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Kosovo national football team
Men's national association football team representing Kosovo From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Kosovo national football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Kosovës; Serbian: Фудбалска репрезентација Косова, romanized: Fudbalska reprezentacija Kosova) represents Kosovo in men's international football. The team is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo, the governing body for football in Kosovo, and is under the jurisdiction of FIFA globally.
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History
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Pre-independence
First match
On 29 November 1942, Kosovo for first time in its history played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania against Tirana[a] and the match ended with a 2–0 away defeat and the starting line-up of that match was Mustafa Daci (GK), Ballanca, Ahmet Zaimi, Mazllum Xërxa, Veseli, Hajdar Hamza, Nebil Dylatahu, Ramadan Vraniqi, Dobrica Barbaroga,[b] Bajrami and Henci.[5][6][4]
Yugoslav era
"The purpose of this friendly match is that we wanted to face a team that has the same temperament and character as Albania national team."
—The reasoning of the then head coach of Yugoslavia, Rajko Mitić for the reason for organizing the Kosovo–Yugoslavia match.[4]
On 8 November 1967, Kosovo for first time as autonomous province of SFR Yugoslavia played a friendly match against Yugoslavia and the match ended with a 3–3 home draw and the starting line-up of that match was a mix between Albanian and Serbian players as Milosavlević, Stevanović, Mušikić, Abrashi, S. Džukić, V. Džukić, Brovina, Hatibi, Radović, Prekazi and Pindović, for Yugoslavia this match it was a pre-preparation before the UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying match against Albania.
As part of Yugoslavia national team
Yugoslav squads at international competitions often included players from Kosovo, such as Fadil Vokrri and Stevan Stojanović. Three other footballers from Kosovo, Fahrudin Jusufi, Milutin Šoškić and Vladimir Durković, were part of the Yugoslav team that won the gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics and silver medal at the 1960 European Nations' Cup.
After breakup of Yugoslavia
On 20 January 1993, 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 Albania and Kosovo, which was the first match of Kosovo following the breakup of Yugoslavia,[7] and this match ended with a 1–3 defeat and the starting line-up of that match was Ahmet Beselica (GK), Ardian Kozniku, Bardhec Seferi, Fadil Berisha, Gani Llapashtica, Genc Hoxha, Isa Sadriu, Kushtrim Munishi, Muharrem Sahiti, Sadullah Ajeti and Selajdin Jerliu.[8]
During UN administration
"I am very pleased with the team's performance even though we had predicted a stronger opponent. However, I want to emphasize that our players have been fantastic. The fact that we do not play many international matches may have inspired the players to give it their all this time."
—Opinion of the then coach Muharrem Sahiti after the match against Monaco.[9]
On 7 September 2002, Kosovo for first time after the Kosovo War played a friendly match against Albania and the match ended with a 0–1 home minimal defeat and the starting line-up of that match was Ahmet Beselica (GK), Ardian Kozniku, Arsim Abazi, Besnik Kollari, Fadil Ademi, Faruk Statovci, Ismet Munishi, Mehmet Dragusha, Sunaj Keqi, Xhevdet Llumnica and Zenun Selimi.[10]
One of the most important international matches was a 1–0 win over Saudi Arabia played on 15 June 2007. It was the first time that Kosovo played against a team that has taken part in the FIFA World Cup and the winning goal was scored by Kristian Nushi from the penalty kick on the 84th minute.[11] On 22 April 2006, Kosovo achieved their biggest win, defeating Monaco 7–1. If one included matches played before Kosovo became a FIFA member, this scoreline is their best result yet.[12]
After independence
First match
On 17 February 2010, for the first time since its declaration of independence, Kosovo played a friendly match against Albania (the match ended with a 2–3 home defeat for Kosovo). The starting line-up of that match was Kushtrim Mushica (GK), Anel Rashkaj, Dukagjin Gashi, Enis Zabërgja, Fisnik Papuçi, Ilir Nallbani, Liridon Kukaj, Robert Gjeraj, Shpëtim Hasani and Yll Hoxha. This match had a charity character as the profits gathered from this meeting went to those affected by floods in Shkodër.[13]
Efforts for internationalization
On 6 May 2008, after its declaration of independence from Serbia, Kosovo applied for FIFA membership. On 24 October 2008, Kosovo's application was discussed at the FIFA Congress in Zürich and Kosovo's bid was rejected. At the occasion, FIFA's determined Kosovo could not even play friendly matches against FIFA members' national teams.[14]
In September 2012, Albania international Lorik Cana, along with Swiss internationals Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami and Xherdan Shaqiri, all of them with Kosovo Albanian origin, wrote a declaration to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, asking him to allow Kosovo to play friendly matches. The declaration was also signed by eight other Albanian footballers hailing from Kosovo as Ahmed Januzi, Alban Meha, Armend Dallku, Burim Kukeli, Etrit Berisha, Fatmire Bajramaj, Lorik Cana, Mërgim Mavraj and Samir Ujkani.[15] Some players, especially Kosovo Serbs as Milan Biševac and Miloš Krasić, continued to play for Serbia.[16][17]
Permission by FIFA to play friendlies
On 6 February 2013, FIFA decided to allow Kosovan club teams to play friendly games against clubs from countries whose national teams were members of FIFA.[20] However, it was stipulated that Kosovan clubs and teams could not display national symbols such as the Kosovan flag, emblem, etc., or play the Kosovan anthem.[20]
On 5 March 2014, the Kosovan football team was finally allowed by FIFA to play its first international friendly match, against Haiti; the match ended in a 0–0 draw.[21][22] Before the match, some players of Kosovo posed with guns at a shooting range, causing a stir in Serbia.[23] On the eve of the match, supporters of Kosovo burned the flag of Serbia.[24] This incident prompted the Football Association of Serbia to request that FIFA revoked Kosovo's right to play international friendlies.[25]
After the match against Haiti, six more matches were held in 2014, against Turkey, Senegal, Oman, Equatorial Guinea and Albania. The first win in these friendlies was against Oman, by 1–0,[26] while the biggest defeat a 1–6 against Turkey.[27]
Membership in UEFA and FIFA
In September 2015, at an UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Malta, the request from Kosovo for admission in UEFA was scheduled for deliberation in the next Ordinary Congress, to be held in Budapest.[28] On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress, Kosovo was accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 in favor of Kosovo.[29][30] Ten days later, Kosovo was accepted in FIFA during their 66th Congress in Mexico, with 141 votes in favour and 23 against.[31]
First tournament
Debut in World Cup qualification and nearly successful first Euro attempt
Kosovo began to make their debut in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, where Kosovo was assigned with Croatia, Finland, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine.[32][33] The Kosovars created its first major surprise, holding host Finland to a 1–1 draw,[34] but it turned to be the lone point of Kosovo in the qualification, as the team lost the remaining games and finished last.
Following the failure to qualify for 2018 FIFA World Cup, Kosovo participated in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D sharing group with Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands and Malta,[37][38] where the Kosovars topped their group undefeated to reach the country's first-ever play-offs in its attempt to qualify for UEFA Euro 2020.[39] After the successful Nations League, Kosovo entered the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, where they shared group A with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Montenegro and 2018 World Cup fourth place finisher England.[40] As the dark horse of the qualification, Kosovo however created a major phenomenon, managed to beat Bulgaria, Montenegro and especially, a shock home win over the Czechs to take the second place behind England, being 15 matches and on that time nearly two years without defeat winning 11 of these 15 matches. The game against England away even saw the Kosovars took an early lead in the surprise, even though they were unable to protect it and fell 3–5 away, ending the longest unbeaten run in the football history of Kosovo.[41] In the decisive match against the Czechs away, which Kosovo needed a win to directly qualify for the first time, Kosovo gained a shock lead, but failed to protect it again as they lost 1–2 and could only participate in the play-off,[42] but this remained to be Kosovo's greatest success up to date.
Setback
After successfully obtained a play-off position, Kosovo headed to the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C, being drawn with Greece, Moldova and Slovenia.[43] After impressive performance in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, Kosovo was tipped favorably to promote to League B. Yet, Kosovo began the Nations League with a disappointing 1–1 away draw to Moldova,[44] before the team which was halved due to the absences of key players suffered a 1–2 home loss against Greece.[45]
In Kosovo's first competitive UEFA Euro play-offs, Kosovo was drawn against North Macedonia.[42] However, Kosovo was eliminated after losing 1–2 to the Macedonians in Skopje.[46] After the elimination in the play-off's semifinals, the Kosovo's setback continues and the year 2020 was ended six losses, two draws and a victory in the last match of the year against Moldova, a victory which secured the attitude even for another season in the League C of the UEFA Nations League.[47] The result marked the conclusion of a challenging period and initiated a new phase for the national team.[47]
The path to stabilization and growth
In the qualification campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Kosovo competed in Group B alongside Georgia, Greece, Spain and Sweden.[48] Despite some competitive performances, Kosovo finished second from bottom in the group and did not secure qualification.[49] In the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League, Kosovo showed signs of improvement. The team finished second in its League C group, registering wins against Cyprus,[50] Northern Ireland,[51] and suffering two losses from Greece. This position granted Kosovo access to the playoff route for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying via the Nations League rankings.[52] During the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Kosovo was placed in a group with Andorra, Belarus, Israel, Romania and Switzerland. After a series of results, including multiple draws, Kosovo concluded the campaign in fourth place with 11 points, missing out on direct qualification.[53]
In the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League, Kosovo competed in League C, alongside Cyprus, Lithuania and Romania.[54] The national team began the campaign with a home defeat to Romania but responded with several convincing victories, including two wins over Cyprus and an away win against Lithuania.[55] The return match against Romania, held on 15 November 2024 in Bucharest, was abandoned and later awarded as a 3–0 forfeit loss to Kosovo.[56] The decision came after tensions escalated during the match, involving clashes between players and fans, object-throwing, and physical altercations on the pitch,[57] leading UEFA to end the game prematurely and issue disciplinary action.[58] Kosovo finished second in the group with 13 points, securing a spot in the promotion play-offs to League B.[59] In March 2025, Kosovo faced Iceland in the promotion play-offs over two legs.[60] The first leg, played home ended in a 2–1 win for Kosovo,[61] followed by a 3–1 away victory.[62] With a 5–2 aggregate score, Kosovo achieved promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League for the first time in its history.[62]
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Team image
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Nicknames
The Kosovo national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Dardanët" ("Dardanians"). In addition to the official nickname, the Kosovo national team had different nicknames in different periods as:
- "Shqipëria B" ("Albania B") — During the period before 2016, the national teams of Kosovo and Albania have exchanged players with each other, which influenced these two teams to be nicknamed reserve (B) teams of each other, the Kosovo national team was nicknamed Albania B due to many players came to play for Kosovo as they had no space to play for Albania, but the same thing happened with the Albanian national team which was nicknamed Kosovo B due to of the large number of players of Kosovo Albanian descent in its composition.[63]
- "Ekipi i Kosovës" ("Team Kosovo") — The Kosovo national team during the 2009–10 period was introduced with the nickname that was used as an alternative name in order to avoid possible sanctions by UEFA and FIFA against Kosovo and the opponents that Kosovo played. After Kosovo was allowed on 6 February 2013 by FIFA to play against FIFA member associations in international friendlies,[20] this alternative name was no longer used.
- "Brazili i Ballkanit" ("Brazil of the Balkans") — The Kosovo national team was nicknamed the Brazil of the Balkans during their fifteen-match unbeaten run during the 2018–19 season.[36][64][65]
Kits and crest
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kosovo national football team kits.
Kosovo kit in the first competitive match against Finland in September 2016.
The Kosovo kit has been mostly red and black before declaration of independence with few changes throughout the years and after the independence the kits are mostly blue and yellow. On 5 October 2016, Kosovo signed with Spanish sportswear company Kelme to a four-year contract and was the first official kit suppliers of Kosovo after membership in UEFA and FIFA.[66] On 23 February 2022, Kosovo signed with Italian sportswear company Erreà to a three-year contract for it to the kit suppliers of Kosovo.[67]
Kit sponsorship
Home stadium
![Thumb](#/media/File:Stadiumi_"Fadil_Vokrri".jpg)
![Thumb](#/media/File:Olympisches_Stadium_"Adem_Jashari"_Mitrovicë.jpg)
Kosovo's home stadium is the Fadil Vokrri Stadium. The stadium capacity is 13,500, which makes it the second largest national stadium in Kosovo. Kosovo's previous national stadium was the Adem Jashari Olympic Stadium which is currently under renovation. Kosovo also used Loro Boriçi Stadium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign,[68][69] and this happened after the two stadiums in Pristina and Mitrovica at that time were under renovation and do not meet UEFA standards.[70] On 12 July 2019, the construction of Kosovo National Stadium began,[71] and two days later the project of this stadium was presented which would have a capacity of 30,000 seats,[72] but after the presentation, the construction was suspended for political reasons related to the location.[73]
- As of 20 March 2025[74]
Rivalries
Albania
This derby is otherwise known as Brotherly derby (Albanian: Derbi vëllazëror), also known as the Brotherly (Albanian: Vëllazërorja). The documented beginnings of this derby date back to the time during the World War II, respectively on 29 November 1942, where they played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania and the match ended with a 2–0 win for Tirana,[a][5][6][4] 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,[7] and this match ended with a 3–1 win for Albania.[8]
Romania
Kosovo and Romania have a tense football rivalry, largely due to Romania's support for Serbia's territorial integrity and has not recognized the legitimacy of Kosovo's independence. The two teams have faced each other several times, with each match resulting in significant controversy. In a September 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Kosovo walked off the pitch in protest after incidents involving Romanian fans, including pro-Serbia chants and banners.[78] The match resumed, but Kosovo's appeal for a 3–0 victory was rejected and Romania won 2–0.[79] In their 2024–25 UEFA Nations League encounters, tensions escalated further with fights on the pitch, object-throwing and clashes between players and fans.[57] The final match was abandoned and Romania was later awarded a 3–0 victory.[56] Both teams faced fines for the incidents and the Football Federation of Kosovo subsequently confirmed they would appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.[58]
Media coverage
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Results and fixtures
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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
2024
| 5 June Friendly | Norway  | 3–0 |  Kosovo | Oslo, Norway |
| 19:00 | Haaland  15', 70', 75' |
Report | Stadium: Ullevaal Stadion Attendance: 19,634 Referee: Mikkel Redder (Denmark) |
| 6 September 2024–25 Nations League | Kosovo | 0–3 |  Romania | Pristina, Kosovo |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 12,872 Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan) |
| 9 September 2024–25 Nations League | Cyprus  | 0–4 | Kosovo | Larnaca, Cyprus |
| 18:00 (19:00 UTC+3) | Report |
|
Stadium: AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis Attendance: 2,041 Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria) |
| 12 October 2024–25 Nations League | Lithuania  | 1–2 | Kosovo | Kaunas, Lithuania |
| 15:00 (16:00 UTC+3) | Golubickas 84' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Darius and Girėnas Stadium Attendance: 7,554 Referee: Ondřej Berka (Czech Republic) |
| 15 October 2024–25 Nations League | Kosovo | 3–0 | Cyprus | Pristina, Kosovo |
| 20:45 |
|
Report | Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 12,863 Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia) |
| 15 November 2024–25 Nations League | Romania | 3–0 Awarded[c] | Kosovo | Bucharest, Romania |
| 20:45 (21:45 UTC+2) | Report | Stadium: Arena Națională Attendance: 48,957 Referee: Morten Krogh (Denmark) |
| 18 November 2024–25 Nations League | Kosovo | 1–0 | Lithuania | Pristina, Kosovo |
| 20:45 | Jashari 5' |
Report | Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 12,856 Referee: Kristoffer Hagenes (Norway) |
2025
| 20 March 2024–25 Nations League play-offs | Kosovo | 2–1 |  Iceland | Pristina, Kosovo |
| 20:45 | Report | Óskarsson 22' |
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Attendance: 12,857 Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands) |
| 23 March 2024–25 Nations League play-offs | Iceland | 1–3 (2–5 agg.) | Kosovo | Murcia, Spain[d] |
| 18:00 (17:00 UTC±0) | Óskarsson 2' |
Report | Muriqi 35', 45+3', 79' |
Stadium: Estadio Nueva Condomina Attendance: 1,553 Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Spain) |
| 5 September 2026 World Cup qualification | Switzerland  | v | Kosovo | Basel, Switzerland |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: St. Jakob-Park |
| 8 September 2026 World Cup qualification | Kosovo | v |  Sweden | Pristina, Kosovo |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium |
| 10 October 2026 World Cup qualification | Kosovo | v |  Slovenia | Pristina, Kosovo |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium |
| 13 October 2026 World Cup qualification | Sweden | v | Kosovo | Solna, Sweden |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: Strawberry Arena |
| 15 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Slovenia | v | Kosovo | Ljubljana, Slovenia |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: Stožice Stadium |
| 18 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Kosovo | v | Switzerland | Pristina, Kosovo |
| 20:45 | Report | Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium |
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Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
Manager history
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Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League play-offs against Iceland, on 20 and 23 March 2025.[89]
- Caps and goals are correct as of 23 March 2025[update], after the match against Iceland.[90]
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.
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Records
- Players in bold are still active with Kosovo.[91]
Most appearances
- As of 23 March 2025[92]
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Top goalscorers
- As of 23 March 2025[93]
_05.jpg)
Captains
- As of 23 March 2025[94]
Samir Ujkani is the second-most capped player as captain in the history of Kosovo, with 30 appearances.
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Competitive record
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FIFA World Cup
On 9 June 2016, the UEFA Emergency Panel decided that Kosovo would join Croatia, Finland, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine in Group I, and also decided that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia should not play against Kosovo for security reasons.[32][33] On 5 September 2016, Kosovo made its debut in FIFA World Cup qualification with a 1–1 away draw against Finland, with Kosovo's equalizing goal being scored by newcomer Valon Berisha from a penalty kick in the 60th minute.[34] On 2 September 2021, Kosovo achieved their first win in the FIFA World Cup qualifications a 1–0 away win against Georgia.[95]
- Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks; correct as of 14 November 2021 after the match against
Greece.[97]
UEFA European Championship
On 2 December 2018, in Dublin, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group A of the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, together with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Montenegro and 2018 World Cup fourth place finisher England.[40] On 25 March 2019, Kosovo made their debut on UEFA European Championship qualifying with a 1–1 home draw against Bulgaria and the draw goal was scored by Arbër Zeneli on the 61st minute.[98] On 11 June 2019, Kosovo won their first qualifying match for a major tournament by defeating Bulgaria 3–2.[99]
- Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out; correct as of 21 November 2023 after match against
Belarus.[100]
UEFA Nations League
On 24 January 2018, in Lausanne, it was decided that Kosovo should be part of League D in Group 3 of the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League, together with Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands and Malta.[37][38] On 7 September 2018, Kosovo made their debut in the UEFA Nations League with a 0–0 away draw against Azerbaijan.[101] On 10 September 2018, Kosovo achieved their first win in the UEFA Nations League, which was also the team's first-ever competitive win, a 2–0 home win against the Faroe Islands.[102] Kosovo finished the league unbeaten (with four wins and two draws) and will be promoted to the next tier (C league) for the next edition.[39]
- Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out; correct as of 23 March 2025[update], after the match against
Iceland.[103]
Non-FIFA Tournament
Kosovo for first time after the Kosovo War participated in a tournament held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Turkish Football Association. Kosovo lost against the host with result 1–0 and won against Sàpmi with result 4–1.[104]
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FIFA ranking history
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- As of 3 April 2025[3]
Best ranking Worst ranking Best mover Worst mover
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Head-to-head record
See also
Men's
Women's
Notes and references
External links
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