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. Kosovo was admitted as a member of UEFA and FIFA in May 2016, allowing the team to participate in official international competitions. Prior to official recognition, Kosovan players were eligible to play for other national teams, most notably Albania national team.
Kosovo played its first official match on 5 March 2014, a friendly against Haiti national team, before gaining FIFA membership. Since joining UEFA and FIFA, Kosovo has participated in qualification campaigns for the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. The team has yet to qualify for a major tournament, but it has achieved notable results in friendly matches and UEFA Nations League competitions.
The team's home matches are primarily held at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina. Kosovo's kit is traditionally blue and white, and the squad has included players competing in top European leagues. The national team has become a symbol of national identity and pride, reflecting the development of football infrastructure and talent in Kosovo.
Caps and goals are correct , after the match against Switzerland.
Kosovo also played its first recorded match in history on 29 November 1942, a friendly as part of the celebrations for the 30th Anniversary of the Independence of Albania against Tirana, which ended in a 2âÂÂ0 away defeat.
Ten players made their debut for Kosovo before turning 19, three of them under 18. Several players were not yet of age on their debut. Among these youngest debutants, some have gone on to become regular internationals, scoring goals and achieving notable careers. This table lists the youngest players to appear for the Kosovo national football team, including their age at debut, positions, caps, goals, opponents, and debut dates.
This list includes the oldest players to make their debut for the Kosovo national football team.
This list includes the oldest players to appear for the Kosovo national football team.
This list includes players who have captained the Kosovo national football team, ranked from the oldest to the youngest.
This list includes the five youngest players to have scored their first goal for the Kosovo national football team.
This list includes the five oldest players to have scored their first goal for the Kosovo national football team.
This table lists Kosovo national team players ranked by their goals-to-caps ratio.
This table shows Kosovo's head-to-head record aggregated by continental football association and non-FIFA teams.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.