# 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.

## History
### Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave the permission to play international friendly games against other member associations. 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. On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress. Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 in favor of Kosovo. Ten days later, Kosovo was accepted in FIFA during their 66th congress in Mexico with 141 votes in favour and 23 against.

### UEFA European Championship qualifications
#### 2019 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. 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. 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. 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.

#### 2021 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. 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, and with Malta which won with a minimum score of 1–0, 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. 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. Success wouldn't follow as Kosovo than lost a string of five matches in the process in which they only scored two goals. Against Albania losing away with 2-1 in Elbasan. 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.

## Team image
### Nicknames

The Kosovo national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Dardanët" ("Dardanians"). In addition to the official nickname, the Kosovo national team has another nickname as:
* "Shqipëria B" ("Albania B") — During the period before 2016, the national teams of Kosovo and Albania have exchanged players with each other, which influenced these two teams to be nicknamed reserve (B) teams of each other, the Kosovo national team was nicknamed Albania B due to many players came to play for Kosovo as they had no space to play for Albania, but the same thing happened with the Albanian national team which was nicknamed Kosovo B due to of the large number of players of Kosovo Albanian descent in its composition.

### Kits and crest

The Kosovo kit has been mostly red and black before declaration of independence with few changes throughout the years and after the independence the kits are mostly blue and yellow. On 5 October 2016, Kosovo signed with Spanish sportswear company Kelme to a four-year contract and was the first official kit suppliers of Kosovo after membership in UEFA and FIFA. On 23 February 2022, Kosovo signed with Italian sportswear company Erreà to a three-year contract for it to the kit suppliers of Kosovo.

#### Kit sponsorship

| Kit supplier | Period | Contract | Contract |
| Kit supplier | Period | Announcement | Duration |
| Kelme | 2016–2018 | 5 October 2016 | 2016–2020 (4 years) |
| Fourteen | 2018–2022 | 16 June 2018 | 2018–2022 (4 years) |
| Erreà | 2023–present | 23 February 2023 | 2023–2026 (3 years) |

## Players
### Current squad

* The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Turkey and Moldova, on 21 and 25 March 2025.
* Caps and goals are correct as of 17 November 2024, after the match against North Macedonia, 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.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Erion Avdija | (2005-03-13) 13 March 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | 1860 Munich |
| 1GK | Laurent Seji | (2004-05-22) 22 May 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Grasshoppers |
| 2DF | Eurolind Avdimetaj | (2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Suhareka |
| 2DF | Ledjan Sahitaj | (2004-01-12) 12 January 2004 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | Winterthur U21 |
| 2DF | Lendrit Shala | (2004-05-04) 4 May 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Lugano II |
| 2DF | Leon Zeqiraj | (2005-07-02) 2 July 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Avellino U19 |
| 2DF | Argjend Miftari | (2004-01-29) 29 January 2004 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Mjällby AIF |
| 2DF | Diar Vokrri | (2004-06-27) 27 June 2004 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Llapi |
| 2DF | Julind Selmonaj | (2004-11-05) 5 November 2004 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Basel U21 |
| 2DF | Drini Miftari | (2004-03-01) 1 March 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | 1. FC Kaiserslautern II |
| 2DF | Sead Ahmeti | (2005-04-25) 25 April 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Grasshoppers U21 |
| 3MF | Laurent Xhylani | (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Malisheva |
| 3MF | Leon Frokaj | (2005-04-23) 23 April 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Basel U21 |
| 3MF | Elvir Gashijan | (2006-08-05) 5 August 2006 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | Llapi |
| 3MF | Arlind Maloku | (2004-06-01) 1 June 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Feronikeli |
| 3MF | Hamza Muqaj | (2005-10-03) 3 October 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Carl Zeiss Jena |
| 3MF | Adem Imeri | (2006-02-13) 13 February 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Greuther Fürth II |
| 3MF | Elvaris Suplja | (2006-02-28) 28 February 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Siena |
| 3MF | Faton Ademi | (2006-05-19) 19 May 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Alemannia Aachen |
| 4FW | Igball Jashari | (2005-07-14) 14 July 2005 (age 19) | 3 | 0 | Drenica |
| 4FW | Aulon Bitiqi | (2004-01-27) 27 January 2004 (age 21) | 2 | 1 | Varbergs BoIS |
| 4FW | Kevin Krasniqi | (2005-07-20) 20 July 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Thun U21 |
| 4FW | Hekuran Berisha | (2005-10-03) 3 October 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Dukagjini |
| 4FW | Medin Gashi | (2006-02-01) 1 February 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Gorica |

### 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 | Art Miftari | (2005-01-10) 10 January 2005 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Ballkani | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| GK | Art Hoti | (2004-06-09) 9 June 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Vëllaznimi | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| GK | Mustafë Abdullahu | (2004-02-27) 27 February 2004 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | Karlsruher SC | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024$^A$ |
| GK | Altin Gjokaj | (2005-11-11) 11 November 2005 (age 19) | 4 | 0 | Prishtina | v. Germany, 22 March 2024$^{INJ}$ |
| DF | Dion Gallapeni | (2004-12-22) 22 December 2004 (age 20) | 3 | 0 | Prishtina | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024$^A$ |
| DF | Aurel Kuqanaj | (2004-10-31) 31 October 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 1 | FC Ingolstadt II | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| DF | Fuad Ajvazi | (2004-08-24) 24 August 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Suhareka | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| DF | Arbnor Gecaj | (2005-02-14) 14 February 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Lugano II | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| DF | Merlind Kodra | (2005-06-06) 6 June 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Ballkani | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| DF | Valton Behrami | (2004-03-16) 16 March 2004 (age 21) | 3 | 0 | Delémont | v. Israel, 10 September 2024 |
| MF | Arjanit Fazlija | (2005-02-05) 5 February 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 1 | Greuther Fürth II | v. Turkey, 21 March 2025$^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Dritan Maqkaj | (2004-01-06) 6 January 2004 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | Eintracht Frankfurt II | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| MF | Diamant Lokaj | (2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | SV Sandhausen | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| MF | Elion Jashari | (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Basel U21 | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| MF | Valentin Hoti | (2004-02-16) 16 February 2004 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | FC Ingolstadt II | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| FW | Ermal Krasniqi | (2005-06-16) 16 June 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 1 | Sturm Graz II | v. North Macedonia, 17 November 2024 |
| Notes $^A$ = Was called up from national senior squad. $^{INJ}$ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury. |||||||

## Competitive record
### UEFA European 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. 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.
| UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification 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 SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia | Part of SFR Yugoslavia |
| 1994 to 1998 | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia | Part of FR Yugoslavia |
| 2000 to 2007 | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 2009 to 2015 | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | Not a UEFA member | | | | | | | | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 2017 | Could not enter | Could not enter | Could not enter | Could not enter | Could not enter | Could not enter | Could not enter | Could not enter | Could not enter | | | | | | | | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member |
| 2019 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 5th | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 12 |
| 2021 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 5th | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 20 |
| 2023 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4th | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 13 |
| 2025 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4th | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 17 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | — | 0/26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 5/18 | 40 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 36 | 62 |

### 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 |
| 2013 | Fourth place | 4th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | Squad |
| Total | — | 1/1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | — |