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Kosovo national under-21 football team

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Kosovo U-21
NicknameDardanët (Dardanians)
AssociationFederata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachHekuran Kryeziu
CaptainRotation
Most capsArdit Tahiri
Valon Zumberi (18)
Top scorerLeon Frokaj (4)
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
 Kosovo 7–0 San Marino 
(Pristina, Kosovo; 14 October 2025)
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. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Kosovo national senior team.

History

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Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

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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

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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]

UEFA European Championship qualifications

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2019 qualifications

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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 qualifications

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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]

Team image

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Nicknames

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The Kosovo national football team has been known by the nickname "Dardanët" ("Dardanians"). Prior to 2016, the team was also sometimes referred to as "Shqipëria B" ("Albania B") due to the exchange of players between the national teams of Kosovo and Albania, which led to informal references to both teams as reserve (B) sides of one another. Kosovo received this nickname because several players joined the team after limited opportunities with Albania, while the Albania national team was occasionally described as "Kosovo B" because of the significant presence of players of Kosovo Albanian descent in its squad.[19]

Kits and crest

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The Kosovo national team kits were mostly red and black before the declaration of independence, with occasional variations over the years. After independence, the kits have primarily been blue and yellow. On 5 October 2016, Kosovo signed a four-year contract with the Spanish sportswear company Kelme, becoming the first official kit supplier of Kosovo following the country's membership in UEFA and FIFA.[20] On 23 February 2022, Kosovo signed a three-year contract with the Italian sportswear company Erreà, making it the team's kit supplier.[21] Starting from June 2026, the German sportswear company Adidas will become the team's next kit supplier.[22]

Kit sponsorship

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Kit supplier Period Contract
Announcement Duration
Kelme 2016–2018 5 October 2016 2016–2020 (4 years)
Fourteen 2018–2022 16 June 2018 2018–2022 (4 years)
Erreà 2023–2026 23 February 2023 2023–2026 (3 years)
Adidas 2026–present 5 February 2026 2026–2028 (2 years)

Fixtures and results

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2025

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5 September UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Romania  0–0  Kosovo Iași, Romania
17:30 Report Stadium: Emil Alexandrescu Stadium
Attendance: 8,565
Referee: Mehmet Türkmen (Turkey)
9 September UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  1–3  Spain Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 A. Hasani 22' Report
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Martin Matoša (Slovenia)
14 October UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  7–0  San Marino Pristina, Kosovo
18:00
  • Bujupi 11'
  • Frokaj 16', 84'
  • Berisha 20', 60'
  • L. Jashari 63'
  • Selmonaj 75'
 Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 602
Referee: Jasmin Šabotić (Luxembourg)
14 November UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Cyprus  0–4  Kosovo Dasaki Achnas, Cyprus
18:00 Report
Stadium: Dasaki Stadium
Referee: Mateo Erceg (Croatia)
18 November UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Finland  0–0  Kosovo Turku, Finland
17:30 Report Stadium: Kupittaa Stadium
Referee: David Šmajc (Slovenia)

2026

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27 March UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  0–1  Romania Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 Report Vermeșan 66' Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 350
Referee: Iwan Griffith (Wales)
31 March UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Spain  2–0  Kosovo Alcalá de Henares, Spain
19:00 G. García 71'
P. García 90+4'		 Report Stadium: Centro Deportivo Wanda Alcalá de Henares
Attendance: 2,318
Referee: Joakim Östling (Sweden)
3 June Friendly Turkey  1–0  Kosovo Ümraniye, Turkey
19:00 Malkoçoğlu 82' Report Stadium: Ümraniye Municipality City Stadium
Referee: Melih Aldemir (Turkey)
6 June Friendly Kosovo  0–0  Luxembourg Hajvalia, Kosovo
16:00 Stadium: FFK National Educational Camp
Referee: Mervan Bejtullahu (Kosovo)
23 August 2026 Mediterranean Games Italy  v  Kosovo TBD, Italy
Stadium: TBD
26 August 2026 Mediterranean Games Kosovo  v  Algeria TBD, Italy
Stadium: TBD
30 August 2026 Mediterranean Games Kosovo  v  Albania TBD, Italy
Stadium: TBD

Players

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Current squad

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No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Altin Gjokaj (2005-11-11) 11 November 2005 (age 20) 5 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Prishtina
12 1GK Miran Qela (2006-12-13) 13 December 2006 (age 19) 0 0 German Football Association 1860 Munich
16 1GK Lindsay Gutaj (2007-02-15) 15 February 2007 (age 19) 0 0 German Football Association 1. FC Nürnberg U19
3 2DF Ledjan Sahitaj (2004-01-12) 12 January 2004 (age 22) 8 0 Swiss Football Association Winterthur
5 2DF Leon Zeqiraj (2005-07-02) 2 July 2005 (age 21) 6 0 Croatian Football Federation Hrvace
13 2DF Leon Parduzi (2006-12-10) 10 December 2006 (age 19) 9 0 German Football Association Holstein Kiel
14 2DF Endrit Hasanmetaj (2007-01-28) 28 January 2007 (age 19) 0 0 Swiss Football Association Winterthur U19
15 2DF Lendrit Shala (co-captain) (2004-05-04) 4 May 2004 (age 22) 13 1 Swiss Football Association Bellinzona
2 3MF Diart Gashi (2008-02-03) 3 February 2008 (age 18) 0 0 German Football Association Hertha BSC U19
4 3MF Denis Kryeziu (2006-09-19) 19 September 2006 (age 19) 1 0 German Football Association Waldhof Mannheim
6 3MF Elion Jashari (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 20) 3 0 Swiss Football Association Bellinzona
8 3MF Arjol Bllaca (2005-02-20) 20 February 2005 (age 21) 3 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Prishtina
10 3MF Dren Zeqiri (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 (age 22) 5 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Prishtina
11 3MF Laurent Xhylani (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 (age 21) 7 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Malisheva
19 3MF Arjanit Fazlija (2005-02-05) 5 February 2005 (age 21) 9 1 German Football Association Greuther Fürth II
20 3MF Dardan Morina (2005-10-14) 14 October 2005 (age 20) 4 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Dukagjini
21 3MF Albert Rrahmani (2007-03-11) 11 March 2007 (age 19) 1 0 Danish Football Association Sønderjyske
7 4FW Igball Jashari (co-captain) (2005-07-14) 14 July 2005 (age 21) 12 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Drenica
9 4FW Hekuran Berisha (co-captain) (2005-10-03) 3 October 2005 (age 20) 12 2 Football Federation of Kosovo Dukagjini
17 4FW Lorik Mehmeti (2008-06-05) 5 June 2008 (age 18) 0 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Prishtina U19
18 4FW Meris Maliqi (2005-09-26) 26 September 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Dukagjini
22 4FW Xhan Aliu (2006-05-07) 7 May 2006 (age 20) 1 0 Swiss Football Association Wil
23 4FW Erion Sadriu (2004-08-14) 14 August 2004 (age 21) 9 0 Football Federation of Kosovo Ferizaj

Recent call-ups

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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 Laurent Seji (2004-05-22) 22 May 2004 (age 22) 9 0 Switzerland Grasshoppers v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
GK Art Miftari (2005-01-10) 10 January 2005 (age 21) 1 0 Kosovo Ramiz Sadiku v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
GK Eurolind Avdimetaj (2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 (age 21) 1 0 Kosovo Suhareka v.  San Marino, 14 October 2025
DF Indrit Mavraj (2006-01-23) 23 January 2006 (age 20) 3 0 Poland Lechia Gdańsk v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
DF Fuad Ajvazi (2004-08-24) 24 August 2004 (age 21) 2 0 Kosovo Llapi v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
DF Luan Lleshi (2006-01-14) 14 January 2006 (age 20) 1 0 Kosovo Llapi v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
DF Julind Selmonaj (2004-11-05) 5 November 2004 (age 21) 8 1 Switzerland Wil v.  Finland, 18 November 2025INJ
DF Altin Berisha (2005-05-03) 3 May 2005 (age 21) 0 0 Switzerland Wil v.  Finland, 18 November 2025
DF Dejvid Kabashi (2006-08-06) 6 August 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Switzerland Luzern U21 v.  Romania, 5 September 2025PRE
MF Dior Gërbovci (2006-02-22) 22 February 2006 (age 20) 0 0 Kosovo Ferizaj v.  Turkey, 3 June 2026PRE
MF Leon Frokaj (2005-04-23) 23 April 2005 (age 21) 13 4 Switzerland Aarau v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
MF Lirim Jashari (2006-04-21) 21 April 2006 (age 20) 9 1 Netherlands MVV Maastricht v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
MF Faton Ademi (2006-05-19) 19 May 2006 (age 20) 8 0 Germany Alemannia Aachen v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
MF Elvir Gashijan (2006-08-05) 5 August 2006 (age 19) 6 0 Kosovo Llapi v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
MF Arianit Hasani (2004-02-24) 24 February 2004 (age 22) 5 1 Kosovo Llapi v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
MF Adem Imeri (2006-02-13) 13 February 2006 (age 20) 5 0 Germany Greuther Fürth II v.  Spain, 31 March 2026
MF Hamza Muqaj (2005-10-03) 3 October 2005 (age 20) 8 0 Germany Holstein Kiel v.  Finland, 18 November 2025INJ
MF Edion Gashi (2006-01-22) 22 January 2006 (age 20) 1 0 Germany Schalke 04 II v.  Cyprus, 14 November 2025PRE
MF Elvaris Suplja (2006-02-28) 28 February 2006 (age 20) 1 0 Italy Fidelis Andria v.  San Marino, 14 October 2025
MF Lorent Talla (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 21) 2 0 Portugal Rio Ave U23 v.  Spain, 9 September 2025
MF Blerton Isufi (2006-02-14) 14 February 2006 (age 20) 0 0 Norway Molde v.  Spain, 9 September 2025
FW Rin Ahmeti (2008-08-09) 9 August 2008 (age 17) 0 0 Kosovo Prishtina v.  Turkey, 3 June 2026PRE
FW Medin Gashi (2006-02-01) 1 February 2006 (age 20) 3 1 Croatia Gorica v.  Spain, 31 March 2026PRE
FW Eliot Bujupi (2006-07-03) 3 July 2006 (age 20) 5 3 Belgium Westerlo v.  Finland, 18 November 2025INJ
Notes
  • INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Competitive record

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UEFA European Championship

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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.[25] 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.[26]

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  SFR Yugoslavia Part of  SFR Yugoslavia
France 1994 to Romania 1998 Part of  FR Yugoslavia Part of  FR Yugoslavia
Slovakia 2000 to Netherlands 2007 Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK Not a FIFA member
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 4th10334813
Slovakia 2025 4th103341017
AlbaniaSerbia 2027 To be determined 4th7223126
Total — 0/26 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 5/18 47 14 11 22 48 68

Other tournaments

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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 Valais Youth Cup Fourth place 4th 2011210Squad
Italy 2026 Mediterranean Games To be determined
Total — 1/1 2 0 1 1 2 10 —

See also

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Men's
Women's

Notes and references

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Notes

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  1. ↑ There may be more matches or goals, as some data is missing, mainly from friendly matches.

References

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  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. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017.
  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. ↑ Besnik Dizdari (18 November 2015). "Kosova A – "Kosova B" 2–2 ose Kosova – Shqipëria 30–6!" [Kosovo A – "Kosovo B" 2–2 or Kosovo – Albania 30–6!] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  20. ↑ "Nënshkruhet marrëveshja mes FFK-së dhe 'Kelme' për fanellat e Përfaqësueses së Kosovës (Foto/Video)" [Agreement signed between FFK and Kelme for the Kosovo national team kits (Photo/Video)] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 5 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  21. ↑ "FFK lidh marrëveshje me kompaninë e veshjeve sportive 'ERREA'" [FFK signs an agreement with the sportswear company 'ERREÀ'] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  22. ↑ "New jersey presented, Kosovo to be outfitted by Adidas". Telegrafi. 5 February 2026.
  23. ↑ "Përzgjedhësi i Kombëtares U21 të Kosovës, Hekuran Kryeziu, e ka publikuar listën e futbollistëve të ftuar për dy ndeshjet miqësore që do të zhvillohen në qershor" [The coach of the Kosovo national U21 team, Hekuran Kryeziu, has published the list of players invited for the two friendly matches that will take place in June]. Facebook (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 31 May 2026.[self-published]
  24. ↑ "Türkiye–Kosova" [Turkey–Kosovo] (in Turkish). Turkish Football Federation. 3 June 2026.
  25. ↑ "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
  26. ↑ "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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