Albania national football team

The Albania national football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Shqipërisë) is the men's football team that has represented Albania in international competition since 1946 and is controlled by the Albanian Football Association which is headquartered in the city of Tirana. The team is affiliated with UEFA and competes in the three major professional tournaments, the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship and the UEFA Nations League. Albania was the winner of the 1946 Balkan Cup and the 2000 Malta Rothmans International Tournament. At Euro 2016, Albania made its debut at a major men's football tournament after 50 years. After its completion in 2019, Air Albania Stadium, also known as Arena Kombëtare (English: National Arena) will be the home ground of the national team. Albania's highest FIFA World Ranking was 22nd in August 2015.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Albania women's national football team.

Albania
Nickname(s)Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachEdoardo Reja
CaptainElseid Hysaj
Most capsLorik Cana (93)
Top scorerErjon Bogdani (18)
Home stadiumAir Albania Stadium
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 66 (11 June 2020)[1]
Highest22 (August 2015[2])
Lowest124 (August 1997[3])
Elo ranking
Current 75 7 (2 April 2020)[4]
Highest32 (1946[4])
Lowest118 (14 & 18 December 1994[4])
First international
Biggest win
 Albania 6–1 Cyprus 
(Tirana, Albania; 12 August 2009)[8]
 Albania 5–0 Vietnam 
(Bastria Umbra, Italy; 12 February 2003)
Biggest defeat
 Hungary 12–0 Albania 
(Budapest, Hungary; 24 September 1950)[8]
European Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2016)
Best resultGroup stage (2016)

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

History
See also: History of the Albania national football team

20th century
Loro Boriçi captained the team in winning the 1946 Balkan Cup.

Although it never played any matches, the Albanian national football team existed before the Albanian Football Association (Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit; FSHF) was created on 6 June 1930. Albania joined FIFA during a congress held between 12 June and 16 June. Albania played its first international match against Yugoslavia in 1946, which ended in a 3–2 home defeat at Qemal Stafa Stadium.[9] 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.[10] In 1954, Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA. Albania waited until 1962 to compete in a Euro Cup competition and the only time Albania was between the best 16 teams of the Continent, the reason being Albania got past the first leg as Greece, for political reasons forfeited the game.[11][12] At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.[13][14][15]

Albania participated for the first time in a qualifying phrase of a World Cup in the qualifiers of the 1966 edition in England. The team was drawn in the Group 5 which finished in the last position with only one point from six matches. In the qualifiers, of the UEFA Euro 1968 Albania had a draw 0–0 against West Germany that denied the Germans the participation to the UEFA Euro 1968 finals.[16][17] In later years, Albania did not participate in the qualifiers of the World Cup 1970, UEFA Euro 1972, UEFA Euro 1976, World Cup 1978 and UEFA Euro 1980 for unknown political reasons. After six years without playing any international matches, Albania entered in the qualifiers of the World Cup 1982, managing to finish in a place other than last for the first time in a qualifying match, with Finland getting last place instead. The qualifiers of the World Cup 1990 were probably the worst qualifier in Albania's history as there were 6 losses in as many games with no memorable matches.

21st century
Lorik Cana is Albania's most capped player of all time. He captained the French Olympique de Marseille as well as the team.

In the qualifiers of the World Cup 2002, Albania recorded a 2–0 win over Greece which was the only team that they beat during the qualifiers. Albania was able to make some impact in the qualifying of the UEFA Euro 2004 by beating 3–1 Russia at Loro Boriçi Stadium.[18] This match was also the debut of the German coach Hans-Peter Briegel who led Albania to an undefeated run at home matches. Despite the good results, Albania finished the group in the penultimate spot with only eight points. In the qualifiers of the World Cup 2006 Albania recorded some historical results. Two months after Greece beat Portugal to win the European Championship, Albania defeated Greece 2–1.[19]

In the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2008 Albania won twice in both matches against Luxembourg. Albania also drew 2–2 with Belarus and 0–0 away with Bulgaria. Albania's Euro campaign ended with a 6–1 loss away to Romania which resulted in the resignation of the coach Otto Barić and his assistant.[20] In December 2007, Arie Haan was named Albania's head coach by signing a two-year contract for the qualifiers of the World Cup 2010, where Albania made a very negative performance by winning only one match. Albania won only seven points from ten matches and Haan was replaced by Josip Kuže in May 2009 following the end of the campaign.[21] However, Kuže couldn't lead Albania to the better results as the team ended the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2012 with only nine points from ten matches. With Kuže in charge, Albania recorded its second biggest win the history by defeating Cyprus 6–1 at home, equal with Albania's 5–0 victory over Vietnam in 2003.[22]

Josip Kuže parted ways with Albania three and a half years after he started the job, and in December 2011, Italian coach Gianni de Biasi replaced him.[23] Albania started the qualifiers and was, at one point, 2nd in group with six matches played and four to spare, but failed to be successful in the last four, losing away in Slovenia and Iceland, as well as at home against Switzerland, and drawing in Cyprus.[24] Albania started the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2016 with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal,[25] which was followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated stadium Elbasan Arena.[26] After beating Armenia 3–0 in the last qualifying match, Albania made history by qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2016, its second ever appearance at a major men's football tournament.[27] In the tournament itself, Albania lost 0–1 to Switzerland and 0–2 to hosts France. While they beat Romania 1–0 (their first win against Romania since 1947), the team finished last among the third-placed teams and didn't progress beyond the group stage.[28]

Despite the UEFA European Championship's almost successful debut, Albania suffered massive setback. In 2018 World Cup qualification, Albania had been thrown into a tough group composing Spain and Italy. Albania, despite its passionate play, failed to reach the World Cup, falling to both Italy and Spain as well as a shocking 0–3 loss to Israel at home.[29] During this era, their successful manager, Gianni De Biasi, resigned and Christian Panucci, another Italian, replaced him as coach of Albania.[30] However, thing got little improved. Albania played poorly in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, winning only to Israel 1–0 and lost the remaining three, especially the devastating 0–4 defeat to Scotland at home.[31] Panucci would be sacked after a 0–2 defeat to Turkey in the opening campaign for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying.[32] Another Italian, Edoardo Reja, was appointed to help Albania to improve in a tough group,[33] but improvement is still very little. The Albanian side continued to slump, suffering a 0–1 loss away to Iceland[34] before managed to gain its second win against Moldova 2–0.[35] Reja would lead Albania in their encounter against world champions France in Paris, where the Albanians suffered a devastating 1–4 loss, the match was also marred with controversy after Andorran anthem was mistakenly played instead of Albanian one.[36] After the defeat, Albania managed one of its biggest feat in their qualification, beating 2018 World Cup participant Iceland 4–2 at home soil to keep the team on track.[37] Despite this outcome, Albania's trip to Turkey became a nightmare, when the Albanians, despite its passionate display, lost 0–1 in final minutes because of defensive mistake, thus losing every chance to qualify for the UEFA Euro 2020.[38] Eventually, Albania defeated Moldova 4–0 away, but with Turkey held France in a 1–1 draw and Iceland beat Andorra 2–0, Albania was officially eliminated from the competition.[39]

Team image

Kits

Albania's traditional colours are red and black, mirroring the nation's flag. The team typically wears red shirts, black shorts and red socks. Away kits are usually all-white, with red and black trim.

Supporters
Main article: Tifozat Kuq e Zi
A choreography of Tifozat Kuq e Zi in the national team's first match at Elbasan Arena against Denmark in October 2014.

Tifozat Kuq e Zi (English: Red and Black Fans, also known as the Albania National Football Team Supporters Club) is a non-profit football supporters' association for the Albania national football team and various national team sportive activities.[40][41] It was founded on 25 December 2003.[40] 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.[42][43] 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 Pristina, Torcida of Mitrovica, etc.), North Macedonia (Ballistët of Tetovo, Ilirët of Kumanovo, Shvercerat of Skopje, 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).[40]

The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football Association of Albania has been seen as a political intrusion by FIFA and UEFA, which led to the banning of Albania from international sportive activities. FSHF president Armand Duka is highly unwanted by the TKZ who have numerously asked for his resignation believing he is responsible for internal corruption in the Albanian Football Association.[44][45][46][47]

Matios And Ben Themselves Are The Greatest Shqiptar!

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".[48] 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.[49][50][51]

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record Qualifications record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Year Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1962 Did not participate —
1966 Did not qualify 1966 4th6015212
1970 Entry not accepted[52] —
1974 Did not qualify 1974 4th6105313
1978 Did not participate —
1982 Did not qualify 1982 4th8107422
1986 1986 3rd612369
1990 1990 4th6006315
1994 1994 7th12129626
1998 1998 6th10118720
2002 2002 5th8107514
2006 2006 5th124171120
2010 2010 5th10145613
2014 2014 5th10325911
2018 2018 3rd104151013
2022 To be determined To be determined
2026
Total — 0/21 0 0 0 0 0 0 — Total 12/21 104 18 14 72 72 188

UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualifications record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Year Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1960 Did not participate —
1964 Did not qualify 1964 1Q210114
1968 1968 3rd4013012
1972 1972 4th611459
1976 Did not participate —
1980 —
1984 Did not qualify 1984 5th8026414
1988 1988 4th6006217
1992 1992 5th7106221
1996 1996 5th102261016
2000 2000 5th10145814
2004 2004 4th82241115
2008 2008 5th122551218
2012 2012 5th10235714
2016 Group stage18th310213Squad 2016 2nd8422105
2020 Did not qualify 2020 4th104151614
2024 To be determined To be determined
Total Best: Group stage 1/16 3 1 0 2 1 3 — Total 13/16 101 20 23 58 88 173

UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R
2018–19 C 1 Group stage 3rd410318
2020–21 C 4 To be determined N/A
Total Best: Group stage 1/2 4 1 0 3 1 8 —

Fixtures and results
For all past match results of the national team, see single-season articles and the team's results page

2019
7 September UEFA Euro 2020
qualifying		France 4–1 AlbaniaSaint-Denis, France
20:45 (UTC+1) Coman  8', 68'
Giroud  27'
Ikoné  85'		 Report Cikalleshi  90' (pen.) Stadium: Stade de France
Attendance: 77,655
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain)
10 September UEFA Euro 2020
qualifying		Albania 4–2 IcelandElbasan, Albania
20:45 (UTC+1) Dermaku  32'
Hysaj  52'
Roshi  79'
Cikalleshi  83'		 Report G. Sigurðsson  47'
Sigþórsson  58'		 Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Attendance: 8,652
Referee: Ivan Kružliak (Slovakia)
11 October UEFA Euro 2020
qualifying		Turkey 1–0 AlbaniaIstanbul, Turkey
20:45 (UTC+1) Tosun  90' Report Stadium: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium
Attendance: 41,438
Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (Romania)
14 October UEFA Euro 2020
qualifying		Moldova 0–4 AlbaniaChișinău, Moldova
20:45 (UTC+1) Report Cikalleshi  22'
Bare  34'
Trashi  40'
Manaj  90'		 Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Attendance: 4,367
Referee: Chris Kavanagh (England)
14 November UEFA Euro 2020
qualifying		Albania 2–2 AndorraElbasan, Albania
20:45 (UTC+1) Balaj  6'
Manaj  55'		 Report C. Martínez  18', 48' Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)
17 November UEFA Euro 2020
qualifying		Albania 0–2 FranceTirana, Albania
20:45 (UTC+1) Report Tolisso  9'
Griezmann  30'		 Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)

2020
4 September 2020–21 UEFA
Nations League		Belarus v AlbaniaBelarus
20:45 (21:45, UTC+3) Report
7 September 2020–21 UEFA
Nations League		Albania v LithuaniaAlbania
20:45 (UTC+1) Report
7 October FriendlyArmenia v AlbaniaYerevan, Armenia
Report
10 October 2020–21 UEFA
Nations League		Kazakhstan v AlbaniaNur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
15:00 (19:00, UTC+6) Report Stadium: Astana Arena
13 October 2020–21 UEFA
Nations League		Lithuania v AlbaniaVilnius, Lithuania
20:45 (21:45, UTC+3) Report Stadium: LFF Stadium
12 November 2020–21 UEFA
Nations League		Albania v KazakhstanAlbania
20:45 (UTC+1) Report
15 November 2020–21 UEFA
Nations League		Albania v BelarusAlbania
15:00 (UTC+1) Report

Players
See also: Albania international footballers

Current squad

The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against  Andorra and  France, on 14 and 17 November 2019.[53]
All caps and goals as of 17 November 2019 after the match against  France.[54]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Etrit Berisha (Vice-captain) (1989-03-10) 10 March 1989 59 0 SPAL
12 1GK Thomas Strakosha (1995-03-19) 19 March 1995 12 0 Lazio
23 1GK Alban Hoxha (1987-11-23) 23 November 1987 3 0 Partizani Tirana
4 2DF Elseid Hysaj (1994-02-20) 20 February 1994 53 1 Napoli
3 2DF Ermir Lenjani (1989-08-05) 5 August 1989 33 3 Sion
6 2DF Berat Gjimshiti (1993-02-19) 19 February 1993 29 1 Atalanta
5 2DF Freddie Veseli (1992-11-20) 20 November 1992 26 0 Le Mans
18 2DF Ardian Ismajli (1996-09-30) 30 September 1996 11 0 Hajduk Split
17 2DF Kastriot Dermaku (1992-01-15) 15 January 1992 7 1 Parma
2 2DF Hysen Memolla (1992-07-03) 3 July 1992 3 0 Diósgyőri
13 2DF Enea Mihaj (1998-07-05) 5 July 1998 2 0 PAOK
21 3MF Odise Roshi (1991-05-21) 21 May 1991 57 5 Akhmat Grozny
9 3MF Ledian Memushaj (Captain) (1986-12-07) 7 December 1986 40 1 Pescara
7 3MF Keidi Bare (1997-08-28) 28 August 1997 7 1 Málaga
20 3MF Ylber Ramadani (1996-04-12) 12 April 1996 7 1 Vejle
16 3MF Emanuele Ndoj (1996-11-20) 20 November 1996 6 1 Brescia
8 3MF Klaus Gjasula (1989-12-14) 14 December 1989 5 0 SC Paderborn 07
22 3MF Lorenc Trashi (1992-05-19) 19 May 1992 3 1 Partizani Tirana
15 3MF Kristi Qose (1995-06-10) 10 June 1995 3 0 Karviná
19 4FW Bekim Balaj (1991-01-11) 11 January 1991 37 7 Sturm Graz
10 4FW Rey Manaj (1997-02-24) 24 February 1997 13 3 Barcelona B
14 4FW Myrto Uzuni (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995 8 0 Lokomotiva
11 4FW Taulant Seferi (1996-11-15) 15 November 1996 1 0 Neuchâtel Xamax

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Gentian Selmani (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 0 0 Menemenspor v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
DF Naser Aliji (1993-12-27) 27 December 1993 13 0 Budapest Honvéd v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
DF Iván Balliu (1992-01-01) 1 January 1992 2 0 Almería v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
DF Marash Kumbulla (2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 1 0 Hellas Verona v.  Moldova, 14 October 2019INJ
DF Mërgim Mavraj (1986-06-09) 9 June 1986 50 3 Greuther Fürth v.  Iceland, 10 September 2019INJ
DF Egzon Binaku (1995-08-27) 27 August 1995 5 0 Norrköping v.  Iceland, 10 September 2019
MF Lindon Selahi (1999-02-26) 26 February 1999 1 0 Twente v.  France, 17 November 2019
MF Taulant Xhaka (1991-03-28) 28 March 1991 31 1 Basel v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019
MF Ergys Kaçe (1993-07-08) 8 July 1993 25 2 Larissa v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
MF Endri Çekiçi (1996-11-23) 23 November 1996 0 0 Olimpija Ljubljana v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
MF Enis Çokaj (1999-02-23) 23 February 1999 0 0 Lokomotiva v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
MF Amir Abrashi (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 35 1 SC Freiburg v.  Moldova, 14 October 2019INJ
FW Giacomo Vrioni (1998-10-15) 15 October 1998 1 0 Juventus U23 v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
FW Armando Broja (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 0 0 Chelsea U23 v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019PRE
FW Florian Kamberi (1995-03-08) 8 March 1995 0 0 Hibernian v.  Andorra, 14 November 2019FIFA/INJ
FW Sokol Cikalleshi (1990-07-27) 27 July 1990 35 6 Akhisar Belediyespor v.  Moldova, 14 October 2019INJ
FW Armando Sadiku (1991-05-27) 27 May 1991 37 12 Málaga v.  France, 7 September 2019PRE/INJ
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad.
  • INJ = Not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • WD = Player withdrew due to private reasons.
  • FIFA = Is not available after FIFA did not permit him to play for Albania due to problems with documentation.

Coaching staff
See also: List of Albania national football team managers
Edoardo Reja, the current manager of the Albania national football team.

Current technical staff
Position Name
Head coach Edoardo Reja
Assistant coach(es)
Sergio Porrini
Ervin Bulku
Hamdi Salihi
Athletic coach(es) Luca Laurenti
Luigi Febbrari
Goalkeeping coach Ilir Bozhiqi
Physiotherapist(s)
Altin Haxhia
Ylli Mihali
Doctor Gianluca Stesina
Masseur Arzen Voci
Material base(s)
Fatos Kademi
Osman Bulku
Osteopat Arjan Llaperi
Team manager Dritan Babamusta
Video analyst Alarico Marco Rossi

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

Albania's main stadium for most part of the history was Qemal Stafa Stadium located in Tirana. The work started in April 1939 during the Italy regime. The construction lasted for three years but it stopped briefly in August 1943 following the fall of fascist regime.[55] The stadium had an Olympic Stadium shape, as idealized by Gherardo Bosio, a young fascist architect from Florence, Italy.[56] The stadium's initial capacity was 15,000, this due to the fact that Tirana at that time had only 60,000 inhabitants.[56] It was named after Qemal Stafa, a Hero of Albania in World War II.[57] The stadium was inaugurated officially on 7 October 1946 when Albania played its first competitive match against Yugoslavia.[58] Ever since then, further 130 international matches took place in the stadium, with the last being a friendly against Georgia in November 2015.[59] 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".[55] In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.[60] The stadium's demolition started in June 2016, and it was announced that is going to be replaced by Air Albania Stadium.[61]

Albania sometimes has played home matches at other venues. Outside Tirana, the national team has played matches in Flamurtari Stadium in Vlorë,[62] Tomori Stadium in Berat,[63] Niko Dovana Stadium in Durrës,[64] Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër[65] and Elbasan Arena in Elbasan.[66] In February 2014, due to Albania not having a stadium that fulfills international standards set by FIFA, the work for renovation of Elbasan Arena (at the time Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium) started.[67] The work lasted for 7 months, and the stadium was inaugurated on 9 October when Albania played a friendly match against KF Elbasani under-19 squad; Albania won the match 17–0.[68] The official inauguration occurred two days later in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Denmark.[69]

The first international match at Loro Boriçi Stadium was played on 29 March 2003 against Russia, with Albania winning 3–1.[18] In October 2014, Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, promised the reconstruction of the stadium.[70] The stadium's construction started in May 2015 and finished in August 2016.[71] In 2016–17, the stadium served temporary as the home of Kosovo national team, due to stadiums in Mitrovica and Pristina were under renovation and did not meet UEFA standards.[72]

Albania national football team home stadiums
Nr. of
matches		 Image Stadium Capacity Location First match Last match Ref
131 Qemal Stafa Stadium 25,000 Tirana, Albania v.  Yugoslavia, 7 October 1946 v.  Georgia, 16 November 2015 [58]
10 Elbasan Arena 13,800 Elbasan, Albania v.  Denmark, 11 October 2014 v.  Iceland, 10 September 2019 [66]
8 Loro Boriçi Stadium 20,200 Shkodër, Albania v.  Russia, 29 March 2003 v.  Italy, 9 October 2017 [65]
6 Niko Dovana Stadium 12,040 Durrës, Albania v.  Uzbekistan, 11 August 2010 v.  Malta, 5 March 2014 [64]
1 Air Albania Stadium 22,500 Tirana, Albania v.  France, 17 November 2019 [73]
1 Tomori Stadium 17,890 Berat, Albania v.  Cuba, 6 August 1988 [63]
1 Flamurtari Stadium 10,500 Vlorë, Albania v.  Romania, 28 October 1987 [62]

Individual all-time records
Main articles: List of Albania international footballers and Albania national football team records
Stamps of Albania in 2006. The 60th Anniversary of Victory at the Balkan Cup.

Below are two lists of the top 10 players with the most caps and goals for Albania.

As of 13 November 2017.[74]
  Players that are still active
  Part of the squad that won the 1946 Balkan Cup [75]
  Part of the squad that won the 2000 Rothmans International Tournament [76]

Appearances records
Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the history of Albania with 93 caps.
Panajot Pano was selected between 52 UEFA Golden Players and was rated by the Football Association of Albania as the most outstanding player of the past 50 years.
Rank Position Name Career Caps Goals
1 DF
Lorik Cana
 2003–2016 92 1
2 MF
Altin Lala
 1998–2011 79 3
3 MF
Klodian Duro
 2001–2011 77 6
4
MF
Ervin Skela
 2000–2011 75 13
5 FW
Erjon Bogdani
 1996–2013 75 18
6 GK
Foto Strakosha
 1990–2004 73 0
DF
Ansi Agolli
 2005–2018 73 3
8 FW
Andi Lila
 2007–2019 70 0
9 MF
Altin Haxhi
 1995–2009 68 3
FW
Igli Tare
 1997–2007 68 10
10 FW
Alban Bushi
 1995–2007 67 14

Top goalscorers
Hamdi Salihi is the fourth-top goalscorer in the history of Albania with 11 goals.
Rank Position Name Career Goals Caps
1 FW
Erjon Bogdani
 1996–2013 18 75
2 FW
Alban Bushi
 1995–2007 14 67
3 MF
Ervin Skela
 2000–2011 13 75
4 FW
Armando Sadiku
 2012– 12 35
5 FW
Altin Rraklli
 1992–2005 11 63
FW
Hamdi Salihi
 2006–2015 11 50
7 FW
Sokol Kushta
 1987–1996 10 31
FW
Igli Tare
 1997–2007 10 68
9 DF
Adrian Aliaj
 2002–2006 8 29
10
FW
Bekim Balaj
 2012– 7 35

Captains
Main article: List of Albania national football team captains

List of captaincy periods of the various captains throughout the years.[77]

  1. 1946–1953 Loro Boriçi
  2. 1946 → Bahri Kavaja (Vice-captain)
  3. 1958 Besim Fagu
  4. 1963–1964 Fatbardh Deliallisi
  5. 1964–1970 Lin Shllaku
  6. 1967 → Mikel Janku (Vice-captain)
  7. 1970–1973 Panajot Pano
  8. 1971 → Bashkim Muhedini (Vice-captain)
  9. 1973 → Ramazan Rragami (Vice-captain)
  10. 1976 Sabah Bizi
  11. 1980–1981 Safet Berisha
  12. 1982 Ilir Luarasi
  13. 1982–1985 Muhedin Targaj
  14. 1983 → Haxhi Ballgjini (Vice-captain)
  15. 1986–1989 Arben Minga
  16. 1987 → Perlat Musta (Vice-captain)
  17. 1987 → Shkëlqim Muça (Vice-captain)
  18. 1989–1990 Skënder Hodja
  19. 1990–1995 Sulejman Demollari
  20. 1990–1991 → Hysen Zmijani (Vice-captain)
  21. 1992 → Agustin Kola (Vice-captain)
  22. 1993 → Sokol Kushta (Vice-captain)
  23. 1995 → Foto Strakosha (Vice-captain)
  24. 1995 → Ilir Shulku (Vice-captain)
  25. 1995–1996 Sokol Kushta
  26. 1996 → Foto Strakosha (Vice-captain)
  27. 1997–2002 Rudi Vata
  28. 2000 → Edvin Murati (Vice-captain)
  29. 2001 → Foto Strakosha (Vice-captain)
  30. 2002 → Indrit Fortuzi (Vice-captain)
  31. 2002–2004 Foto Strakosha
  32. 2004 → Besnik Hasi (Vice-captain)
  33. 2005–2007 Igli Tare
  34. 2005 → Altin Haxhi (Vice-captain)
  35. 2005–2006 → Altin Lala (Vice-captain)
  36. 2005 → Alban Bushi (Vice-captain)
  37. 2005 → Besnik Hasi (Vice-captain)
  38. 2007–2009 Altin Lala
  39. 2007 → Klodian Duro (Vice-captain)
  40. 2007 → Altin Haxhi (Vice-captain)
  41. 2007–2009 → Ervin Skela (Vice-captain)
  42. 2009–2011 Ervin Skela
  43. 2009 → Elvin Beqiri (Vice-captain)
  44. 2010–2011 → Altin Lala (Vice-captain)
  45. 2010 → Lorik Cana (Vice-captain)
  46. 2011 Altin Lala
  47. 2011 → Lorik Cana (Vice-captain)
  48. 2011 → Arjan Beqaj (Vice-captain)
  49. 2011–2016 Lorik Cana
  50. 2012–2013 → Ervin Bulku (Vice-captain)
  51. 2013 → Erjon Bogdani (Vice-captain)
  52. 2014 → Etrit Berisha (Vice-captain)
  53. 2015–2016 → Ansi Agolli (Vice-captain)
  54. 2016 → Ledian Memushaj (Vice-captain)
  55. 2016 → Elseid Hysaj (Vice-captain)
  56. 2016–0000 Ansi Agolli
  57. 2016–2017 → Mërgim Mavraj (Vice-captain)
  58. 2017 → Elseid Hysaj (Vice-captain)
  59. 2017–0000→ Etrit Berisha (Vice-captain)

Honours
Stamps of Albania, 2007. 60th Anniversary of Victory at the Balkan Cup

Media coverage

Albania's qualifying matches and friendlies are currently televised by RTSH and SuperSport Albania, a trademark of Digitalb.

Head-to-Head records against other countries
As of 17 November 2019
  1. The Serbia v Albania match was abandoned with the score at 0–0 shortly before halftime after "various incidents", which resulted in the Albania players refusing to return to the field. UEFA ruled that Albania had forfeited the match and awarded a 3–0 win to Serbia, but also deducted three points from Serbia for their involvement in the events. Serbia must also play their next two home qualifying games behind closed doors, and both the Serbian and Albanian FAs were fined €100,000.[80] Both the Serbian and Albanian football associations were looking to have the decision revisited,[81][82] but the decision was upheld by UEFA.[83] Both associations then filed further appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,[84] and on 10 July 2015 the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected the appeal filed by the Serbian FA, and upholds in part the appeal filed by the Albanian FA, meaning the match is deemed to have been forfeited by Serbia with 0–3 and they are still deducted three points.[85] Serbian FA announced appeal at the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.[86]

See also

Notes and references

Notes
  1. ^
    The alternative name of the Albania national team that was used during this match.[7]

References
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  4. Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
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  7. Mendrit Shehu (18 November 2019). "Kosova, kalvari sportiv e miqësorja e harruar me Jugosllavinë" [Kosovo, the sports ordeal and the forgotten friendly with Yugoslavia]. Gazetasi (in Albanian).
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