Albania on the pitch this year? Look no further! This comprehensive guide dives into the Albania National Football Team Squad for 2024. We’ll provide a full list of players, introduce the team’s coach and captain, and explore their home turf.
The Albania national football team represents Albania in men’s international football, and is governed by the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF), the governing body for football in Albania.
Albania competes in 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. They will compete in Euro 2024.
Albania National Football Team Players, Current squad
This is Albania team for FIFA World Cup 2026, Albania National Football Team Players for other Tournament like Euro 2024. Albania Squad for UEFA European Championship, Olympic Games, UEFA Nations League, FIFA Confederations Cup, International Friendlies and World Cup qualifying.
| No. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alen Sherri | 15 December 1997 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Egnatia | |
| 12 | Elhan Kastrati | 2 February 1997 (age 27) | 2 | 0 | Cittadella | |
| 23 | Thomas Strakosha (3rd captain) | 19 March 1995 (age 29) | 27 | 0 | Brentford | |
| Defenders | ||||||
| 2 | Iván Balliu | 1 January 1992 (age 32) | 12 | 0 | Rayo Vallecano | |
| 3 | Mario Mitaj | 6 August 2003 (age 20) | 12 | 0 | Lokomotiv Moscow | |
| 4 | Elseid Hysaj (vice-captain) | 2 February 1994 (age 30) | 83 | 2 | Lazio | |
| 5 | Frédéric Veseli | 20 November 1992 (age 31) | 45 | 0 | Fatih Karagümrük | |
| 6 | Berat Gjimshiti (captain) | 19 February 1993 (age 31) | 57 | 1 | Atalanta | |
| 13 | Enea Mihaj | 5 July 1998 (age 25) | 17 | 0 | Famalicão | |
| 18 | Jon Mersinaj | 8 February 1999 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Lokomotiva | |
| 24 | Marash Kumbulla | 8 February 2000 (age 24) | 18 | 0 | Sassuolo | |
| 25 | Naser Aliji | 27 December 1993 (age 30) | 13 | 0 | Voluntari | |
| Midfielders | ||||||
| 7 | Keidi Bare | 28 August 1997 (age 26) | 29 | 2 | Espanyol | |
| 10 | Nedim Bajrami | 28 February 1999 (age 25) | 21 | 3 | Sassuolo | |
| 14 | Qazim Laçi | 19 January 1996 (age 28) | 25 | 2 | Sparta Prague | |
| 20 | Ylber Ramadani | 12 April 1996 (age 28) | 34 | 1 | Lecce | |
| 21 | Kristjan Asllani | 9 March 2002 (age 22) | 18 | 2 | Inter Milan | |
| Forwords | ||||||
| 8 | Rey Manaj | 24 February 1997 (age 27) | 32 | 7 | Sivasspor | |
| 9 | Jasir Asani | 19 May 1995 (age 29) | 11 | 3 | Gwangju FC | |
| 15 | Taulant Seferi | 15 November 1996 (age 27) | 18 | 3 | Baniyas | |
| 16 | Sokol Cikalleshi | 27 July 1990 (age 33) | 60 | 13 | Konyaspor | |
| 17 | Ernest Muçi | 19 March 2001 (age 23) | 9 | 2 | Beşiktaş | |
| 19 | Arbnor Muçolli | 15 September 1999 (age 24) | 6 | 0 | IFK Göteborg | |
| 22 | Armando Broja | 10 September 2001 (age 22) | 19 | 4 | Fulham | |
| 26 | Arbër Hoxha | 6 October 1998 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Dinamo Zagreb | |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.
| Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etrit Berisha | 10 March 1989 (age 35) | 80 | 0 | Empoli |
| Simon Simoni | 14 July 2004 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Ardian Ismajli | 30 September 1996 (age 27) | 36 | 2 | Empoli |
| Arlind Ajeti | 25 September 1993 (age 30) | 24 | 1 | CFR Cluj |
| Andi Hadroj | 22 February 1999 (age 25) | 3 | 0 | Partizani |
| Adrian Bajrami | 5 April 2002 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | Benfica |
| Klaus Gjasula | 14 December 1989 (age 34) | 27 | 0 | Darmstadt 98 |
| Odise Roshi | 21 May 1991 (age 32) | 71 | 5 | Sakaryaspor |
| Amir Abrashi | 27 March 1990 (age 34) | 50 | 1 | Grasshoppers |
| Anis Mehmeti | 9 January 2001 (age 23) | 3 | 0 | Bristol City |
| Myrto Uzuni | 31 May 1995 (age 28) | 35 | 5 | Granada |
| Mirlind Daku | 1 January 1998 (age 26) | 5 | 1 | Rubin Kazan |
| Arbnor Muja | 29 November 1998 (age 25) | 5 | 0 | Samsunspor |
| Marvin Çuni | 10 July 2001 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Frosinone |
| Armando Sadiku | 27 May 1991 (age 32) | 39 | 12 | Mohun Bagan |
Albania Squad Euro 2024
The Albania Euro 2024 squad is close to being finalised ahead of the tournament in Germany this summer.
- GK: Alen Sherri (Egnatia)
- GK: Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella)
- GK: Thomas Strakosha (Brentford)
- DF: Ivan Balliu (Rayo Vallecano)
- DF: Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow)
- DF: Elseid Hysaj (Lazio)
- DF: Frederic Veseli (Fatih Karagumruk)
- DF: Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta)
- DF: Enea Mihaj (Famalicao)
- DF: Jon Mersinaj (Lokomotiva)
- DF: Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo)
- DF: Naser Aliji (Voluntari)
- MF: Keide Bare (Espanyol)
- MF: Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo)
- MF: Qazim Laci (Sparta Prague)
- MF: Yiber Ramadani (Lecce)
- MF: Kristjan Asllani (Inter Milan)
- FW: Rey Manaj (Sivasspor)
- FW: Jasir Asani (Gwangju FC)
- FW: Taulant Seferi (Baniyas)
- FW: Sokol Cikalleshi (Konyaspor)
- FW: Ernest Muci (Besiktas)
- FW: Arbnor Mucolli (IFK Goteborg)
- FW: Armando Broja (Fulham on loan from Chelsea)
- FW: Arber Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb)
Support staff
| 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 |
Who is Captain of Albania National Football Team?
Albania National Football Team Led by captain Berat Gjimshiti.
What is Albania’s nickname for their national football team?
Albania’s national football team has two main nicknames:
- Kuqezinjtë (pronounced KOO-kə-zin-TYA), which translates to “The Red and Blacks” in Albanian. This nickname references the team’s national colors of red and black.
- Shqiponjat (pronounced shkee-poh-NYAT), which translates to “The Eagles” in Albanian. This nickname evokes a sense of strength, determination, and national pride.
How many World Cups has Albania won?
Albania actually hasn’t won any FIFA World Cups to date. While they haven’t qualified for the final tournament yet, they have participated in qualifying campaigns since 1982 and continue to try for a spot.
Who is the head coach of the Albania national football team?
Sylvinho is the current head coach of the Albania national football team.
Albania National Football Team Home Ground
The Albania National Football Team’s home ground is the Air Albania Stadium, also known as Arena Kombëtare (National Arena) in Albanian.
Albania National Football Team Next Fixtures 2024
Friendly International:
- June 3, 2024: Albania vs Liechtenstein
- June 7, 2024: Albania vs Azerbaijan
UEFA Euro 2024 (Group B):
UEFA Nations League B (Group 1):
- September 7, 2024: Ukraine vs Albania
- September 10, 2024: Albania vs Georgia
- October 11, 2024: Czech Republic vs Albania
- October 14, 2024: Georgia vs Albania
- November 16, 2024: Albania vs Czech Republic
- November 19, 2024: Albania vs Ukraine
Albania National Football Team History
The Albanian national football team, nicknamed “The Red and Blacks” or “The Eagles,” boasts a rich history filled with moments of triumph and periods of development. While they haven’t yet qualified for a major tournament like the World Cup or the Euros, their journey reflects the spirit and determination of the Albanian people.
Early Days and Balkan Glory (1930s-1940s)
Interestingly, the Albanian national team existed before the official formation of the Albanian Football Association (FSHF) in 1930. Records show an Albanian team registered for the 1929-31 Balkan Cup, a testament to the passion for football that existed in the country. The FSHF’s establishment formalized this passion, and Albania joined FIFA shortly after. They were even invited to participate in the 1934 World Cup but couldn’t due to logistical challenges.
1946 marked a significant year for Albanian football. The team played its first official international match against Yugoslavia, a narrow 3-2 home defeat. However, this year also witnessed a major accomplishment: Albania’s victory in the Balkan Cup. Defeating Romania 1-0 in the final solidified their position as a rising force in regional football.
Political Isolation and European Integration (1950s-1980s)
The following decades were marked by political isolation under communist rule. International competitions were limited, hindering the team’s development. However, Albania participated in the inaugural European Championship (Euro Cup) qualifiers in 1962. A political forfeit by Greece in the first leg allowed Albania to advance, placing them amongst the top 16 teams in Europe for a brief period. This achievement, though short-lived, demonstrated their potential.
Albania became a founding member of UEFA in 1954, signifying their desire to integrate into European football. Despite limited international exposure, the 1980s saw a resurgence. The team came close to qualifying for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, showcasing a period of improvement.
Transition and Missed Opportunities (1990s-2000s)
The fall of communism ushered in a new era for Albanian football. The national team faced the challenge of adapting to increased competition and rebuilding after years of isolation. The 1990s were a period of transition, with mixed results and a lack of consistency.
The early 2000s brought hope with the emergence of talented players like striker Ervin Skela. However, qualifying campaigns for major tournaments continued to be unsuccessful. Managers like Otto Barić and Hans-Peter Haan failed to deliver the desired results, leaving fans frustrated.
Revival Under De Biasi and Historic Euros Qualification (2011-2016)
The appointment of Italian manager Gianni De Biasi in 2011 marked a turning point. De Biasi instilled a new tactical approach and a winning mentality. He integrated young talent like Lorik Cana, Elseid Hysaj, and Armando Sadiku, forming a strong core.
The team’s performances significantly improved under De Biasi. They qualified for Euro 2016, their first major tournament participation. Though they didn’t advance from the group stage, their presence on the big stage was a historic achievement for Albanian football.
Post-Euros and Looking Forward (2016-Present)
The post-Euros period has been one of consolidation. While they haven’t replicated the success of 2016, the team continues to develop and compete at a higher level. Players like striker Cikalli Reca and midfielder Amir Abrashi have emerged, adding depth to the squad.
Looking forward, the future of Albanian football appears bright. The national team boasts a young and talented generation ready to take on the challenge of qualifying for another major tournament. The continued development of grassroots programs and infrastructure will be crucial in sustaining this progress.
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