Albania national under-21 football team

Albania Under-21

Nickname(s)	Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks) Shpresat e Shqipërisë (Albania's Hopes)
Association	Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Alban Bushi
Captain	Medon Berisha
Most caps	Shaqir Tafa (24)
Top scorer	Odise Roshi (11)
Home stadium	Elbasan Arena Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA code	ALB
First colours Second colours Third colours
First international
Yugoslavia 1–0 Albania  (Thessaloniki, Greece; 25 June 1976)[1]
Biggest win
Albania 7–1 Romania  (Tirana, Albania; April 12, 1978)[2]
Biggest defeat
Germany 8–0 Albania  (Cologne, Germany; March 23, 2001)
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances	1 (first in 1984)
Best result	Quarter-finals, 1984
Medal record Albania national under-21 football team Medal record U-21 Balkan Youth Championship 1976–1978 Team 1981 Team

The Albania national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania. The team competes in the European Under-21 Football Championship, which is held every two years.

Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Albanian under-21 team was formed.

Albania Under-21 participated in the Balkan Youth Championship as a succeder^{[clarification needed]} of Under-23 team, in the 1976–78 and 1981 competitions, winning both with finals against Romania and Bulgaria. Notably in 1978, the second leg of the final match against Romania was characterized by a large Albania's win 7–1, which is the largest win ever recorded by Albania U-21.^[3]

In 1978 a Competition for the European Under-21 teams was created but the Albania Under-21s didn't participated in first 3 editions and debuted in the competition in the 1984s Championship where they managed to qualify for the first and only time in their history although they were competing for the first time in such tournament. The historic event was the first time any Albanian squad qualified for a Europe or World Championship, and only the fifth time any Albanian squad qualified for the major championships. To this day the team that qualified for that competition are still regarded as the most successful team in Albanian football history. In the qualifying stage they were drawn in a very tough group which included the West Germany, Turkey and Austria. Albania U21 managed to qualify without losing a single game winning both home-away versus Austria (1–2 away & 3–0 home) & Turkey (both 1–0) and managing two very good draws against one of the biggest and best footballing nations, West Germany (both 1–1), heading the group with 10 points, 1 above West Germany. Albania played the quarter finals against Italy, against which it lost twice 0–1 both home and away as Italy advanced to the semifinals losing against England, the eventual champions.

In the 1986 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came last in group after Poland and Greece, and could not qualify. In the 1988 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came again last in group after Spain, Romania and Austria. In the 1990 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came last in group after Sweden, England and Poland. In the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship managed to precede Iceland as last in the group, but was preceded by Czechoslovakia, France and Spain. In the qualifiers of the 1994 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania preceded bottom team Republic of Ireland, but was preceded by Spain, Germany and Denmark.

In the 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualification Albania did not participate. In the qualifiers of the 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania left behind Armenia, but had to trail in the final rankings Germany, Ukraine, and Portugal. In the qualifiers of the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania trailed Greece, Norway, Georgia, Latvia, and Slovenia and closed at the bottom of the group. In the qualifiers of the 2002 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came again last behind England, Greece, Germany, and Finland.

In the qualifiers of the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania had the best result since Euro '84, when it had won the group, as it left two teams behind (Republic of Ireland and Georgia), but was preceded by Switzerland and Russia, and thus failed to qualify to the main tournament. In the qualifiers of the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania left behind itself Kazakhstan, but was preceded by Denmark, Ukraine, Greece, Turkey, and Georgia. In the qualifiers of the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, in a 3 teams group, Albania came last behind Spain and Slovakia and failed to qualify.

In the qualifiers of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania was fourth out of 6 teams in the final ranking, leaving behind the Faroe Islands and Azerbaijan, but trailing behind Italy, Croatia and Greece. In the qualifiers of the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania left again behind Azerbaijan but trailed Scotland, Belarus, and Austria in the final rankings. In the qualifiers of the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Albania came last trailing behind Russia, Portugal, Poland, and Moldova. However, as a consolation for the first time an Albanian footballer, Armando Sadiku was the top goalscorer of the group. Albania drew in Russia against the famous hosts during that tournament, a noticeable fact. Albania were also able to draw against Portugal in Durrës with 2–2 during this qualifying. Albania suffered close loses against Poland in Grudziądz with 4–3 and to Russia with 0–1 in Durrës respectively.

In the qualification in Group 4 Albania would finish in last place. They were able to beat Hungary with 0–2 away from home.^[4] Albania would also beat notable Austria with 1–3 away from home in the Liebenauer Stadium in Graz.^[5] As a fact Albanian won for the first time in their history more matches away than at home in an Under-21 qualification. In the following 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 4. Albania finished fourth leaving Hungary and Liechtenstein but trailing behind Greece, Israel and eventual Group winners Portugal. securing 12 points in the progress. Albania were able to win three matches in this qualifying. They beat Liechtenstein with 2-0 and away from home with the same result. As well as beating Hungary in Elbasan with 2–1 in fact.^[6] They drew three times once against Israel in Elbasan with 1-1 and away to Hungary with 2-2 and in the derby at home against Greece with 0:0.^[7]

The event was classified as a U-23 tournament where at time were played three competitions, 1972, 1974 & 1976.

UEFA European Under-21 Championship record										UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification record							Manager(s)
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D *	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1978	did not enter									did not enter
1980	did not enter									did not enter
1982	did not enter									did not enter
1984	Quarter Final	6th of 8	2	0	0	2	0	2		6	4	2	0	9	3		Shyqyri Rreli & Ramazan Rragami
1986	did not qualify									4	1	0	3	3	7
1988	did not qualify									6	0	2	4	4	10
1990	did not qualify									6	0	1	5	1	8
1992	did not qualify									7	1	2	4	3	13
1994	did not qualify									8	1	2	5	5	18
1996	did not enter									did not enter
1998	did not qualify									8	1	1	6	6	19
2000	did not qualify									10	1	4	5	8	21
2002	did not qualify									8	1	1	6	3	19
2004	did not qualify									8	3	1	4	10	10
2006	did not qualify									12	2	3	7	9	27		Artan Bushati
2007	did not qualify									2	0	1	1	0	3		Bushati
2009	did not qualify									10	3	3	4	10	13		Bushati
2011	did not qualify									8	1	1	6	11	20		Bushati
2013	did not qualify									8	1	2	5	11	18		Skënder Gega
2015	did not qualify									8	2	0	6	7	15		Gega
2017	did not qualify									10	3	3	4	11	20		Redi Jupi
2019	did not qualify									10	1	4	5	9	17		Alban Bushi
2021	did not qualify									10	4	2	4	16	21		Bushi
2023	did not qualify									10	3	1	6	9	17		Bushi
2025	did not qualify									10	5	1	4	12	17		Bushi
2027	Qualified as hosts																Bushi
Total			2	0	0	2	0	2		169	38	37	94	157	316

Note: The year of the tournament represents the year in which it ends.

• The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Moldova on 15 & 18 November 2024.^[8]
• All caps and goals as of 18 November 2024 after match against Moldova .
• Players in bold have been called up or have played at least one full international match with national senior team.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1GK	Anxhelo Sina	(2004-01-07) 7 January 2004 (age 21)	3	0	Rio Ave
	1GK	Endri Dema	(2004-04-17) 17 April 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Erzeni
	1GK	Thomas Brahja	(2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Matera
	2DF	Ermis Selimaj	(2004-05-25) 25 May 2004 (age 20)	8	0	AEK Athens B
	2DF	Elton Fikaj	(2005-10-18) 18 October 2005 (age 19)	4	0	Panathinaikos
	2DF	Erdin Ismaili	(2005-06-10) 10 June 2005 (age 19)	2	1	Basel U21
	2DF	Mateo Çipi	(2004-07-08) 8 July 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Partizani
	2DF	Arlind Kurti	(2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Laçi
	2DF	Erion Aliji	(2005-12-10) 10 December 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Horn
	2DF	Klevis Haxhari	(2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19)	1	0	New York City II
	2DF	Maldini Kacurri	(2005-10-04) 4 October 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Bromley
	3MF	Dion Ajvazi	(2004-02-10) 10 February 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Hertha Berlin II
	3MF	Besar Gugjufi	(2004-05-29) 29 May 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Partizani
	3MF	Gjergji Kote	(2004-08-20) 20 August 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Partizani
	3MF	Gent Elezaj	(2005-04-11) 11 April 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Hammarby TFF
	3MF	Ledjo Tresa	(2005-07-25) 25 July 2005 (age 19)	2	0	Laçi
	3MF	Hajrulla Tola	(2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 20)	1	0	Korabi
	4FW	Ermir Rashica	(2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 20)	9	3	Skënderbeu
	4FW	Kevin Dodaj	(2005-09-03) 3 September 2005 (age 19)	3	0	Vllaznia
	4FW	Erald Maksuti	(2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 (age 20)	2	1	Apolonia
	4FW	Dario Daka	(2004-01-24) 24 January 2004 (age 21)	2	1	Trapani
	4FW	Elmedin Rama	(2005-03-25) 25 March 2005 (age 19)	2	1	Pardubice
	4FW	Amin Tahiri	(2005-01-11) 11 January 2005 (age 20)	2	0	Tirana

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	Simon Simoni	(2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 20)	11	0	Kaiserslautern	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024A
GK	Klidman Lilo	(2003-01-31) 31 January 2003 (age 22)	9	0	Panathinaikos	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
GK	Arbër Jata	(2004-12-03) 3 December 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Vora	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
GK	Giulio Veliaj	(2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Cesena	v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
GK	Renato Beqaj	(2004-06-22) 22 June 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Bylisi	v.  Montenegro, 7 June 2024
DF	Marçelino Preka	(2003-08-02) 2 August 2003 (age 21)	6	0	Partizani	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
DF	Paulo Buxhelaj	(2003-05-01) 1 May 2003 (age 21)	13	0	Partizani	v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
DF	Agan Mjaki	(2003-03-10) 10 March 2003 (age 21)	8	0	Laçi	v.  Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
MF	Ermal Meta	(2005-06-20) 20 June 2005 (age 19)	1	0	Tirana	v.  Moldova, 15 November 2024INJ
MF	Leandro Frroku	(2003-09-03) 3 September 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Asteras AKTOR B	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
MF	Feta Fetai	(2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 19)	4	0	Lokomotiva	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024A
MF	Dejvid Janaqi	(2003-07-21) 21 July 2003 (age 21)	1	0	Skënderbeu	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
MF	Klevis Kasa	(2003-08-08) 8 August 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Elbasani	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
MF	Rejan Alivoda	(2003-06-05) 5 June 2003 (age 21)	5	0	Kalba	v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
MF	Klevi Qefalija	(2003-12-12) 12 December 2003 (age 21)	5	0	Dinamo City	v.  Liechtenstein, 11 June 2024
MF	Behar Ismaili	(2005-04-26) 26 April 2005 (age 19)	9	0	Anderlecht II	v.  Montenegro, 7 June 2024
MF	Medon Berisha	(2003-10-21) 21 October 2003 (age 21)	12	3	Lecce	v.   Switzerland, 26 March 2024INJ
MF	Elion Jashari	(2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Basel U21	v.   Switzerland, 26 March 2024
FW	Arlind Rexhepi	(2003-07-28) 28 July 2003 (age 21)	10	1	Stuttgarter Kickers	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
FW	Cristian Shpendi	(2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 21)	8	1	Cesena	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
FW	Rrok Toma	(2004-02-27) 27 February 2004 (age 20)	1	0	Teuta	v.  Armenia, 15 October 2024
FW	Stiven Shpendi	(2003-05-19) 19 May 2003 (age 21)	14	5	Carrarese	v.   Switzerland, 6 September 2024
Notes A = Was called up from national senior squad. INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.

Current coaching staff:^[9]

Position	Name
Head coach	Alban Bushi
Assistant coach	Endri Zjarri
Goalkeeping coach	Erion Meta
Athletic coach	Mark Dodaj
Team manager	Denis Lilo
Video analyst	Xhoen Tugu
Team doctor	Mehmet Buzmerxhani
Physiotherapist	Gledi Rexha
Physiotherapist	Edison Koçi
Base materials	Lusjos Sina

Balkan Youth Championship record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1976–1978	Champions	1st	6	3	2	1	12	6
1981	Champions	1st	2	2	0	0	6	2
Total	2 Titles	2/2	8	5	2	1	18	8

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty shoot-out.

**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.

Balkan Youth Championship

• Winners (2): 1978, 1981

• Albania national football team
• Albania national under-23 football team
• Albania national under-20 football team
• Albania national under-19 football team
• Albania national under-18 football team
• Albania national under-17 football team
• Albania national under-16 football team
• Albania national under-15 football team
• Albania national football team results
• Albania national youth football team
• Albanian Superliga
• Football in Albania
• List of Albania international footballers

• Team profile at Soccerway
• Team profile at FSHF.org
• Team profile at UEFA.com