Albania national football team

Albania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
Shqiponjat (The Eagles)
Association Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Sylvinho
Captain Berat Djimsiti
Most caps Lorik Cana (93)
Top scorer Erjon Bogdani (18)
Home stadium Arena Kombëtare
FIFA code ALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 62 Steady (21 December 2023)
Highest 22 (August 2015)
Lowest 124 (August 1997)
First international
Albania 2–3 Yugoslavia
(Tirana, Albania; 7 October 1946)
Biggest win
Albania 5–0 Vietnam
(Bastia Umbra, Italy; 12 February 2003)
Albania 6–1 Cyprus
(Tirana, Albania; 12 August 2009)
Albania 5–0 San Marino
(Elbasan, Albania; 8 September 2021)
Biggest defeat
Hungary 12–0 Albania
(Budapest, Hungary; 24 September 1950)
European Championship
Appearances 2 (first in 2016)
Best result Group stage (2016)

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

Albania competes in the three major international football tournaments—the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship and UEFA Nations League. Albania was the winner of the 1946 Balkan Cup and the 2000 Malta Rothmans International Tournament. At Euro 2016, Albania made its debut at a major men's football tournament, scoring its first goal and recording its first victory in a major tournament against Romania on 19 June 2016.It will compete in Euro 2024.

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

The colours of the team are red, white and black, and the double headed eagle is its symbol. Its supporters are collectively known as the Tifozët Kuq e Zi and use the same red and black colours as both the team and the nation's flag.

In 2020, Albania won group 4 of UEFA Nations League C and was promoted to UEFA Nations League B.

History

20th century

Commemorative stamp (2003) of the ninety years of the first unofficial match of the football nation of Albania.
Loro Boriçi captained the team in winning the 1946 Balkan Cup.
Manifest of the Fifth Albanian Football Spartakiad (1984).

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 played its first international match against Yugoslavia in 1946, which ended in a 3–2 home defeat at Qemal Stafa Stadium. 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. 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. At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe. Albania participated at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the Men's qualification tournament, and closely lost both matches against Bulgaria in the preliminary round. They would participate for the second and last time at the 1972 Summer Olympics in which they faced Romania at the Men's European Qualifiers in the Playoffs. Albania would lose both matches close with 2–1 in the first leg and 1–2 at home in the second leg.

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. In later years, Albania did not participate in the qualifiers of the World Cup 1970, UEFA Euro 1976, World Cup 1978 and UEFA Euro 1980 for unknown political reasons. After six years without playing any international matches, Albania entered in the qualifiers of the World Cup 1982, managing to finish in a place other than last for the first time in a qualifying match, with Finland getting last place instead. In the following qualification for the World Cup 1986 Albania were able to beat famously Belgium at home in Tirana with 2–0 as well as drawing away in Mielec against Poland with 2–2 despite leading until the end of this match. Their last point were won against Greece at home. Missing out close for their first ever FIFA World Cup as they finished third in the standings. The qualifiers of the World Cup 1990 were probably the worst qualifier in Albania's history as there were 6 losses in as many games with no memorable matches.

21st century

In the qualifiers of the World Cup 2002, Albania recorded a 2–0 win over Greece which was the only team that they beat during the qualifiers. Albania was able to make some impact in the qualifying of the UEFA Euro 2004 by beating 3–1 Russia at Loro Boriçi Stadium. 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.

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. 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. 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.

The team of Albania took the field with the second shirt against Austria on 26 March 2016.

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. 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. Albania started the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2016 with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal, which was followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated stadium Elbasan Arena. After beating Armenia 3–0 in the last qualifying match, Albania made history by qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2016, its first appearance at a major men's football tournament after 50 years and Albania's first-ever appearance at a competitive tournament in the history. 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.

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. 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. Panucci would be sacked after a 2–0 defeat to Turkey in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying. 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. In the end, Albania placed fourth in the group, failing to qualify.

On 17 November 2023, Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2024.

Team image

Nicknames

The team's nicknames are the "Kuq e Zinjtë" ("The Red and Blacks") and "Shqiponjat" ("The Eagles"). It is also known, among supporters, as "Kosova B" ("Kosovo B"). During the period before 2016, the national teams of Albania and Kosovo exchanged players with each other due to the complexities of descent brought on by Kosovo's independence, leading supporters to refer to each team as the other team's "reserve" side.

Kits

Albania home kit at 2016–17 season.

Albania' colours are red and black, mirroring the nation's flag. The team typically wears red shirts, black shorts and red socks. Away kits are usually all-white, with red and black trim. In the 2000s, Albania signed with German sportswear company Puma and was the first kit supplier of Albania in the 21st century. On 29 January 2016, Albania signed Italian sportswear company Macron, which continues to be Albania's kit.

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier Period Contract
Announcement Duration
Adidas 1981–1992
Umbro 1992–1993
Uhlsport 1994–1995
Puma 1996–2005
Nike 2005–2010
Adidas 2010–2016
Macron 2016–present 26 January 2016 2016–2022
9 June 2022 2022–2027

Home stadium

Construction of Arena Kombëtare in the city center, 2019

Albania's main stadium for most part of the history was Qemal Stafa Stadium located in Tirana. The work started in April 1939 during the Italy regime. The construction lasted for three years but it stopped briefly in August 1943 following the fall of fascist regime. The stadium had an Olympic Stadium shape, as idealized by Gherardo Bosio, a young fascist architect from Florence, Italy. The stadium's initial capacity was 15,000, this 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. The stadium was inaugurated officially on 7 October 1946 when Albania played its first competitive match against Yugoslavia. Ever since then, further 130 international matches took place in the stadium, with the last being a friendly against Georgia in November 2015. 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. The stadium's demolition started in June 2016, and it was announced that is going to be replaced by Arena Kombëtare.

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

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. The stadium's construction started in May 2015 and finished in August 2016. 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.

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
19 Arena Kombëtare 22,500 Tirana, Albania v. France, 17 November 2019 v. Faroe Islands, 20 October 2023
18 Elbasan Arena 13,800 Elbasan, Albania v. Denmark, 11 October 2014 v. San Marino, 8 September 2021
9 Loro Boriçi Stadium 20,200 Shkodër, Albania v. Russia, 29 March 2003 v. Turkey, 22 March 2019
6 Niko Dovana Stadium 12,040 Durrës, Albania v. Uzbekistan, 11 August 2010 v. Malta, 5 March 2014
2 Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes 19,336 Granada, Spain v. Ukraine, 29 March 1997 v. Germany, 2 April 1997
1 Skënderbeu Stadium 12,343 Korçë, Albania v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2010
1 Hardturm 16,600 Zürich, Switzerland v. Northern Ireland, 10 September 1997
1 Tomori Stadium 17,890 Berat, Albania v. Cuba, 6 August 1988
1 Flamurtari Stadium 10,500 Vlorë, Albania v. Romania, 28 October 1987

Rivalries

Kosovo

This derby is otherwise known as Brotherly derby (Albanian: Derbi vëllazëror), also known as the Brotherly (Albanian: Vëllazërorja). The documented beginnings of this derby date back to the time during the World War II, respectively on 29 November 1942, where they played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania and the match ended with a 2–0 win for Tirana, this derby is back 50 years after the first match, when the Football Federation of Kosovo signed a cooperation protocol with the Albanian Football Association and in the framework of this protocol it was decided to play on 14 February a friendly match between these two national teams, and this match ended with a 3–1 win for Albania.

Serbia

This football rivalry between Albania and Serbia is mainly due to historical tensions between the two countries. It has been described as "one of the fiercest rivalries in the world". During the Euro 2016 qualifying phase, the Serbian crowd were chanting "Kill, kill Albanians" and were throwing flares at the Albania team, after which there was a clash between the Serbia and Albania teams.

Supporters

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

Tifozat Kuq e Zi (Red and Black Fans, 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. 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. 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).

There are sports twinnings with some amateur football teams of the historic Albanian communities of Italy (Arbëreshë): in 2017, on the occasion of the Italy – Albania match played in Palermo (Sicily, Italy) for the World Cup qualifiers, the local team and the Municipality of Piana degli Albanesi welcomed the ambassador of the Republic of Albania, the official delegation of the Albanian football federation and numerous Albanian fans who also came from the Balkans, in a fraternal and sporting twinning Arbëreshë-Shqiptarë.

Albanian and Arbëreshë fans in Palermo, for the Italy-Albania 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier match on 24 March 2017.

The ongoing dispute between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Football 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.

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". 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.

Media coverage

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

27 March UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Poland 1–0 Albania Warsaw, Poland
20:45
  • Świderski 41'
Report Stadium: Stadion Narodowy
Attendance: 56,227
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
17 June UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Albania 2–0 Moldova Tirana, Albania
20:45
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 20,944
Referee: Dennis Higler (Netherlands)
20 June UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Faroe Islands 1–3 Albania Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
20:45 (19:45 UTC+1)
Report
Stadium: Tórsvøllur
Attendance: 2,507
Referee: Chrysovalantis Theouli (Cyprus)
7 September UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Czech Republic 1–1 Albania Prague, Czech Republic
20:45
Report
Stadium: Eden Arena
Attendance: 18,641
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
10 September UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Albania 2–0 Poland Tirana, Albania
20:45
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 21,900
Referee: José María Sánchez (Spain)
12 October UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Albania 3–0 Czech Republic Tirana, Albania
20:45
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 20,917
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
17 October Friendly Albania 2–0 Bulgaria Tirana, Albania
16:30
Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 17,232
Referee: Mervan Bejtullahu (Kosovo)
17 November UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Moldova 1–1 Albania Chişinău, Moldova
20:45 (21:45 UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Zimbru Stadium
Attendance: 9,537
Referee: Willie Collum (Scotland)
20 November UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Albania 0–0 Faroe Islands Tirana, Albania
20:45 Report Stadium: Arena Kombëtare
Attendance: 21,456
Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany)

2024

15 June UEFA Euro 2024 Italy v Albania Dortmund, Germany
21:00 CEST Report Stadium: Westfalenstadion
19 June UEFA Euro 2024 Croatia v Albania Hamburg, Germany
15:00 CEST Report Stadium: Volksparkstadion

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

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

Players

Current squad

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Etrit Berisha (vice-captain) 10 March 1989 80 0 Empoli
12 GK Elhan Kastrati 2 February 1997 2 0 Cittadella
23 GK Thomas Strakosha (4th captain) 19 March 1995 25 0 Brentford

2 DF Iván Balliu 1 January 1992 11 0 Rayo Vallecano
3 DF Mario Mitaj 6 August 2003 10 0 Lokomotiv Moscow
4 DF Elseid Hysaj (3rd captain) 20 February 1994 81 2 Lazio
5 DF Frédéric Veseli 20 November 1992 45 0 Fatih Karagümrük
6 DF Berat Djimsiti (captain) 19 February 1993 54 1 Atalanta
13 DF Jon Mersinaj 8 February 1999 1 0 Lokomotiva
18 DF Ardian Ismajli 30 September 1996 36 2 Empoli

7 MF Keidi Bare 28 August 1997 28 2 Espanyol
8 MF Klaus Gjasula 14 December 1989 27 0 Darmstadt 98
10 MF Nedim Bajrami 28 February 1999 19 3 Sassuolo
14 MF Qazim Laçi 19 January 1996 23 2 Sparta Prague
20 MF Ylber Ramadani 12 April 1996 32 1 Lecce
21 MF Kristjan Asllani 9 March 2002 16 2 Inter Milan
24 MF Arbnor Muçolli 15 September 1999 4 0 IFK Göteborg

9 FW Jasir Asani 19 May 1995 9 3 Gwangju
11 FW Myrto Uzuni 31 May 1995 35 5 Granada
15 FW Taulant Seferi 15 November 1996 17 3 Baniyas
16 FW Sokol Cikalleshi 27 July 1990 59 13 Konyaspor
17 FW Ernest Muçi 19 March 2001 7 2 Legia Warsaw
19 FW Mirlind Daku 1 January 1998 5 1 Rubin Kazan
22 FW Arbnor Muja 29 November 1998 5 0 Antwerp

Recent call-ups

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

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Alen Sherri 15 December 1997 1 0 Egnatia v. Bulgaria, 17 October 2023
GK Simon Simoni 14 July 2004 0 0 Eintracht Frankfurt v. Moldova, 17 June 2023U21

DF Arlind Ajeti 25 September 1993 24 1 CFR Cluj v. Moldova, 17 November 2023INJ
DF Enea Mihaj 5 July 1998 15 0 Famalicão v. Bulgaria, 17 October 2023INJ
DF Christian Cugnata 13 January 2005 0 0 Spezia v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2023PRE / U19
DF Naser Aliji 27 December 1993 13 0 Voluntari v. Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
DF Andi Hadroj 22 February 1999 3 0 Partizani v. Moldova, 17 June 2023
DF Adrian Bajrami 5 April 2002 3 0 Benfica v. Moldova, 17 June 2023U21
DF Ermir Lenjani 5 August 1989 44 5 Unattached v. Poland, 27 March 2023
DF Marash Kumbulla 8 February 2000 18 0 Roma v. Poland, 27 March 2023INJ

MF Dean Vraniçi 2 January 2006 0 0 Parma U19 v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2023PRE / U19
MF Odise Roshi 21 May 1991 71 5 Sakaryaspor v. Poland, 10 September 2023
MF Amir Abrashi 27 March 1990 50 1 Grasshoppers v. Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
MF Anis Mehmeti 9 January 2001 3 0 Bristol City v. Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
MF Lindon Selahi 26 February 1999 4 0 Rijeka v. Poland, 27 March 2023

FW Marvin Çuni 10 July 2001 1 0 Frosinone v. Bulgaria, 17 October 2023
FW Armando Broja 10 September 2001 17 4 Chelsea v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2023INJ
FW Flavio Sulejmani 20 March 2006 0 0 Lazio v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2023PRE / U19
FW Armando Sadiku 27 May 1991 39 12 Mohun Bagan v. Faroe Islands, 20 June 2023
FW Gerald Kubazi 17 August 2006 0 0 Vllaznia v. Poland, 27 March 2023PRE / U17

Notes
  • U21, U19, U17 = Was called up from national U21, U19 or U17 squad.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
  • INJ = It is not part of the current squad due to injury.

Records

As of 20 November 2023
Players in bold are still active with Albania.

Most appearances

Panajot Pano, awarded "The Player of the Century" by UEFA and rated by the Albanian Football Federation as the most outstanding national player of the last 50 years.
Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the history of Albania with 93 caps.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Lorik Cana 93 1 2003–2016
2 Elseid Hysaj 82 2 2013–present
3 Etrit Berisha 80 0 2012–present
4 Altin Lala 79 3 1998–2011
5 Klodian Duro 77 4 2001–2011
6 Erjon Bogdani 75 18 1996–2013
Ervin Skela 75 13 2000–2011
8 Ansi Agolli 73 3 2005–2017
Foto Strakosha 73 0 1990–2004
10 Odise Roshi 72 5 2011–present

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period
1 Erjon Bogdani 18 75 0.24 1996–2013
2 Alban Bushi 14 67 0.21 1995–2007
3 Sokol Cikalleshi 13 60 0.22 2014–present
Ervin Skela 13 75 0.17 2000–2011
5 Armando Sadiku 12 39 0.31 2012–present
6 Hamdi Salihi 11 50 0.22 2006–2015
Altin Rraklli 11 63 0.17 1992–2005
8 Sokol Kushta 10 31 0.32 1987–1996
Igli Tare 10 68 0.15 1997–2007
10 Bekim Balaj 9 48 0.19 2012–2022

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

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

UEFA European Championship

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

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
League phase** Finals
Season LG Grp Pos. Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK Year Pos. Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
2018–19 C 1 3rd 4 1 0 3 1 8 Same position 34th 2019 Did not qualify
2020–21 C 4 1st 6 3 2 1 8 4 Rise 35th 2021
2022–23 B 2 3rd 4 0 2 2 4 6 Same position 27th 2023
2024–25 B To be determined 2025
Total 14 4 4 6 13 18 27th Total
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
**League stage played home and away. Flag shown represents host nation for the finals stage.

Summer Olympic Games

Olympic Games record Qualification record
Year Result Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos. Pld W D L GF GA
1908 to 1936 Team did not exist Team did not exist
1948 to 1960 Did not participate Did not participate
1964 Did not qualify PR 2 0 0 2 0 2
1968 Did not participate Did not participate
1972 Did not qualify PO 2 0 0 2 2 4
1976 to 1988 Did not participate Did not participate
Since 1992 See Albania national under-23 team See Albania national under-23 team
Total 0/2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2/2 4 0 0 4 2 6

Other tournaments

Year Round Pos. Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Balkan Cup
1946 Champions 1st 3 2 0 1 6 4 Squad
1947 Fifth place 5th 4 0 0 4 2 13
1948 Fifth place 5th 3 1 2 0 1 0
Malta International Tournament
1998 Third place 3rd 3 0 2 1 3 6
2000 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 5 0
Total Best: Champions 5/5 16 6 4 6 17 23

FIFA rankings

As of December 2022 Source:

  Best Ranking    Worst Ranking    Best Mover    Worst Mover  

Albania's FIFA world rankings
Rank Year Pld Best Worst
Rank Move Rank Move
66 2022 11 65 Increase 1 69 Decrease 1
66 2021 12 63 Increase 3 69 Decrease 3
66 2020 7 66 Increase 3 69 Decrease 3
66 2019 16 61 Increase 2 66 Decrease 4
60 2018 9 56 Increase 2 60 Decrease 3
62 2017 9 51 Increase 9 71 Decrease 12
49 2016 12 35 Increase 5 49 Decrease 10
  38 2015 7 22 Increase 15 63 Decrease 7
  58 2014 9 45 Increase 25 70 Decrease 16
57 2013 8 37 Increase 16 71 Decrease 13
63 2012 9 58 Increase 17 97 Decrease 10
74 2011 11 50 Increase 23 75 Decrease 14
65 2010 9 58 Increase 13 97 Decrease 7
96 2009 9 78 Increase 3 98 Decrease 11
  81 2008 7 73 Increase 19 102 Decrease 18
80 2007 11 66 Increase 11 88 Decrease 12
87 2006 6 62 Increase 20 88 Decrease 13
82 2005 10 82 Increase 7 93 Decrease 4
86 2004 8 86 Increase 5 94 Decrease 5
89 2003 11 86 Increase 13 101 Decrease 5
93 2002 9 92 Increase 4 97 Decrease 5
96 2001 7 74 Increase 1 96 Decrease 6
72 2000 8 72 Increase 13 94 Decrease 6
83 1999 8 83 Increase 15 95 Decrease 2
106 1998 8 97 Increase 14 109 Decrease 8
  116 1997 7 113 Increase 8 124 Decrease 4
  116 1996 5 90 Increase 6 116 Decrease 12
91 1995 8 87 Increase 13 106 Decrease 6
100 1994 5 93 Increase 9 113 Decrease 11
92 1993 7 91 Increase 1 93 Decrease 6
86 1992 86 86

Honours

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

Head-to-head record

As of 17 November 2023 after the match against Moldova
Key
Positive balance (more Wins)
Neutral balance (Wins = Losses)
Negative balance (more Losses)
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win % Reference
Algeria 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 50% H2H results
H2H results*
Andorra 7 5 1 1 11 4 +7 71% H2H results
Argentina 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0% H2H results
Armenia 6 4 1 1 10 5 +5 66% H2H results
Austria 7 0 0 7 2 19 −17 0% H2H results
Azerbaijan 5 3 1 1 5 3 +2 60% H2H results
Bahrain 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0% H2H results
Belarus 7 3 2 2 10 10 0 42% H2H results
Belgium 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 50% H2H results
Bosnia and Herzegovina 5 1 2 2 4 5 −1 20% H2H results
Bulgaria 14 3 4 7 10 17 −7 21% H2H results
Cameroon 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
China 2 0 1 1 3 4 −1 0% H2H results
H2H results*
Cuba 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
Cyprus 6 2 2 2 12 7 +5 33% H2H results
Czech Republic 8 3 1 4 11 14 −5 33% H2H results
Denmark 10 1 3 6 4 19 −15 10% H2H results
East Germany 3 0 1 2 2 7 −5 0% H2H results
England 6 0 0 6 1 19 −18 0% H2H results
Estonia 4 1 3 0 3 1 +2 25% H2H results
Faroe Islands 2 1 1 0 3 1 +2 50% H2H results
Finland 7 2 1 4 6 8 −2 28% H2H results
France 9 1 1 7 4 20 −16 11% H2H results
Georgia 15 3 4 8 13 23 −10 20% H2H results
Germany 14 0 1 13 10 38 −28 0% H2H results
Greece 15 6 3 6 16 13 +3 50% H2H results
Hungary 8 2 1 5 2 19 −17 25% H2H results
Iceland 9 3 2 4 11 12 −1 33% H2H results
Iran 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% H2H results
Israel 6 2 0 4 6 9 −3 33% H2H results
Italy 4 0 0 4 1 7 −4 0% H2H results
Jordan 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
Kazakhstan 4 3 1 0 6 2 +4 75% H2H results
Kosovo 7 5 1 1 13 9 +1 71% H2H results
Latvia 5 0 5 0 6 6 0 0% H2H results
Liechtenstein 3 3 0 0 6 0 +6 100% H2H results
Lithuania 6 2 1 3 7 7 0 33% H2H results
Luxembourg 7 3 1 3 8 7 +1 42% H2H results
North Macedonia 10 2 4 4 7 12 −5 20% H2H results
Malta 8 5 2 1 14 3 +11 62% H2H results
Mexico 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0% H2H results
Moldova 8 6 2 0 17 3 +14 75% H2H results
Montenegro 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 100% H2H results
H2H results*
Morocco 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0% H2H results
Netherlands 4 0 0 4 1 7 −6 0% H2H results
Northern Ireland 9 2 2 5 5 13 −8 22% H2H results
Norway 5 1 2 2 5 6 −1 20% H2H results
Poland 15 2 3 10 10 20 −10 7% H2H results
Portugal 7 1 1 5 5 13 −8 14% H2H results
Qatar 3 2 0 1 5 3 +2 66% H2H results
Republic of Ireland 4 0 1 3 2 6 −4 0% H2H results
Romania 19 3 3 13 12 45 −33 15% H2H results
H2H results*
Russia 2 1 0 1 4 5 −1 50% H2H results
Scotland 2 0 0 2 0 6 −6 0% H2H results
San Marino 4 4 0 0 13 0 +13 100% H2H results
Saudi Arabia 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0% H2H results
Serbia 7 1 1 5 7 15 −8 14% H2H results
Slovenia 7 1 2 4 2 6 −4 14% H2H results
Spain 8 0 0 8 3 31 −28 0% H2H results
Sweden 5 1 1 3 5 10 −5 20% H2H results
Switzerland 7 0 1 6 4 12 −8 0% H2H results
Turkey 12 4 2 6 14 13 +1 33% H2H results
Ukraine 6 0 1 5 4 13 −9 0% H2H results
Uzbekistan 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100% H2H results
Vietnam 1 1 0 0 5 0 +5 100% H2H results
Wales 4 1 2 1 2 3 −1 25% H2H results
66 nations 382 105 80 197 369 578 −209 27% All H2H results
Notes
  1. Includes match against Algeria Olympic.
  2. Includes matches against Czechoslovakia.
  3. Includes matches against West Germany.
  4. Includes awarded matches at the Euro 1964 qualifying.
  5. Includes matches against Romania Olympic at 1971 Mediterranean Games qualifying.
  6. Includes matches against Yugoslavia.

See also