# Albania national under-21 football 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.

## History
### Balkan Youth Championship

Albania Under-21 participated in the Balkan Youth Championship as a succeder 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.

### 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship

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.

### 1986–1994

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.

### 1996–2002

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.

### 2004–2007

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.

### 2009–2013

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.

### 2015–2019

In the qualification in Group 4 Albania would finish in last place. They were able to beat Hungary with 0–2 away from home. Albania would also beat notable Austria with 1–3 away from home in the Liebenauer Stadium in Graz. 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. 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.

## Competitive record
### UEFA European Under-23 Championship

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 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 qualification record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification record | UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification 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 | Manager(s) |
| 1978 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | |
| 1980 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | |
| 1982 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | 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 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | |
| 1988 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 10 | |
| 1990 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 8 | |
| 1992 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 13 | |
| 1994 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 18 | |
| 1996 | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | did not enter | |
| 1998 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 19 | |
| 2000 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 21 | |
| 2002 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 19 | |
| 2004 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 10 | |
| 2006 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 27 | Artan Bushati |
| 2007 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Bushati |
| 2009 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 13 | Bushati |
| 2011 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 20 | Bushati |
| 2013 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 18 | Skënder Gega |
| 2015 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 15 | Gega |
| 2017 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 20 | Redi Jupi |
| 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 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 17 | Alban Bushi |
| 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 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 21 | Bushi |
| 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 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 17 | Bushi |
| 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 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 17 | Bushi |
| 2027 | Qualified as hosts | Qualified as hosts | Qualified as hosts | Qualified as hosts | Qualified as hosts | Qualified as hosts | Qualified as hosts | 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.

## Players
### Current squad

* The following players were called up for the friendly matches against Greece and Luxembourg on 21 & 25 March 2025.
* 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.
| 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 | Aron Jukaj | (2005-06-19) 19 June 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Vllaznia |
| 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 | Arlind Kurti | (2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Laçi |
| 2DF | Aurel Marku | (2005-01-13) 13 January 2005 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Bylisi |
| 2DF | Zylyf Muça | (2005-03-07) 7 March 2005 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Brescia |
| 2DF | Ervin Bashi | (2005-07-24) 24 July 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Pro Patria |
| 2DF | Leart Zuka | (2005-08-27) 27 August 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Servette U21 |
| 2DF | Gabriel Ramaj | (2006-02-09) 9 February 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Atalanta U20 |
| 3MF | Feta Fetai | (2005-05-11) 11 May 2005 (age 19) | 4 | 0 | Lokomotiva |
| 3MF | Dion Ajvazi | (2004-02-10) 10 February 2004 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | Hertha BSC II |
| 3MF | Renaldo Torraj | (2004-07-15) 15 July 2004 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | Teuta |
| 3MF | Luan Simnica | (2004-01-22) 22 January 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Sandhausen |
| 3MF | Burak Alili | (2004-02-11) 11 February 2004 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Lafnitz |
| 3MF | Jordi Jaku | (2006-03-27) 27 March 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Bologna U20 |
| 4FW | Ermir Rashica | (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 20) | 9 | 3 | Metalist 1925 |
| 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 | Rrok Toma | (2004-02-27) 27 February 2004 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Teuta |

### 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 | Thomas Brahja | (2005-03-26) 26 March 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Matera | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| GK | Simon Simoni | (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 20) | 11 | 0 | Kaiserslautern | v. Armenia, 15 October 2024$^A$ |
| 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 | Mateo Çipi | (2004-07-08) 8 July 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Partizani | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| DF | Erion Aliji | (2005-12-10) 10 December 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Horn | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| DF | Klevis Haxhari | (2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | New York City II | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| DF | Maldini Kacurri | (2005-10-04) 4 October 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Bromley | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024$^{INJ}$ |
| 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 |
| MF | Gjergji Kote | (2004-08-20) 20 August 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Partizani | v. Greece, 21 March 2025$^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Besar Gugjufi | (2004-05-29) 29 May 2004 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Partizani | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| MF | Gent Elezaj | (2005-04-11) 11 April 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Hammarby TFF | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| MF | Hajrulla Tola | (2004-07-01) 1 July 2004 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Korabi | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| MF | Ermal Meta | (2005-06-20) 20 June 2005 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | Tirana | v. Moldova, 15 November 2024$^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Leandro Frroku | (2003-09-03) 3 September 2003 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | Asteras AKTOR B | v. Armenia, 15 October 2024 |
| 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 2024$^A$ |
| MF | Elion Jashari | (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Basel U21 | v. Switzerland, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Ledjo Tresa | (2005-07-25) 25 July 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Laçi | v. Greece, 21 March 2025$^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Kevin Zefi | (2005-02-11) 11 February 2005 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Roma U20 | v. Greece, 21 March 2025$^{INJ}$ |
| FW | Dario Daka | (2004-01-24) 24 January 2004 (age 21) | 2 | 1 | Trapani | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| FW | Elmedin Rama | (2005-03-25) 25 March 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 1 | Pardubice | v. Moldova, 18 November 2024 |
| FW | Amin Tahiri | (2005-01-11) 11 January 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | Tirana | v. Moldova, 18 November 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 | 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. |||||||

## Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:
| 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

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.

## Honours
### Balkan Youth Championship

* Winners (2): 1978, 1981