Kosovo national under-21 football team

Kosovo Under-21
Nickname(s)	Dardanët (Dardanians)
Association	Federata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Michael Nees
Captain	Rotation
Most caps	Besfort Kolgeci (11)
Top scorer	Florent Hasani (3)
Home stadium	Fadil Vokrri Stadium
FIFA code	KVX
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)

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.

History

Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave the permission to play international friendly games against other member associations.[1] 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

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.[2] On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress. Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 in favor of Kosovo.[3][4] Ten days later, Kosovo was accepted in FIFA during their 66th congress in Mexico with 141 votes in favour and 23 against.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

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
1994 to 2006	Part of Serbia and Montenegro
2007	Part of Serbia
2009 to 2015	Not a UEFA member
2017	Could not enter
2019	Did not qualify									5th	10	3	3	4	9	12
2021	Did not qualify									5th	10	3	0	7	9	20
2023	To be determined									0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	—	0/23	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	2/15	20	6	3	11	18	32

Non-FIFA Tournament

Kosovo U21 has so far only participated in one international tournament in Valais Youth Cup, a two-day international football tournament.

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

Fixtures and results

2021

26 March Friendly	Qatar	2–0	Kosovo	Doha, Qatar
11:15 (EST)	Ali 26', 52'	Report		Stadium: Aspire Academy

29 March Friendly	Qatar	2–2	Kosovo	Doha, Qatar
11:15 (EST)	Meshaal 76' Ali 86'		Tusha 5' Veliu 48'	Stadium: Aspire Academy

8 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Kosovo	2–0	Andorra	Pristina, Kosovo
20:00	Dion Berisha 82' Marleku 85'	Report		Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Referee: Nikolas Neokleous (Cyprus)

7 September 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	England	2–0	Kosovo	Milton Keynes, England
20:00	Brewster 10' (pen.) Palmer 26'	Report		Stadium: Stadium MK Referee: Kaarlo Oskari Hämäläinen (Finland)

7 October 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Kosovo	0–1	Czech Republic	Pristina, Kosovo
19:00		Report	Gabriel 38'	Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Referee: Rauf Jabarov (Azerbaijan)

12 October 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Czech Republic	3–0	Kosovo	České Budějovice, Czech Republic
18:00	Sejk 10' Gabriel 38' Šulc 57'	Report		Stadium: Stadion Střelecký ostrov Referee: Gal Leibovitz (Israel)

16 November 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Kosovo	2–1	Albania	Pristina, Kosovo
19:00	E. Krasniqi 66' Sejdiu 90+2'	Report	Karrica 58'	Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)

16 December Friendly	North Macedonia	1–0	Kosovo	Skopje, North Macedonia
	Abazi 63'	Report		Stadium: Petar Miloševski Training Centre

18 December Friendly	North Macedonia	v	Kosovo	Skopje, North Macedonia
				Stadium: Petar Miloševski Training Centre

2022

25 March 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Kosovo	v	Slovenia	Pristina, Kosovo
		Report		Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium

29 March 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Slovenia	v	Kosovo	Slovenia
		Report

4 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Andorra	v	Kosovo	Andorra la Vella, Andorra
		Report		Stadium: Estadi Comunal

10 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Kosovo	v	England	Pristina, Kosovo
		Report		Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium

14 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q	Albania	v	Kosovo	Albania
		Report

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Albania, on 16 November 2021.[8]
All caps and goals as of 16 November 2021 after match against Albania, only matches as FIFA member are included.^[a]
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
1	1GK	David Nreca-Bisinger	(2002-01-18) 18 January 2002	8	0	Sonnenhof Großaspach
12	1GK	Drilon Ajeti	(2000-06-26) 26 June 2000	0	0	Ulpiana

4	2DF	Edvin Kurtulus (Captain)	(2000-03-05) 5 March 2000	10	0	Halmstad
5	2DF	Leard Sadriu (Vice-captain)	(2001-04-22) 22 April 2001	10	0	Skënderbeu Korçë
3	2DF	Florian Hoxha	(2001-02-22) 22 February 2001	5	0	Grasshoppers
2	2DF	Andi Hoti	(2003-03-02) 2 March 2003	4	0	Inter Milan
19	2DF	Bujar Pllana	(2001-10-29) 29 October 2001	3	0	Feronikeli
13	2DF	Donart Vitija	(2000-04-25) 25 April 2000	0	0	Malisheva
15	2DF	Melos Bajrami	(2001-09-29) 29 September 2001	0	0	Skënderbeu Korçë

8	3MF	Ismet Lushaku	(2000-09-22) 22 September 2000	10	0	AFC Eskilstuna
10	3MF	Valmir Veliu	(2000-06-04) 4 June 2000	8	1	Llapi
21	3MF	Kreshnik Krasniqi	(2000-12-22) 22 December 2000	8	0	Strømsgodset
23	3MF	Altin Zeqiri	(2000-07-18) 18 July 2000	6	0	Lahti
6	3MF	Florent Hoti	(2000-12-11) 11 December 2000	5	0	Dundee United
7	3MF	Gentrit Limani	(2000-04-01) 1 April 2000	3	0	Hamburger SV II
14	3MF	Behadil Sabani	(2000-01-26) 26 January 2000	2	0	Mainz 05 II
17	3MF	Erolind Krasniqi	(2000-03-15) 15 March 2000	1	1	Rot-Weiss Essen
22	3MF	Arlind Sejdiu	(2001-08-11) 11 August 2001	1	1	Lahti

9	4FW	Mark Marleku	(2000-04-27) 27 April 2000	5	1	Kriens
18	4FW	Ardit Tahiri	(2002-10-06) 6 October 2002	3	0	Drita

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	Léo Besson	(2002-10-27) 27 October 2002	2	0	Servette U21	v. Albania, 16 November 2021^PRE
GK	Flamur Gashi	(2000-06-06) 6 June 2000	0	0	Malisheva	v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2021
GK	Petrit Terziu	(2001-12-03) 3 December 2001	0	0	Vëllaznimi	v. Czech Republic, 7 October 2021^PRE
GK	Egzon Bislimi	(2000-01-15) 15 January 2000	0	0	Ramiz Sadiku	v. England, 7 September 2021^PRE
GK	Laurit Behluli	(2000-05-17) 17 May 2000	0	0	Kika	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^PRE
GK	Agron Kolaj	(2001-03-19) 19 March 2001	0	0	Besa Pejë	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^PRE

DF	Valon Zumberi	(2002-11-24) 24 November 2002	5	0	Hamburger SV II	v. Albania, 16 November 2021^PRE
DF	Altin Bytyçi	(2001-01-14) 14 January 2001	0	0	Kukësi	v. Albania, 16 November 2021^PRE
DF	Leonat Vitija	(2000-08-22) 22 August 2000	5	0	Skënderbeu Korçë	v. Czech Republic, 7 October 2021^WD
DF	Albion Pllana	(2000-08-20) 20 August 2000	3	0	Trepça '89	v. England, 7 September 2021
DF	Loti Celina	(2000-06-05) 5 June 2000	0	0	Partizani Tirana	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^PRE
DF	Ardi Ajdini	(2002-11-04) 4 November 2002	0	0	Besa Pejë	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^PRE
DF	Simon Loshi	(2000-02-16) 16 February 2000	0	0	Feronikeli	v. Qatar, 29 March 2021

MF	Altin Kryeziu	(2002-01-03) 3 January 2002	6	0	Virton	v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2021
MF	Diamant Berisha	(2000-07-22) 22 July 2000	5	0	Schalke 04 II	v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2021
MF	Dion Berisha	(2003-05-09) 9 May 2003	3	1	FC Augsburg II	v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2021
MF	Adrion Pajaziti	(2002-11-16) 16 November 2002	2	0	Fulham	v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2021
MF	Erion Sadiku	(2002-01-23) 23 January 2002	1	0	Genoa	v. Czech Republic, 12 October 2021
MF	Qëndrim Zyba	(2001-01-03) 3 January 2001	3	0	Prishtina	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^INJ
MF	Rilind Hetemi	(2002-02-11) 11 February 2002	3	0	Unattached	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021
MF	Drilon Islami	(2000-07-18) 18 July 2000	0	0	Drita	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^PRE
MF	Blerind Morina	(2001-01-01) 1 January 2001	0	0	Reggiana	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^PRE
MF	Endrit Morina	(2001-08-24) 24 August 2001	1	0	Neuchâtel Xamax	v. Qatar, 29 March 2021
MF	Arlind Shabani	(2001-10-16) 16 October 2001	0	0	Prishtina	v. Qatar, 29 March 2021

FW	Baton Zabërgja	(2001-04-18) 18 April 2001	2	0	Drenica	v. Albania, 16 November 2021^PRE
FW	Veton Tusha	(2002-12-29) 29 December 2002	4	1	Denizlispor	v. England, 7 September 2021
FW	Edi Sylisufaj	(2000-03-08) 8 March 2000	2	0	Sirius	v. England, 7 September 2021^PRE
FW	Rilind Nivokazi	(2000-01-26) 26 January 2000	3	0	Chiasso	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021
FW	Arian Kastrati	(2001-07-15) 15 July 2001	2	0	Dekani	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021^PRE
FW	Albion Rrahmani	(2000-08-31) 31 August 2000	0	0	Ballkani	v. Andorra, 8 June 2021
Notes ^PRE = Preliminary squad/standby. ^WD = Player withdrew from the current squad due to non-injury issue. ^INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Michael Nees
Assistant coach(es)	Bekim Isufi
Assistant coach(es)	Alan Clark
Goalkeeping coach	Naser Prapashtica
Physiotherapist(s)
	Eqrem Gara
	Feim Gashi
Doctor	Dr. Norik Hoxha
Device manager	Taulant Ahmetaj
Team manager	Zgjim Sojeva
Technical director	Primož Gliha

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

Notes and references

Notes

^
Caps of the friendly matches against Turkmenistan (24 March 2019), Malta (26 March 2019) and North Macedonia (16 December 2021) are missing.

References

"FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
"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.
"Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.
"Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.
"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.
"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
"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.
"Përzgjedhësi Nees publikon listën e futbollistëve për ndeshjen me Shqipërinë" [Selector Nees publishes the list of footballers for the match with Albania] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 3 November 2021.

External links

Official website (in Albanian and English)
Kosovo U21 News about the team

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[cnote_a] 
Caps of the friendly matches against Turkmenistan (24 March 2019), Malta (26 March 2019) and North Macedonia (16 December 2021) are missing.

[1] "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.

[2] "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.

[3] "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016.

[4] "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.

[5] "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.

[6] "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

[7] "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.

[8] "Përzgjedhësi Nees publikon listën e futbollistëve për ndeshjen me Shqipërinë" [Selector Nees publishes the list of footballers for the match with Albania] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 3 November 2021.

[a]