The Kosovo national football team (; ) represents Kosovo in men's international football. The team is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo, the governing body for football in Kosovo, and is under the jurisdiction of FIFA globally.
On 29 November 1942, Kosovo for first time in its history played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania against Tirana and the match ended with a 2âÂÂ0 away defeat and the starting line-up of that match was Mustafa Daci (GK), Ballanca, Ahmet Zaimi, Mazllum Xërxa, Veseli, Hajdar Hamza, Nebil Dylatahu, Ramadan Vraniqi, Dobrica Barbaroga, Bajrami and Henci.
On 8 November 1967, Kosovo for first time as autonomous province of SFR Yugoslavia played a friendly match against Yugoslavia and the match ended with a 3âÂÂ3 home draw and the starting line-up of that match was a mix between Albanian and Serbian players as MilosavleviÃÂ, StevanoviÃÂ, Muà ¡ikiÃÂ, Abrashi, S. Dà ¾ukiÃÂ, V. Dà ¾ukiÃÂ, Brovina, Hatibi, RadoviÃÂ, Prekazi and PindoviÃÂ, for Yugoslavia this match it was a pre-preparation before the UEFA Euro 1968 qualifying match against Albania.
Yugoslav squads at international competitions often included players from Kosovo, such as Fadil Vokrri and Stevan StojanoviÃÂ. Three other footballers from Kosovo, Fahrudin Jusufi, Milutin à  oà ¡kiàand Vladimir DurkoviÃÂ, were part of the Yugoslav team that won the gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics and silver medal at the 1960 European Nations' Cup.
On 20 January 1993, The Football Federation of Kosovo signed a cooperation protocol with the Albanian Football Association and in the framework of this protocol it was decided to play on 14 February a friendly match between Albania and Kosovo, which was the first match of Kosovo following the breakup of Yugoslavia, and this match ended with a 1âÂÂ3 defeat and the starting line-up of that match was Ahmet Beselica (GK), Ardian Kozniku, Bardhec Seferi, Fadil Berisha, Gani Llapashtica, Genc Hoxha, Isa Sadriu, Kushtrim Munishi, Muharrem Sahiti, Sadullah Ajeti and Selajdin Jerliu.
On 7 September 2002, Kosovo for first time after the Kosovo War played a friendly match against Albania and the match ended with a 0âÂÂ1 home minimal defeat and the starting line-up of that match was Ahmet Beselica (GK), Ardian Kozniku, Arsim Abazi, Besnik Kollari, Fadil Ademi, Faruk Statovci, Ismet Munishi, Mehmet Dragusha, Sunaj Keqi, Xhevdet Llumnica and Zenun Selimi.
One of the most important international matches was a 1âÂÂ0 win over Saudi Arabia played on 15 June 2007. It was the first time that Kosovo played against a team that has taken part in the FIFA World Cup and the winning goal was scored by Kristian Nushi from the penalty kick on the 84th minute. On 22 April 2006, Kosovo achieved their biggest win, defeating Monaco 7âÂÂ1. If one included matches played before Kosovo became a FIFA member, this scoreline is their best result yet.
On 17 February 2010, for the first time since its declaration of independence, Kosovo played a friendly match against Albania (the match ended with a 2âÂÂ3 home defeat for Kosovo). The starting line-up of that match was Kushtrim Mushica (GK), Anel Rashkaj, Dukagjin Gashi, Enis Zabërgja, Fisnik Papuçi, Ilir Nallbani, Liridon Kukaj, Robert Gjeraj, Shpëtim Hasani and Yll Hoxha. This match had a charity character as the profits gathered from this meeting went to those affected by floods in Shkodër.
On 6 May 2008, after its declaration of independence from Serbia, Kosovo applied for FIFA membership. On 24 October 2008, Kosovo's application was discussed at the FIFA Congress in Zürich and Kosovo's bid was rejected. At the occasion, FIFA's determined Kosovo could not even play friendly matches against FIFA members' national teams.
In September 2012, Albania international Lorik Cana, along with Swiss internationals Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami and Xherdan Shaqiri, all of them with Kosovo Albanian origin, wrote a declaration to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, asking him to allow Kosovo to play friendly matches. The declaration was also signed by eight other Albanian footballers hailing from Kosovo as Ahmed Januzi, Alban Meha, Armend Dallku, Burim Kukeli, Etrit Berisha, Fatmire Bajramaj, Mërgim Mavraj and Samir Ujkani. Some players, especially Kosovo Serbs as Milan Bià ¡evac and Miloà ¡ KrasiÃÂ, continued to play for Serbia.
On 6 February 2013, FIFA decided to allow Kosovan club teams to play friendly games against clubs from countries whose national teams were members of FIFA. However, it was stipulated that Kosovan clubs and teams could not display national symbols such as the Kosovan flag, emblem, etc., or play the Kosovan anthem.
On 5 March 2014, the Kosovan football team was finally allowed by FIFA to play its first international friendly match, against Haiti; the match ended in a 0âÂÂ0 draw. Before the match, some players of Kosovo posed with guns at a shooting range, causing a stir in Serbia. On the eve of the match, supporters of Kosovo burned the flag of Serbia. This incident prompted the Football Association of Serbia to request that FIFA revoked Kosovo's right to play international friendlies.
After the match against Haiti, six more matches were held in 2014, against Turkey, Senegal, Oman, Equatorial Guinea and Albania. The first win in these friendlies was against Oman, by 1âÂÂ0, while the biggest defeat a 1âÂÂ6 against Turkey.
In September 2015, at an UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Malta, the request from Kosovo for admission in UEFA was scheduled for deliberation in the next Ordinary Congress, to be held in Budapest. On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress, Kosovo was accepted into UEFA after members voted 28âÂÂ24 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.
Kosovo began to make their debut in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, where Kosovo was assigned with Croatia, Finland, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine. The Kosovars created its first major surprise, holding host Finland to a 1âÂÂ1 draw, but it turned to be the lone point of Kosovo in the qualification, as the team lost the remaining games and finished last.
Following the failure to qualify for 2018 FIFA World Cup, Kosovo participated in the 2018âÂÂ19 UEFA Nations League D sharing group with Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands and Malta, where the Kosovars topped their group undefeated to reach the country's first-ever play-offs in its attempt to qualify for UEFA Euro 2020. After the successful Nations League, Kosovo entered the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, where they shared group A with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Montenegro and 2018 World Cup fourth place finisher England. As the dark horse of the qualification, Kosovo however created a major phenomenon, managed to beat Bulgaria, Montenegro and especially, a shock home win over the Czechs to take the second place behind England, being 15 matches and on that time nearly two years without defeat winning 11 of these 15 matches. The game against England away even saw the Kosovars took an early lead in the surprise, even though they were unable to protect it and fell 3âÂÂ5 away, ending the longest unbeaten run in the football history of Kosovo. In the decisive match against the Czechs away, which Kosovo needed a win to directly qualify for the first time, Kosovo gained a shock lead, but failed to protect it again as they lost 1âÂÂ2 and could only participate in the play-off, but this remained to be Kosovo's greatest success up to date.
After successfully obtained a play-off position, Kosovo headed to the 2020âÂÂ21 UEFA Nations League C, being drawn with Greece, Moldova and Slovenia. After an impressive performance in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, Kosovo was tipped favorably to be promoted to League B. Yet, Kosovo began the Nations League with a disappointing 1âÂÂ1 away draw to Moldova, before the team which was halved due to the absences of key players suffered a 1âÂÂ2 home loss against Greece.
In Kosovo's first competitive UEFA Euro play-offs, Kosovo was drawn against North Macedonia. However, Kosovo was eliminated after losing 1âÂÂ2 to the Macedonians in Skopje. After the elimination in the play-off's semifinals, the Kosovo's setback continues and the year 2020 was ended six losses, two draws and a victory in the last match of the year against Moldova, a victory which secured the attitude even for another season in the League C of the UEFA Nations League. The result marked the conclusion of a challenging period and initiated a new phase for the national team.
In the qualification campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Kosovo competed in Group B alongside Georgia, Greece, Spain and Sweden. Despite some competitive performances, Kosovo finished second from bottom in the group and did not secure qualification. In the 2022âÂÂ23 UEFA Nations League, Kosovo showed signs of improvement. The team finished second in its League C group, registering wins against Cyprus, Northern Ireland, and suffering two losses from Greece. This position granted Kosovo access to the playoff route for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying via the Nations League rankings. During the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Kosovo was placed in a group with Andorra, Belarus, Israel, Romania and Switzerland. After a series of results, including multiple draws, Kosovo concluded the campaign in fourth place with 11 points, missing out on direct qualification.
In the 2024âÂÂ25 UEFA Nations League, Kosovo competed in League C, alongside Cyprus, Lithuania and Romania. The national team began the campaign with a home defeat to Romania but responded with several convincing victories, including two wins over Cyprus and an away win against Lithuania. The return match against Romania, held on 15 November 2024 in Bucharest, was abandoned and later awarded as a 3âÂÂ0 forfeit loss to Kosovo. The decision came after tensions escalated during the match, involving clashes between players and fans, object-throwing, and physical altercations on the pitch, leading UEFA to end the game prematurely and issue disciplinary action. Kosovo finished second in the group with 13 points, securing a spot in the promotion play-offs to League B.
In March 2025, Kosovo faced Iceland in the promotion play-offs over two legs as part of the 2024âÂÂ25 UEFA Nations League play-offs. The first leg, played at home in Pristina on 20 March 2025, ended in a 2âÂÂ1 victory for Kosovo. Three days later, Kosovo secured a 3âÂÂ1 win in the return leg on neutral ground in Murcia, resulting in a 5âÂÂ2 aggregate score and ensuring promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League for the first time in its history.
In June 2025, Kosovo played two friendly matches at home, recording victories 5âÂÂ2 against Armenia, and 4âÂÂ2 against Comoros, continuing their strong attacking form.
Kosovo then began their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign in September 2025. The team opened with a 0âÂÂ4 away defeat to Switzerland in Basel, before responding with a 2âÂÂ0 home win over Sweden in Pristina. In October 2025, Kosovo drew goalless at home against Slovenia, and followed it with a 1âÂÂ0 away victory over Sweden in Gothenburg. The campaign concluded in November 2025 with two further positive results, as Kosovo defeated Slovenia 2âÂÂ0 away in Ljubljana, securing advancement to the play-offs, and drew 1âÂÂ1 at home against Switzerland.
On 26 March 2026, Kosovo defeated Slovakia 4âÂÂ3 in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs, advancing to their first-ever play-off final, in which they faced Turkey in Pristina, where they lost with a minimum score of 1âÂÂ0.
The Kosovo national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Dardanët" ("Dardanians"). In addition to the official nickname, the Kosovo national team had different nicknames in different periods as:
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. On 23 February 2022, Kosovo signed a three-year contract with the Italian sportswear company ErreÃÂ, making it the team's kit supplier. Starting from June 2026, the German sportswear company Adidas will become the team's next kit supplier.
Kosovo's home stadium is the Fadil Vokrri Stadium. The stadium capacity is 13,500, which makes it the second largest national stadium in Kosovo. Kosovo's previous national stadium was the Adem Jashari Olympic Stadium which is currently under renovation. Kosovo also used Loro Boriçi Stadium during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, and this happened after the two stadiums in Pristina and Mitrovica at that time were under renovation and do not meet UEFA standards. On 12 July 2019, the construction of Kosovo National Stadium began, and two days later the project of this stadium was presented which would have a capacity of 30,000 seats, but after the presentation, the construction was suspended for political reasons related to the location.
This derby is otherwise known as Brotherly derby (), also known as the Brotherly (). The documented beginnings of this derby date back to the time during the World War II, respectively on 29 November 1942, where they played a friendly match as part of the celebrations for 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania and the match ended with a 2âÂÂ0 win for Tirana, this derby is back 50 years after the first match, when the Football Federation of Kosovo signed a cooperation protocol with the Albanian Football Association and in the framework of this protocol it was decided to play on 14 February a friendly match between these two national teams, and this match ended with a 3âÂÂ1 win for Albania.
Kosovo and Romania have a tense football rivalry, largely due to Romania's support for Serbia's territorial integrity and has not recognized the legitimacy of Kosovo's independence. The two teams have faced each other several times, with each match resulting in significant controversy. In a September 2023 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, Kosovo walked off the pitch in protest after incidents involving Romanian fans, including pro-Serbia chants and banners. The match resumed, but Kosovo's appeal for a 3âÂÂ0 victory was rejected and Romania won 2âÂÂ0. In their 2024âÂÂ25 UEFA Nations League encounters, tensions escalated further with fights on the pitch, object-throwing and clashes between players and fans. The final match was abandoned and Romania was later awarded a 3âÂÂ0 victory. Both teams faced fines for the incidents and the Football Federation of Kosovo subsequently confirmed they would appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
The following players have also been called up for the team within the last twelve months and are still available and eligible for selection.
On 9 June 2016, the UEFA Emergency Panel decided that Kosovo would join Croatia, Finland, Iceland, Turkey and Ukraine in Group I, and also decided that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia should not play against Kosovo for security reasons. On 5 September 2016, Kosovo made its debut in FIFA World Cup qualification with a 1âÂÂ1 away draw against Finland, with Kosovo's equalizing goal being scored by newcomer Valon Berisha from a penalty kick in the 60th minute. On 2 September 2021, Kosovo achieved their first win in the FIFA World Cup qualifications a 1âÂÂ0 away win against Georgia. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude>
On 2 December 2018, in Dublin, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group A of the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying, together with Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Montenegro and 2018 World Cup fourth place finisher England. On 25 March 2019, Kosovo made their debut on UEFA European Championship qualifying with a 1âÂÂ1 home draw against Bulgaria and the draw goal was scored by Arbër Zeneli on the 61st minute. On 11 June 2019, Kosovo won their first qualifying match for a major tournament by defeating Bulgaria 3âÂÂ2. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude>
On 24 January 2018, in Lausanne, it was decided that Kosovo should be part of League D in Group 3 of the 2018âÂÂ19 UEFA Nations League, together with Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands and Malta. On 7 September 2018, Kosovo made their debut in the UEFA Nations League with a 0âÂÂ0 away draw against Azerbaijan. On 10 September 2018, Kosovo achieved their first win in the UEFA Nations League, which was also the team's first-ever competitive win, a 2âÂÂ0 home win against the Faroe Islands. Kosovo finished the league unbeaten (with four wins and two draws) and will be promoted to the next tier (C league) for the next edition. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude>
Kosovo for first time after the Kosovo War participated in a tournament held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cyprus Turkish Football Association. Kosovo lost against the host with result 1âÂÂ0 and won against Sàpmi with result 4âÂÂ1. <onlyinclude></onlyinclude>
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