# Albania national under-20 football team

The Albania national under-20 football team, also known as Albania U20(s), is the national under-20 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania.
The under-20 squad is often cited as a feeder squad to the under-21 squad. Most of the player picked for this team are U-21 internationals already.
Because there is no under-20 competition at UEFA level, Albania's under-20 side has generally only competed when it has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every 2 years. Qualification for this competition is achieved in view of performance at the preceding summer's UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship.
Albania have never played a game with the U-20 squad and the team was only formed after an invitation to play in 2009 Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Then Albania under-20 participated in the next tournament 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin, Turkey.
In 2017 the Albanian Football Association decided to "reborn" the under-20 side by assigning a Friendly match against Georgia under-20 side on 14 November 2017 at David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.

## History
### 2009 Mediterranean Games
#### Group D

| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Spain | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4 |
| Tunisia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| Albania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |

#### Squad

The following players were called up and participated in the 2009 Mediterranean Games football tournament, which began on 25 June in Pescara, Italy.
COACH: Artan Bushati
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1 | 1GK | Shpëtim Moçka | (1989-10-20)20 October 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Flamurtari Vlorë |
| 12 | 1GK | Ibrahim Bejte | (1989-09-15)15 September 1989 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Lushnja |
| 4 | 2DF | Klodian Samina | (1989-01-19)19 January 1989 (aged 20) | 2 | 0 | Belasitsa Petrich |
| 2 | 2DF | Indrit Hithi | (1990-02-05)5 February 1990 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |
| 3 | 2DF | Ditmar Bicaj | (1989-02-26)26 February 1989 (aged 20) | 1 | 0 | Belasitsa Petrich |
| 13 | 2DF | Renato Malota (Captain) | (1989-06-24)24 June 1989 (aged 20) | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |
| 11 | 2DF | Arsen Sykaj | (1990-04-11)11 April 1990 (aged 19) | 1 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 7 | 3MF | Sokol Cikalleshi | (1990-07-27)27 July 1990 (aged 18) | 2 | 0 | Besa Kavajë |
| 5 | 3MF | Ganiol Kaçuli | (1989-09-22)22 September 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Elbasani |
| 18 | 3MF | Orgest Gava | (1990-03-29)29 March 1990 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Elbasani |
| 14 | 3MF | Erjon Vuçaj | (1990-12-25)25 December 1990 (aged 18) | 2 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 8 | 3MF | Sabien Lilaj | (1989-02-10)10 February 1989 (aged 20) | 2 | 0 | Skënderbeu Korçë |
| 6 | 3MF | Elham Galica | (1989-01-30)30 January 1989 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Flamurtari Vlorë |
| 16 | 3MF | Orjan Xhemalaj | (1989-06-07)7 June 1989 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Teuta Durrës |
| 17 | 4FW | Bekim Balaj | (1991-01-11)11 January 1991 (aged 18) | 0 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 10 | 4FW | Vilfor Hysa | (1989-09-09)9 September 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Teuta Durrës |
| 9 | 4FW | Ardit Shehaj | (1990-09-23)23 September 1990 (aged 18) | 2 | 1 | Flamurtari Vlorë |
| 15 | 4FW | Alban Dashi | (1989-09-25)25 September 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |

### 2013 Mediterranean Games
#### Preliminary round - Group A

| Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Morocco | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 |
| Turkey | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 6 |
| Albania | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 1 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 1 |

#### Classification stage - 7th place match
## Players
### Current squad

* The following players were called up for the friendly match.
* Match date: 12 June 2021
* Opposition: Montenegro
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1 | 1GK | Leonard Kacaj | (2003-03-19) 19 March 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Vllaznia Pozheran |
| 12 | 1GK | Simon Simoni | (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Shënkolli |
| 23 | 1GK | Mario Mara | (2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Erzeni |
| 2 | 2DF | Usni Ismaili | (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 2DF | Omar Musaj | (2002-04-15) 15 April 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Tirana |
| 4 | 2DF | Kesli Shani | (2002-12-16) 16 December 2002 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Lokomotiva Zagreb |
| 5 | 2DF | Mikel Nuhaj | (2002-04-01) 1 April 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Roda JC |
| 6 | 2DF | Petro Memushi | (2002-01-15) 15 January 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Arezzo |
| 11 | 2DF | Geralb Smajli | (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Vllaznia Pozheran |
| 13 | 2DF | Reild Kurti | (2002-10-17) 17 October 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Korabi Debar |
| 14 | 2DF | Ergi Goga | (2002-10-25) 25 October 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Akademia e Futbollit |
| 21 | 2DF | Klaudio Bardhi | (2002-04-08) 8 April 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Akademia e Futbollit |
| 22 | 2DF | Arsen Elbasani | (2002-02-28) 28 February 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Vllaznia Pozheran |
| 7 | 3MF | Flamur Ruçi | (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Bylis |
| 9 | 3MF | Rubin Zijaj | (2002-03-11) 11 March 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Apolonia Fier |
| 10 | 3MF | Xheron Osma | (2003-08-20) 20 August 2003 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Kukësi |
| 15 | 3MF | Albnor Kaba | (2002-11-24) 24 November 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Shkëndija |
| 8 | 4FW | Aldi Gjumsi | (2002-03-15) 15 March 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Tirana |

### Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Albania U20 squad within the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Mario Dajsinani | (1998-12-23) 23 December 1998 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Erzeni Shijak | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| GK | Angelo Tafa | (2000-07-05) 5 July 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | AEK Athens | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| GK | Gentian Selmani | (1998-03-09) 9 March 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 $^{PRE}$ |
| DF | Irlian Ceka | (1998-03-03) 3 March 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Sambenedettese | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| DF | Amer Duka | (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| DF | Ded Bushi | (1998-10-02) 2 October 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Agim Zeka | (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Varzim | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Emir Sahiti | (1998-11-29) 29 November 1998 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Unattached | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Agon Mucolli | (1998-09-26) 26 September 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Vejle Boldklub | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Marco Hoxha | (1998-09-22) 22 September 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | ArzignanoChiampo | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Sherif Kallaku | (1998-03-01) 1 March 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 $^{PRE}$ |
| MF | Aleksandro Zaimaj | (1998-01-19) 19 January 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | PAE Kerkyra | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 $^{PRE}$ |
| FW | Valdrin Mustafa | (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | FC Kaiserslautern | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| FW | Rubin Hebaj | (1998-07-30) 30 July 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Domžale | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| FW | Armend Aslani | (1998-06-23) 23 June 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Akademisk Boldklub | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |

#### Notes

* $^{INJ}$ Withdrew due to injury
* $^{PRE}$ Preliminary squad / standby
* $^{RET}$ Retired from international football
* $^{SUS}$ Suspended from national team

### Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:
| Position | Name |
| Head coach | Ilir Biturku |
| Assistant coach | Arjan Bellaj |
| Goalkeeping coach | Alfred Osmani |
| Athletic coach | Iris Selimi |
| Team doctor | Erald Derveni |
| Physiotherapists | Gledi Rexha |
| Physiotherapists | Edison Koçi |
| Base materials | Roland Rarani |

## Tournament history
### FIFA U-20 World Cup

| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
| 1977 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1979 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1981 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1983 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1985 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1987 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1989 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1991 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1993 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1995 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1997 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 1999 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2001 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2003 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2005 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2007 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2009 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2011 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2013 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2015 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2017 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2019 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2021 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| 2023 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| Total | 0/23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Mediterranean Games - Football

Football at the Mediterranean Games record :
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
| 2009 | Group stage | 10th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2013 | Group stage | 8th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 11 |
| Total | 0/2 | Best: 8th | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 16 |