Kosovo national under-21 football team

The Kosovo national under-21 football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Kosovës nën 21 vjeç, Serbian Cyrillic: 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.

Kosovo Under-21
Nickname(s)Dardanët (Dardanians)
AssociationFederata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachMichael Nees
CaptainRotation
Most capsAs FIFA member
Besfort Kolgeci (11)
Top scorerAs FIFA member
Florent Hasani (3)
Home stadiumFadil Vokrri Stadium
FIFA codeKVX[1]
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
Permitted by FIFA
 Ghana 2–2 Kosovo 
(Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 12 June 2013)
As FIFA member
 Republic of Ireland 1–0 Kosovo 
(Dublin, Ireland; 25 March 2017
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)

History

On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave permission to play international friendly games against other member associations.[2]

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.[3] 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.[4]

UEFA European Under-21 Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Year Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1978 to 1998 Part of  Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia —
2000 to 2015 Not a UEFA member Not a UEFA member
2017 Could not enter —
2019 Did not qualify 2019 5th10334912
2021 Did not qualify 2021 5th10307920
2023 To be determined 2023 0000000
Total — 0/23 0 0 0 0 0 0 — Total 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 2011210Squad
Total — 1/1 2 0 1 1 2 10 —

Fixtures and results
For all past match results of the national team, see single-season articles and the team's results page

2020
4 September 2021 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  0–6  England Pristina, Kosovo
Report Nketiah  51', 55', 61' (pen.)
Nelson  66'
Sessegnon  82'
Bellingham  85'		 Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hakim (Sweden)
9 October 2021 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  0–1  Austria Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 Report Grüll  86' Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Laurent Kopriwa (Luxembourg)
13 October 2021 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  1–0  Andorra Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 Daku  62' Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 0[a]
Referee: Jamie Robert Robinson (Northern Ireland)
13 November[b] 2021 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  0–1  Albania Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 Report Çokaj  35' Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 50
Referee: Nathan Verboomen (Belgium)
17 November 2021 UEFA U-21 Q Turkey  3–0  Kosovo Samsun, Turkey
17:00 (18:00 TRT) Dervişoğlu  21'
Yalçın  32' (pen.)
Özdemir  64'		 Report Stadium: Samsun Stadium
Attendance: 106
Referee: Aleksei Matyunin (Russia)

2021
8 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  v  Andorra Pristina, Kosovo
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
7 September 2023 UEFA U-21 Q England  v  Kosovo England
7 October 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  v  Czech Republic Pristina, Kosovo
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
12 October 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Czech Republic  v  Kosovo Czech Republic
16 November 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  v  Albania Pristina, Kosovo
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium

2022
25 March 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  v  Slovenia Pristina, Kosovo
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
29 March 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Slovenia  v  Kosovo Slovenia
4 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Andorra  v  Kosovo Andorra la Vella, Andorra
Stadium: Estadi Comunal
10 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Kosovo  v  England Pristina, Kosovo
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
14 June 2023 UEFA U-21 Q Albania  v  Kosovo Albania

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification matches against  Albania and  Turkey, on 13 and 17 November 2020.[5] All caps and goals as of 17 November 2020 after match against  Turkey, only competitive matches are included.

  • 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 Florjan Smakiqi (1998-08-10) 10 August 1998 9 0 Feronikeli
12 1GK David Nreca-Bisinger (2002-01-18) 18 January 2002 3 0 Sonnenhof Großaspach
4 2DF Leonat Vitija (2000-08-22) 22 August 2000 5 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
5 2DF Leard Sadriu (2001-04-22) 22 April 2001 5 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
3 2DF Edvin Kurtulus (2000-03-05) 5 March 2000 3 0 Halmstad
2 2DF Albin Kapra (2000-06-07) 7 June 2000 1 0 Trepça'89
13 2DF Valon Zumberi (2002-11-24) 24 November 2002 1 0 Hamburger SV
19 2DF Bujar Pllana (2001-10-29) 29 October 2001 0 0 Feronikeli
15 3MF Muharrem Jashari (1998-02-21) 21 February 1998 9 0 Trepça'89
8 3MF Blendi Baftiu (Vice-captain) (1998-02-17) 17 February 1998 7 1 Ballkani
14 3MF Kastriot Selmani (1999-07-08) 8 July 1999 5 0 Llapi
10 3MF Arton Zekaj (Captain) (2000-04-16) 16 April 2000 5 0 Lille
21 3MF Blendi Idrizi (1998-05-02) 2 May 1998 3 0 Schalke 04 II
22 3MF Valon Hamdiu (1998-06-10) 10 June 1998 3 0 Schaffhausen
17 3MF Edison Kqiku (1999-01-16) 16 January 1999 3 0 Gjilani
11 3MF Almir Kryeziu (1998-10-14) 14 October 1998 2 0 Arbëria
6 3MF Alban Shabani (2000-05-18) 18 May 2000 2 0 Skënderbeu Korçë
18 3MF Valmir Veliu (2000-06-04) 4 June 2000 2 0 Llapi
7 3MF Gentrit Limani (2000-04-01) 1 April 2000 1 0 Hamburger SV II
9 4FW Valdrin Mustafa (1998-03-11) 11 March 1998 5 0 Rot-Weiß Koblenz

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 Ardit Nika (1998-02-17) 17 February 1998 0 0 Prishtina v.  Albania, 13 November 2020PRE
GK Shaban Kuquku (2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 0 0 Sion U21 v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
GK Agron Kolaj (2001-03-19) 19 March 2001 0 0 Besa Pejë v.  England, 4 September 2020PRE
DF Ramiz Bytyqi (1999-01-10) 10 January 1999 0 0 Ballkani v.  Albania, 13 November 2020PRE
DF Destan Bajselmani (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999 0 0 PEC Zwolle v.  Albania, 13 November 2020
DF Kreshnik Hajrizi (1999-05-28) 28 May 1999 7 0 Chiasso v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020COVID
DF Lirim Kastrati (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 6 0 Újpest v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020COVID
DF Fuad Rahimi (1998-04-11) 11 April 1998 5 0 Vaduz v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
DF Lumbardh Dellova (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 2 0 Prishtina v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
DF Hajdin Salihu (2002-01-18) 18 January 2002 0 0 Lokomotiva v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
DF Arbenit Xhemajli (1998-04-23) 23 April 1998 6 1 Sunderland v.  Austria, 9 October 2020INJ
MF Diamant Berisha (2000-07-22) 22 July 2000 1 0 Schalke 04 II v.  Turkey, 17 November 2020
MF Qëndrim Zyba (2001-01-03) 3 January 2001 0 0 Prishtina v.  Turkey, 17 November 2020
MF Alban Ajdini (1999-07-09) 9 July 1999 2 0 Stade Lausanne Ouchy v.  Albania, 13 November 2020
MF Donat Rrudhani (1999-05-02) 2 May 1999 0 0 Aarau v.  Albania, 13 November 2020
MF Eris Abedini (1998-08-29) 29 August 1998 7 1 Recreativo Granada v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020COVID
MF Kreshnik Krasniqi (2000-12-22) 22 December 2000 5 0 Strømsgodset v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
MF Gëzim Pepsi (1998-07-12) 12 July 1998 3 0 Winterthur v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
MF Altin Kryeziu (2002-01-03) 3 January 2002 3 0 Torino v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
MF Liridon Balaj (1999-08-15) 15 August 1999 0 0 Aarau v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020INJ
MF Ismet Lushaku (2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 5 0 AFC Eskilstuna v.  England, 4 September 2020
MF Behadil Sabani (2000-01-26) 26 January 2000 1 0 FC Emmen v.  England, 4 September 2020
MF Florent Muslija (1998-07-06) 6 July 1998 0 0 Hannover 96 v.  England, 4 September 2020A
MF Patriot Sejdiu (2000-05-05) 5 May 2000 0 0 Malmö v.  England, 4 September 2020PRE
MF Erion Sadiku (2002-01-23) 23 January 2002 0 0 Varbergs BoIS v.  England, 4 September 2020
FW Ermal Krasniqi (1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 1 0 Ballkani v.  Albania, 13 November 2020PRE
FW Florjan Seferaj (2000-09-26) 26 September 2000 0 0 Mosta v.  Albania, 13 November 2020
FW Mirlind Daku (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 12 3 Ballkani v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020A / SUSP
FW Edi Sylisufaj (2000-03-08) 8 March 2000 2 0 Falkenbergs FF v.  Andorra, 13 October 2020
FW Lirim Kastrati (1999-01-16) 16 January 1999 7 1 Dinamo Zagreb v.  England, 4 September 2020A
FW Arb Manaj (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 1 0 Ankara Keçiörengücü v.  England, 4 September 2020
FW Bleart Tolaj (2000-02-07) 7 February 2000 1 0 Hajduk Split II v.  England, 4 September 2020
FW Jetmir Topalli (1998-02-07) 7 February 1998 0 0 Yeni Malatyaspor v.  England, 4 September 2020WD
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad.
  • COVID = The player is not part of the current squad due to has been tested positive for COVID-19.
  • INJ = The player is not part of the current squad due to injury.
  • A = Was called up from national senior squad.
  • SUSP = It is not available in next match due to red card suspension.
  • WD = The player withdrew for private reasons.

Coaching staff
Position Name
Head coach Michael Nees
Assistant coach vacant
Goalkeeping coach Naser Prapashtica
Physiotherapist(s)
Eqrem Gara
Feim Gashi
Doctor Dr. Norik Hoxha
Device manager Taulant Ahmetaj
Team manager Zgjim Sojeva
Technical director vacant

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

See also
Men's
Women's

Notes and references

Notes
  1. ^
    The match was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo.
  2. ^
    The Kosovo v Albania match, originally scheduled for 27 March 2020 at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina was postponed on 17 March due to the coronavirus.[6] The match was later rescheduled to 13 November 2020.[7]

References
  1. Dryomin, Mark; Tabeira, Martin; Lozano, Carles; Jeffree, Iain (2 June 2016). "FIFA Country Codes". rsssf.com. RSSSF. Kosovo (KVX)
  2. "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA.com. 6 February 2013.
  3. "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
  4. "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.
  5. "Prekazi publikon listën e futbollistëve për dy ndeshjet e nëntorit" [Prekazi publishes the list of players for the two November matches] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 6 November 2020.
  6. "UEFA postpones EURO 2020 by 12 months". UEFA. 17 March 2020. All UEFA competitions and matches (including friendlies) for clubs and national teams for both men and women have been put on hold until further notice. The UEFA EURO 2020 play-off matches and international friendlies, scheduled for the end of March, will now be played in the international window at the start of June, subject to a review of the situation
  7. "U-21, UEFA përcakton kalendarin e ndeshjeve të Shqipërisë për 2020" [U-21, UEFA sets the schedule of Albania's matches for 2020] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 19 June 2020. 13 nëntor/ Kosovë U-21 vs Shqipëri U-21
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