Kosovo national under-21 football team

The Kosovo national under-21 football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Kosovës nën 21 vjeç; Serbian: Фудбалска репрезентација Косова до 21. године, romanized: Fudbalska reprezentacija Kosova do 21. godine) is the national under-21 football team of Kosovo and is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Kosovo national team.

Kosovo Under-21
Nickname(s)Dardanët (Dardanians)
AssociationFederata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachAfrim Tovërlani
CaptainRotation
Most capsValon Zumberi (16)
Top scorerFlorent Hasani (3)
Home stadiumFadil Vokrri Stadium
FIFA codeKOS[1]
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
 Ghana 2–2 Kosovo 
(Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 12 June 2013)
Biggest win
 Andorra 0–4 Kosovo 
(Andorra la Vella, Andorra; 6 June 2019)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 8–0 Kosovo 
(Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 15 June 2013)

History

Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave the permission to play international friendly games against other member associations.[2] Whereas, on 13 January 2014, there was a change of this permit that forbade Kosovo to play against the national teams of the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Club teams were also allowed to play friendlies and this happened after a FIFA Emergency Committee meeting. However, it was stipulated that clubs and representative teams of the Football Federation of Kosovo may not display national symbols as flags, emblems, etc. or play national anthems. The go-ahead was given after meetings between the Football Association of Serbia and Sepp Blatter.

Membership in UEFA and FIFA
See also: Membership of Kosovo in international sports federations

In September 2015 at an UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Malta was approved the request from the federation to the admission in UEFA to the next Ordinary Congress to be held in Budapest.[3] On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress. Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 in favor of Kosovo.[4][5] Ten days later, Kosovo was accepted in FIFA during their 66th congress in Mexico with 141 votes in favour and 23 against.[6]

2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications

On 26 January 2017, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 5 of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Norway and Republic of Ireland.[7] On 25 March 2017, Kosovo made his debut on UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications with a 1–0 away defeat in against Republic of Ireland.[8] On 29 July 2017, UEFA confirmed that the match in which Kosovo had lost with a deep score 0–5 against Norway was given as a 3–0 victory for Kosovo, this happened after in that match for Norway had played Kristoffer Ajer who was suspended.[9] This match for Kosovo was the first victory in a qualifying match for a major tournament. Kosovo would secure another dramatic win against Norway at home with 3–2 by two goals from Enis Bytyqi and one from Florent Hasani, that was Kosovo's first home win in their history at this competition.[10]

2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications

On 11 December 2018, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 3 of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Albania, Andorra, Austria, England and Turkey.[11] Before the start of this qualifying cycle, Kosovo in March 2019 played two friendly matches in Antalya with Turkmenistan which won with a narrow score of 3–2,[12] and with Malta which won with a minimum score of 1–0,[13] in the composition of Kosovo was the players who would potentially be part of the national team during the qualifying cycle. On 6 June 2019, Kosovo started the qualifying cycle against Andorra which they defeated with a deep score 4–0 and this match is their best result yet.[14] Kosovo would follow this great result after beating Turkey at home with 3-1 showing a great display. Also leading the qualifying table, for the first time in their history.[15] Success wouldn't follow as Kosovo than lost a string of five matches in the process in which they only scored two goals.[16] Against Albania losing away with 2-1 in Elbasan.[17] Kosovo would secure their third win against Andorra at home with a close 1-0 win. Their last match ended in a devastating loss against Turkey in Istanbul with 3-0 their seventh loss in total. Kosovo finished their Qualifying in 5th place with nine points, only above Andorra, but trailing behind Turkey, Albania, Austria and Group winners England.[18]

Competitive record

UEFA European Under-21 Championship

On 26 January 2017, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 5 of the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Azerbaijan, Germany, Israel, Norway and Republic of Ireland.[19] On 25 March 2017, Kosovo made his debut on UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifications with a 1–0 away defeat in against Republic of Ireland.[20]

UEFA European Under-21 Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1978 to 1992 Part of  Yugoslavia
France 1994 to Portugal 2006 Part of  Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands 2007 Part of  Serbia
Sweden 2009 to Czech Republic 2015 Not a UEFA member
Poland 2017 Could not enter
ItalySan Marino 2019 did not qualify 5th10334912
HungarySlovenia 2021 5th10307920
RomaniaGeorgia (country) 2023 4th9334813
Total — 0/23 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 2/15 29 9 6 15 33 57

Non-FIFA Tournament

Kosovo U21 has so far only participated in one international tournament in Valais Youth Cup, a two-day international football tournament. In which they finished in fourth place. Their first match was against Ghana in which they lost.

Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Switzerland 2013 Fourth place 4th 2011210Squad
Total — 1/1 2 0 1 1 2 10 —

Fixtures and results
For all past match results of the national team, see Kosovo national under-21 football team results.

2023
24 March Friendly Moldova  0–0  Kosovo Belek, Turkey
14:00 Report Stadium: Cornelia Deluxe Resort Training Camp
Referee: Mazlum Doğan (Turkey)
27 March Friendly Turkey  4–2  Kosovo Alanya, Turkey
19:00 Yıldırım 3', 8'
Yıldız 42'
Tagir 69'		 Report Emërllahu 35', 54' (pen.) Stadium: Kırbıyık Holding Stadium
Referee: Ömer Faruk Turtay (Turkey)
20 June UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Kosovo  2–0  Estonia Pristina, Kosovo
20:00 Llugiqi 40'
Hoti 70'		 Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Joey Kooij (Netherlands)
8 September UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Poland  3–0  Kosovo Płock, Poland
20:00 Mosór 25'
Rakoczy 30', 44'		 Report Stadium: Stadion im. Kazimierza Górskiego
Attendance: 6,265
Referee: Lothar D'hondt (Belgium)
12 September UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Kosovo  0–3  Germany Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 Report Moukoko 74', 78'
Kleine-Bekel 89'		 Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 1,950
Referee: Mikkel Redder (Denmark)
17 October UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Bulgaria  1–1  Kosovo Sofia, Bulgaria
17:30 Sorakov 90+1' Report Tahiri 8' (pen.) Stadium: Stadion Aleksandar Shalamanov
Attendance: 358
Referee: Jan Petrik (Czech Republic)
17 November UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Kosovo  v  Bulgaria Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
21 November UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Israel  v  Kosovo Jerusalem, Israel
Report Stadium: Teddy Stadium

2024
22 March UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Germany  v  Kosovo Germany
Report
10 September UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Kosovo  v  Israel Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
11 October UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Kosovo  v  Poland Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
15 October UEFA Euro 2025 qualification Estonia  v  Kosovo Estonia
Report

Players

Current squad
  • The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2025 qualification match against Bulgaria, on 17 October 2023.
  • All caps and goals as of 17 October 2023 after match against Bulgaria, only matches as FIFA member are included.
  • 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
12 1GK Léo Besson (2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 6 0 Switzerland Servette
1 1GK Altin Gjokaj (2005-11-11) 11 November 2005 2 0 Kosovo Drenica
16 1GK Eron Isufi (2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 0 0 Kosovo Drita
4 2DF Valon Zumberi (captain) (2002-11-24) 24 November 2002 16 0 Germany Hamburger SV
5 2DF Andi Hoti (2003-03-02) 2 March 2003 12 1 Germany 1. FC Magdeburg
2 2DF Egzon Rexhaj (2002-11-15) 15 November 2002 8 0 Switzerland Neuchâtel Xamax
15 2DF Arbnor Hasani (2002-01-16) 16 January 2002 3 0 Switzerland Schaffhausen
3 2DF Amar Gërxhaliu (2002-04-26) 26 April 2002 1 0 Turkey Antalyaspor
13 2DF Rejan Thaçi (2003-11-07) 7 November 2003 1 0 Switzerland Yverdon U21
14 2DF Rion Zejnullahu (2003-08-17) 17 August 2003 0 0 Romania CFR Cluj
6 3MF Art Smakaj (2003-02-04) 4 February 2003 9 0 Croatia Lokomotiva
8 3MF Altin Kryeziu (2002-01-03) 3 January 2002 7 0 Albania Laçi
10 3MF Milot Avdyli (2002-07-28) 28 July 2002 6 0 Switzerland Aarau
7 3MF Besfort Zeneli (2002-11-21) 21 November 2002 6 0 Sweden Elfsborg
20 3MF Behar Neziri (2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 6 0 Switzerland St. Gallen U21
21 3MF Adem Podrimaj (2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 3 0 Germany Hannover 96 II
23 3MF Oltion Bilalli (2002-01-03) 3 January 2002 2 0 Kosovo Gjilani
17 3MF Redon Ismaili (2002-10-23) 23 October 2002 0 0 Kosovo Gjilani
18 3MF Etnik Brruti (2004-03-04) 4 March 2004 0 0 Kosovo Malisheva
9 4FW Ardit Tahiri (2002-10-06) 6 October 2002 14 1 Kosovo Drita
11 4FW Veton Tusha (2002-12-29) 29 December 2002 8 1 Albania Dinamo City
19 4FW Dion Krasniqi (2003-08-24) 24 August 2003 5 0 Sweden Varbergs BoIS
22 4FW Arian Llugiqi (2002-10-24) 24 October 2002 4 1 Germany FC Ingolstadt 04

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 David Nreca-Bisinger (2002-01-18) 18 January 2002 15 0 Germany TSV Steinbach Haiger v.  Turkey, 27 March 2023
GK Rijad Bytyqi (2003-01-28) 28 January 2003 0 0 Unattached Training camp, 14–22 November 2022
DF Arbnor Aliu (2003-02-17) 17 February 2003 2 0 Germany Hansa Rostock II v.  Germany, 12 September 2023
DF Ardi Morina (2003-03-03) 3 March 2003 0 0 Switzerland Schaffhausen v.  Germany, 12 September 2023
DF Argjend Pacolli (2002-01-25) 25 January 2002 3 0 Germany Germania Teveren v.  Estonia, 20 June 2023
DF Elvis Letaj (2003-09-26) 26 September 2003 3 0 Croatia Hajduk Split v.  Estonia, 20 June 2023
DF Ledjan Sahitaj (2004-01-12) 12 January 2004 0 0 Italy Parma U19 v.  Estonia, 20 June 2023
DF Erdin Dushi (2002-10-07) 7 October 2002 2 0 Kosovo Trepça '89 v.  Turkey, 27 March 2023
MF Benjamin Dibrani (2004-02-09) 9 February 2004 0 0 Austria SW Bregenz v.  Bulgaria, 17 October 2023PRE
MF Ermir Rashica (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 0 0 Albania Skënderbeu Korçë v.  Bulgaria, 17 October 2023PRE
MF Florian Haxha (2002-04-06) 6 April 2002 6 0 Austria Kapfenberger SV v.  Germany, 12 September 2023
MF Luan Simnica (2004-01-22) 22 January 2004 1 0 Germany VfB Stuttgart II v.  Germany, 12 September 2023
MF Drilon Hazrollaj (2004-02-19) 19 February 2004 1 0 Kosovo Malisheva v.  Germany, 12 September 2023
MF Lindon Emërllahu (2002-12-07) 7 December 2002 3 2 Kosovo Ballkani v.  Estonia, 20 June 2023INJ
MF Lulzim Peci (2002-02-27) 27 February 2002 2 0 Kosovo Trepça '89 v.  Estonia, 20 June 2023
MF Vleron Statovci (2003-07-13) 13 July 2003 2 0 Germany Alemannia Aachen v.  Estonia, 20 June 2023
MF Rilind Hetemi (2002-02-11) 11 February 2002 4 0 Unattached v.  Turkey, 27 March 2023
MF Doni Arifi (2002-04-11) 11 April 2002 2 0 Finland Ilves v.  Turkey, 27 March 2023
FW Bleron Krasniqi (2002-05-18) 18 May 2002 0 0 Germany Schalke 04 II Training camp, 14–22 November 2022
Notes
  • INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Coaching staff
Position Name
Head coach Kosovo Afrim Tovërlani
Assistant coach Kosovo Bekim Isufi
South Africa Alan Clark
Goalkeeping coach Kosovo Naser Prapashtica
Team manager Kosovo Zgjim Sojeva

Head-to-head records against other countries
As of 11 June 2019
Head-to-head records are included only matches as FIFA member.
Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
 Andorra 1 1 0 0 4 0 +4 100.00
 Azerbaijan 2 1 1 0 2 0 +2 050.00
 Germany 2 0 1 1 0 1 −1 000.00
 England 2 0 0 2 0 8 −8 000.00
 Israel 2 0 0 2 0 7 −7 000.00
 Malta 1 1 0 0 1 0 +1 100.00
 Norway 2 2 0 0 6 2 +4 100.00
 Republic of Ireland 2 0 1 1 1 2 −1 000.00
 Turkey 1 1 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00
 Turkmenistan 1 1 0 0 3 2 +1 100.00
10 Countries 15 7 3 5 20 23 −3 046.67

See also
Men's
Women's

Notes and references

Notes

    References
    1. "Football Federation of Kosovo". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
    2. "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
    3. "UEFA shqyrton në mars të vitit të ardhshëm anëtarësimin e Kosovës" [UEFA reviews in March next year Kosovo's membership] (in Albanian). Voice of America. 19 September 2015.
    4. "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.
    5. "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.
    6. "Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës" [Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 May 2016.
    7. "Kosova U21 në grup me Gjermaninë, ja orari i ndeshjeve" [Kosovo U21 in group with Germany and the match schedules] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018. Kosova u përfshi në Grupin 5, me kundërshtarë shumë të fortë si Gjermania, Izraeli, Norvegjia, Irlanda dhe Azerbajxhani
    8. "Kosova U21 e pafat kundër Irlandës, humb me rezultat të ngushtë" [Kosovo U21 unlucky against Ireland, loses with a close result] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
    9. "UEFA e konfirmon: Kosova fiton tri pikë në tavolinë kundër Norvegjisë" [UEFA confirms: Kosovo wins three points on table against Norway] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 29 July 2017.
    10. "Fitore historike e Kosovës U21, e përmbys Norvegjinë në "Adem Jashari"" [Historic victory of Kosovo U21, overthrowing Norway in "Adem Jashari"] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 1 September 2017.
    11. "Kosova U21 në grup me Shqipërinë dhe Anglinë" [Kosovo U21 in a group with Albania and England] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 11 December 2018.
    12. "Kombëtarja U21 shënoi fitore në miqësoren kundër Turkmenistanit" [The national U21 team scored a victory in the friendly against Turkmenistan] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 24 March 2019.
    13. "Kombëtarja U21 fiton edhe në miqësoren kundër Maltës" [The national U21 team also wins in the friendly against Malta] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 March 2019.
    14. "Kosova U21 shkëlqen kundër Andorrës, fiton 4:0" [Kosovo U21 shines against Andorra, wins 4:0] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 6 June 2019.
    15. "Kosova U21 fiton dhe merr kreun, në 'Fadil Vokrri' dorëzohet edhe Turqia". 11 June 2019.
    16. "Me në fund, Kosova U21 fiton pas disa humbjeve radhazi".
    17. "Albania-Kosovo | Under-21 2021".
    18. "Kosova U21 i përfundon me humbje kualifikimet për Euro 2021 - Gazeta Express". 17 November 2020.
    19. "Kosova U21 në grup me Gjermaninë, ja orari i ndeshjeve" [Kosovo U21 in group with Germany and the match schedules] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018. Kosova u përfshi në Grupin 5, me kundërshtarë shumë të fortë si Gjermania, Izraeli, Norvegjia, Irlanda dhe Azerbajxhani
    20. "Kosova U21 e pafat kundër Irlandës, humb me rezultat të ngushtë" [Kosovo U21 unlucky against Ireland, loses with a close result] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 25 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
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