 | |
| 62 | 2017 | 9 | 51 | align=left|{{increase}} 9 | 71 | align=left|{{decrease}} 12 | |
| 49 | 2016 | 12 | 35 | align=left|{{increase}} 5 | 49 | align=left| {{decrease}} 10 | |
| {{Color box|blue|border=darkgray}} | 38 | 2015 | 7 | 22 | align=left|{{increase}} 15 | 63 | align=left|{{decrease}} 7 |
| {{Color box|green|border=darkgray}} | 58 | 2014 | 9 | 45 | align=left|{{increase}} 25 | 70 | align=left|{{decrease}} 16 |
| 57 | 2013 | 8 | 37 | align=left|{{increase}} 16 | 71 | align=left|{{decrease}} 13 | |
| 63 | 2012 | 9 | 58 | align=left|{{increase}} 17 | 97 | align=left|{{decrease}} 10 | |
| 74 | 2011 | 11 | 50 | align=left|{{increase}} 23 | 75 | align=left|{{decrease}} 14 | |
| 65 | 2010 | 9 | 58 | align=left|{{increase}} 13 | 97 | align=left|{{decrease}} 7 | |
| 96 | 2009 | 9 | 78 | align=left|{{increase}} 3 | 98 | align=left|{{decrease}} 11 | |
| {{Color box|red|border=darkgray}} | 81 | 2008 | 7 | 73 | align=left|{{increase}} 19 | 102 | align=left|{{decrease}} 18 |
| 80 | 2007 | 11 | 66 | align=left|{{increase}} 11 | 88 | align=left|{{decrease}} 12 | |
| 87 | 2006 | 6 | 62 | align=left|{{increase}} 20 | 88 | align=left|{{decrease}} 13 | |
| 82 | 2005 | 10 | 82 | align=left|{{increase}} 7 | 93 | align=left|{{decrease}} 4 | |
| 86 | 2004 | 8 | 86 | align=left|{{increase}} 5 | 94 | align=left|{{decrease}} 5 | |
| 89 | 2003 | 11 | 86 | align=left|{{increase}} 13 | 101 | align=left|{{decrease}} 5 | |
| 93 | 2002 | 9 | 92 | align=left|{{increase}} 4 | 97 | align=left|{{decrease}} 5 | |
| 96 | 2001 | 7 | 74 | align=left|{{increase}} 1 | 96 | align=left|{{decrease}} 6 | |
| 72 | 2000 | 8 | 72 | align=left|{{increase}} 13 | 94 | align=left|{{decrease}} 6 | |
| 83 | 1999 | 8 | 83 | align=left|{{increase}} 15 | 95 | align=left|{{decrease}} 2 | |
| 106 | 1998 | 8 | 97 | align=left|{{increase}} 14 | 109 | align=left|{{decrease}} 8 | |
| {{Color box|yellow|border=darkgray}} | 116 | 1997 | 7 | 113 | align=left|{{increase}} 8 | 124 | align=left|{{decrease}} 4 |
| {{Color box|yellow|border=darkgray}} | 116 | 1996 | 5 | 90 | align=left|{{increase}} 6 | 116 | align=left|{{decrease}} 12 |
| 91 | 1995 | 8 | 87 | align=left|{{increase}} 13 | 106 | align=left|{{decrease}} 6 | |
| 100 | 1994 | 5 | 93 | align=left|{{increase}} 9 | 113 | align=left|{{decrease}} 11 | |
| 92 | 1993 | 7 | 91 | align=left|{{increase}} 1 | 93 | align=left|{{decrease}} 6 | |
| 86 | 1992 | 86 | align=left| | 86 | align=left| |
Head-to-head record
{{updated|24 March 2025 after the match against Andorra.}}
| bgcolor="#f7f8ff" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="font-size: 95%; border: grey solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse;text-align:center;"
|+Key | style="background: #bbf3bb;" width="20" | | bgcolor="#ffffff" align="left" | Positive balance (more Wins) |
| style="background: #ffffbb;" width="20" |
| bgcolor="#ffffff" align="left" | Neutral balance (Wins = Losses) |
| style="background: #ffbbbb;" width="20" |
| bgcolor="#ffffff" align="left" | Negative balance (more Losses) |
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;" | |
| style="width:200px"|Opponent
!{{Abbr|Pld|Played}} !{{Abbr|W|Won}} !{{Abbr|D|Drawn}} !{{Abbr|L|Lost}} !{{Abbr|GF|Goals for}} !{{Abbr|GA|Goals against}} !{{Abbr|GD|Goal difference}} !{{Abbr|Win %|Winning percentage}} !Reference | |
|---|---|
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ALG}}{{efn-ua|Includes match against {{fbo|ALG|name=Algeria Olympic}}.}} |2 |1 |1 |0 |4 |1 | +3 | 50% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=6 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|AND}} |8 |6 |1 |1 |14 |4 | +10 | 75% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=5 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ARG}} |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 |4 | −4 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=7 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ARM}} |6 |4 |1 |1 |10 |5 | +5 | 66.6% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=9 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|AUT}} |7 |0 |0 |7 |2 |19 | −17 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=12 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|AZE}} |6 |4 |1 |1 |8 |4 | +4 | 66.6% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=15 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|BHR}} |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 |3 | −3 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=16 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|BLR}} |7 |3 |2 |2 |10 |10 | 0 | 42.8% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=36 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|BEL}} |2 |1 |0 |1 |3 |3 | 0 | 50% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=21 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|BIH}} |5 |1 |2 |2 |4 |5 | −1 | 20% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=26 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|BUL}} |14 |3 |4 |7 |10 |17 | −7 | 21.4% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=32 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|Cameroon}} |1 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 | 0 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=64 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|CHI}} |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 |3 | –3 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=64 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|CHN}} |2 |0 |1 |1 |3 |4 | −1 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=39 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|CRO}} |1 |0 |1 |0 |2 |2 | 0 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=47 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|CUB}} |1 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 | 0 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=87 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|CYP}} |6 |2 |2 |2 |12 |7 | +5 | 33.3% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=49 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|CZE}}{{efn-ua|Includes matches against {{fb|TCH}}.}} |10 |3 |2 |5 |11 |16 |−5 | 30% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=95 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|DEN}} |10 |1 |3 |6 |4 |19 | −15 | 10% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=56 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|East Germany}} |3 |0 |1 |2 |2 |7 | −5 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=82 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ENG}} |7 |0 |0 |7 |1 |21 | −20 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=60 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|EST}} |4 |1 |3 |0 |3 |1 | +2 | 25% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=123 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|FRO}} |2 |1 |1 |0 |3 |1 | +2 | 50% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=129 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|FIN}} |7 |2 |1 |4 |6 |8 | −2 | 28.5% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=70 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|FRA}} |9 |1 |1 |7 |4 |20 | −16 | 11.1% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=73 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|GEO}} |17 |4 |4 |9 |14 |24 | −10 | 23.5% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=85 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|GER}}{{efn-ua|Includes matches against {{fb|West Germany}}.}} |14 |0 |1 |13 |10 |38 | −28 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=86 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|GRE}}{{efn-ua|Includes awarded matches at the Euro 1964 qualifying.{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_tournament.php?id=QE-2|title=1964 European Nation's Cup Qualifying results|publisher=EU-Football.info}}}} |15 |6 |3 |6 |16 |13 | +3 | 50% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=175 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|HUN}} |8 |2 |1 |5 |2 |19 | −17 | 25% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=100 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ISL}} |9 |3 |2 |4 |11 |12 | −1 | 33.3% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=103 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|IRN}} |1 |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 | +1 | 100% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=106 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ISR}} |6 |2 |0 |4 |6 |9 | −3 | 33.3% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=210 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ITA}} |5 |0 |0 |5 |2 |9 | −5 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=111 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|JOR}} |1 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 |0 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=118 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|KAZ}} |4 |3 |1 |0 |6 |2 | +4 | 75% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=120 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|KOS}} |7 |5 |1 |1 |13 |9 | +1 | 71% |H2H results{{cite news|url=https://www.panorama.com.al/sport/opinion-nga-besnik-dizdari-armiqte-e-vertete-dhe-miqte-e-rreme-te-kosoves/|title="Armiqtë" e vërtetë dhe "miqtë" e rremë të Kosovës|trans-title=The real "enemies" and false "friends" of Kosovo|language=sq|author=Besnik Dizdari|publisher=Panorama Sport|date=15 September 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/encounter/teams/2/259/Albania_vs_Kosovo.html|title=Encounters between Albania and Kosovo|website=National-Football-Teams.com|date=11 November 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=122|title=Albania vs Kosovo H2H Results|publisher=EU-Football.info}} | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|LAT}} |5 |0 |5 |0 |6 |6 | 0 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=231 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|LIE}} |4 |4 |0 |0 |6 |0 | +9 | 100% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=126 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|LIT}} |6 |2 |1 |3 |7 |7 | 0 | 33.3% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=234 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|LUX}} |7 |3 |1 |3 |8 |7 | +1 | 42.8% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=130 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|NMK}} |10 |2 |4 |4 |7 |12 | −5 | 20% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=236 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MLT}} |8 |5 |2 |1 |14 |3 | +11 | 62.5% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=136 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MEX}} |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 |4 | −4 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=238 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MDA}} |7 |5 |2 |0 |15 |3 | +12 | 71.4% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=138 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MNE}} |3 |3 |0 |0 |9 |2 | +7 | 100% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=140 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MAR}} |1 |0 |1 |0 |0 |0 | 0 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=141 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|NED}} |4 |0 |0 |4 |1 |7 | −6 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=242 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|NIR}} |9 |2 |2 |5 |5 |13 | −8 | 22.2% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=148 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|NOR}} |5 |1 |2 |2 |5 |6 | −1 | 20% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=149 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|POL}} |15 |2 |3 |10 |10 |20 | −10 | 13.3% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=156 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|POR}} |7 |1 |1 |5 |5 |13 | −8 | 14.2% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=159 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|QAT}} |3 |2 |0 |1 |5 |3 | +2 | 66.6% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=162 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|IRL}} |4 |0 |1 |3 |2 |6 | −4 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=163 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ROU}}{{efn-ua|Includes matches against {{fbo|ROU|name=Romania Olympic}} at 1971 Mediterranean Games qualifying.}} |19 |3 |3 |13 |12 |45 |−33 | 15.7% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=165 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|RUS}} |2 |1 |0 |1 |4 |5 | −1 | 50% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=251 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SCO}} |2 |0 |0 |2 |0 |6 | −6 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=254 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SMR}} |4 |4 |0 |0 |13 |0 | +13 | 100% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=173 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|KSA}} |1 |0 |1 |0 |1 |1 |0 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=174 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SRB}} |2 |1 |0 |1 |3 |2 | +1 | 50% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=222 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SVN}} |7 |1 |2 |4 |2 |6 | −4 | 14.2% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=181 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|ESP}} |9 |0 |0 |9 |3 |32 | −28 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=185 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SWE}} |6 |1 |1 |4 |5 |11 | −6 | 16.6% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=191 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SWI}} |7 |0 |1 |6 |4 |12 | −8 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=194 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|TUR}} |12 |4 |2 |6 |14 |13 | +1 | 33.3% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=203 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|UKR}} |8 |1 |1 |6 |7 |16 | −9 | 12.5% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=265 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|UZB}} |1 |1 |0 |0 |1 |0 | +1 | 100% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=215 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#bbf3bb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|VIE}} |1 |1 |0 |0 |5 |0 | +5 | 100% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=269 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffffbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|WAL}} |4 |1 |2 |1 |2 |3 | −1 | 25% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=218 H2H results] | |
| bgcolor="#ffbbbb"
|style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|YUG}} |5 |0 |1 |4 |4 |13 | −9 | 0% | [https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&oppo=222 H2H results] |
| class="sortbottom"
!69 Nations!!398!!111!!83!!204!!383!!595!!−212!!27.8%!![https://eu-football.info/_matches.php?id=4&data=1 Albania H2H against all teams] |
Notes
{{notelist-ua}}
Honours
=Regional=
- Balkan Cup
- Champions (1): 1946
=Friendly=
- Malta International Football Tournament
- Champions (1): 2000{{cite web|url=http://eu-football.info/_tournament.php?id=MIT-8|title=Rothmans Tournament 2000 match reports|access-date=19 June 2015|archive-date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513221330/http://eu-football.info/_tournament.php?id=MIT-8|url-status=live}}
See also
{{Commons|Albania national football team kits}}
- Albanian Football Association
- Football in Albania
- Tifozat Kuq e Zi
- Albania national youth football team
- Albania national under-23 football team {{small|(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
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Albania national association football team}}
- {{official website|http://www.fshf.org/index.php/sq/}} {{in lang|sq}}
- [https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/alb/ Albania] at UEFA
- [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/associations/ALB Albania] at FIFA
- [http://www.tifozatkuqezi.com/ Tifozat Kuq e Zi / Red and Black Fan Club]
- [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesa/alba-intres.html RSSSF – Albania national football team international matches]
{{Albania national football team}}
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Category:European national association football teams