Albania National Football Team – 2025 Squad, Ranking and Fixtures
The Albania national football team, known as the Red and Blacks, represents the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) in international competitions. Under the guidance of Brazilian head coach Sylvinho, the team is currently competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with a squad that blends domestic talent with players from across Europe’s top leagues. This article provides a detailed look at the current squad, FIFA ranking, home stadium, upcoming fixtures, and historical performance.
Current Squad, Kit & Home Stadium
64 (as of latest update)
22 (2015)
Arena Kombëtare, Tirana (capacity 22,500)
Qualifying – currently in Group X
- Albania achieved its highest ever FIFA world ranking of 22nd in August 2015 following a strong EURO 2016 qualifying campaign.
- The team has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup but has participated in one UEFA European Championship (UEFA Euro 2016), reaching the group stage.
- Key players often feature in top European leagues, with several having Champions League experience (e.g., Armando Sadiku, Elseid Hysaj).
- Arena Kombëtare (formerly Qemal Stafa Stadium) is the primary home venue, with a capacity of 22,500.
- The squad is known for a mix of domestic-based and diaspora players (from Switzerland, Germany, Italy, etc.).
- Current manager: Sylvinho (as of 2025).
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Albania national football team |
| Nickname | Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks) |
| Association | Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF) |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Head coach | Sylvinho (since 2023) |
| Captain | Berat Djimsiti (as of 2025) |
| Most caps | Lorik Cana (93) |
| Top scorer | Erjon Bogdani (18) |
| FIFA code | ALB |
| Current FIFA ranking | 64 |
| Highest FIFA ranking | 22 (August 2015) |
| Lowest FIFA ranking | 124 (July 1995) |
| World Cup appearances | 0 |
| European Championship appearances | 1 (2016) |
Who are the players in the Albania national football team?
The squad for the 2025 World Cup qualifiers (June and September windows) features a core group of regulars. Key players include: Thomas Strakosha (goalkeeper, AEK Athens), Berat Djimsiti (center-back, Atalanta), Ardian Ismajli (captain), Kristjan Asllani (midfielder), Nedim Bajrami (midfielder, Rangers), and Armando Broja (forward, Burnley). Data is compiled from sources including Tribuna.com, ESPN, and Wikipedia.
Who is the goalkeeper of the Albania national team?
The primary goalkeepers in 2025 are Thomas Strakosha (age 30, AEK Athens) as the regular starter, with Alen Sherri (age 27, Frosinone) and Elhan Kastrati (age ~28) serving as backups. Other squad members include Mario Dajsinani and Simon Simoni.
What is the Albania national team jersey / kit?
The team plays in red and black vertical stripes, earning them the nickname Kuq e Zinjtë. The design for the 2025/26 season has not been officially released, but it is expected to follow the traditional color scheme.
What is the home stadium of Albania?
The team plays its home matches at Arena Kombëtare in Tirana, a stadium with a capacity of 22,500. The venue is also known as Air Albania Stadium.
FIFA Ranking & World Cup History
What is the current FIFA ranking of Albania?
As of the most recent update, Albania sits at 64th in the FIFA World Ranking. The team’s historic peak came in August 2015 when they reached 22nd, while their lowest point was 124th in July 1995.
Has Albania ever qualified for the FIFA World Cup?
Albania has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup. Their only major tournament appearance remains UEFA Euro 2016, where they reached the group stage, defeating Romania and finishing with three points.
The 2015 peak in the FIFA rankings (22nd) came after a successful EURO 2016 qualifying campaign, highlighting a period of strong form. The team has not come as close to qualifying for a World Cup, though recent performances suggest improving competitiveness.
Upcoming Fixtures and 2026 World Cup Qualification
When are the upcoming matches for Albania?
The team is actively participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, with match windows in June and September 2025. Exact dates and opponents depend on the group stage draw, but top scorers in the group include Patrik Schick (Czechia) and Erling Haaland (Norway), indicating Albania’s group likely includes these strong teams.
For the latest fixture list, check Tribuna.com or the official UEFA team page. The schedule is subject to change due to international calendar adjustments.
Who does Albania play against next?
Based on available data from the 2025 qualifiers, it appears Albania is in a UEFA group with potential opponents including Norway, Serbia, and Croatia. However, the exact next opponent is not clearly specified in current records.
How is Albania performing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
Performance data from the qualifiers is limited. The team played matches in June and September 2025, but detailed results are not fully available from the compiled sources.
Player Achievements in European Competitions
Which Albania national team players have played in the Champions League?
Several current and former Albania internationals have Champions League experience. Notable examples include Elseid Hysaj (veteran defender at Lazio, formerly Napoli) and Armando Sadiku. The exposure of players to top club competitions is a key indicator of squad quality.
How do Albanian clubs perform in European competitions?
Albanian clubs have limited impact in European club competitions, typically exiting in early qualifying rounds. No Albanian club has reached the group stage of the Champions League or Europa League in recent years. However, players like those at Atalanta (Djimsiti) and Rangers (Bajrami) represent the national team in these tournaments.
Player club affiliations and transfer market values change frequently. The data for this article reflects information from late 2025 and early 2026, compiled from Transfermarkt, ESPN, and National-Football-Teams.com.
Key Events in Albania’s Football History
- 1946 – Albania plays first official match (vs Yugoslavia, 1–3 loss)
- 1995 – Lowest FIFA ranking (124th)
- 2002 – First competitive win (vs Andorra, 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifier)
- 2015 – Peak FIFA ranking (22nd) after EURO qualifying success
- 2016 – First major tournament appearance (UEFA Euro 2016, group stage with Romania, France, Switzerland)
- 2023 – Sylvinho appointed as head coach
- 2024 – Start of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (European zone)
What’s Certain & What’s Still Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Current FIFA ranking (verified by official FIFA ranking list) | Final squad for upcoming qualifiers – subject to injuries and club commitments |
| List of players called up for last match (official FSHF announcement) | Exact match schedule for 2026 qualifiers – may shift due to international calendar |
| Home stadium location and capacity | Manager long-term continuity – depends on qualification results |
| Number of World Cup appearances (0) | Player transfer market values – fluctuate; use caution |
Background and Competitive Context
Albania’s current squad is a mix of defensive solidity and emerging youth, with significant contributions from diaspora players. Under Sylvinho, the team has shown tactical discipline but still faces challenges in converting draws into wins in competitive fixtures. Compared to the historic EURO 2016 squad, the current team has fewer players at top-tier clubs but benefits from a deeper pool of talent across Europe. The qualification path for the 2026 World Cup is demanding, with strong group opponents likely including Norway and Serbia.
Sources and Key Statements
Information is drawn from official and reputable sources:
- FSHF – Official Federation website
- FIFA Ranking – Albania
- UEFA – Albania team page
- BBC Sport – Albania
- Transfermarkt – Albania squad
“We aim to qualify for 2026 World Cup – Sylvinho”
Summary – The State of Albania’s National Team
The Albania national football team is a competitive UEFA side with a clear identity, a historic best ranking of 22nd, and a growing pool of talent. While they have yet to qualify for a World Cup, the team’s participation in the 2026 qualifiers represents another opportunity. For a deeper look at ranking trends, see our article on Albania FIFA ranking history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch Albania national team matches live?
Matches are typically broadcast on national television in Albania and on streaming platforms for international viewers. Check the FSHF official website for broadcast details.
Who is the all-time top scorer for Albania?
Erjon Bogdani holds the record with 18 goals for the national team.
How many caps does the captain have?
As of 2025, captain Berat Djimsiti has earned over 60 caps, though the exact number varies by source.
What is the Albania national team’s biggest win/loss?
The biggest win is a 5-0 victory over Vietnam in 2003. The biggest loss is a 6-0 defeat to Yugoslavia in 1946.
Does Albania have a women’s national football team?
Yes, the Albania women’s national team is also active in UEFA competitions, though it is much less prominent than the men’s team.
What is the nickname and meaning of the team crest?
The team is called Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks). The crest features a double-headed eagle, a national symbol of Albania.
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