Albania national under-19 football team

Albania Under-19
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA
Head coachJulian Ahmataj
CaptainErnesto Bakiu
Most capsArlind Kurti (17)
Ernest Muçi (17)
Top scorerErnest Muçi (7)
Home stadiumElbasan Arena
Loro Boriçi Stadium
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
  1–8 Netherlands 
(Capbreton, France; 10 November 2001)
Biggest win
  4–0 Malta 
(Seitenstetten, Austria; 10 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
 France 9–0  
(Moscow, Russia; 6 September 2002)
WAFF U-19 Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2024)
Best resultGroup stage (2024)

The Albania national under-19 football team represents Albania in international football at this age level in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, as well as any other under-19 international football tournaments. It is controlled by Albanian Football Association, the governing body for football in Albania.

History

Before 2002, the event was classified as a U-18 tournament.

UEFA European Under-19 Championship record UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification record Manager(s)
Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Norway 2002 did not qualify 3 0 1 2 2 14 Petrit Haxhia
Liechtenstein 2003 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 16 Haxhia
Switzerland 2004 did not qualify 3 0 1 2 1 3 Haxhia
Northern Ireland 2005 did not qualify 6 2 1 3 7 14 Haxhia
Poland 2006 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 2 8 Haxhia
Austria 2007 did not qualify 3 2 0 1 5 4 Ramadan Shehu
Czech Republic 2008 did not qualify 6 1 2 3 4 9 Shehu
Ukraine 2009 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 10 Shehu
France 2010 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 4 8 Nevil Dede
Romania 2011 did not qualify 3 0 1 2 1 8 Shehu
Estonia 2012 did not qualify 3 1 1 1 4 1 Skënder Gega
Lithuania 2013 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 3 6 Foto Strakosha
Hungary 2014 did not qualify 3 0 2 1 2 3 Strakosha
Greece 2015 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 2 7 Altin Lala
Germany 2016 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 3 8 Arjan Bellaj
Georgia (country) 2017 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 3 4 Bellaj
Finland 2018 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 9 Erjon Bogdani
Armenia 2019 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 0 5 Bogdani
Northern Ireland 2020 Tournament was cancelled 3 0 0 3 4 11 Dede
Romania 2021 Tournament was cancelled Tournament was cancelled Armando Cungu
Slovakia 2022 did not qualify 3 1 1 1 5 7 Cungu
Malta 2023 did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 8 Cungu
Northern Ireland 2024 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 6 Ervin Bulku
Romania 2025 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 0 8 Julian Ahmataj
Wales 2026 To be determined To be determined
Israel 2027 To be determined To be determined
Total 74 11 10 53 57 177
WAFF U-19 Championship
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Saudi Arabia 2024 Group stages 3 1 1 1 3 4
Total Gropstage 3 1 1 1 3 4

Recent results

20 March 2024 (2024-03-20) Friendly Malta  0–1   Ta' Qali
19:30 Report Prendi 49' Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Slawomir Olucha (Malta)
22 March 2024 (2024-03-22) Friendly Malta  2–2   Ta' Qali
19:30 Xerri 75'
Camilleri 90+5'
Report Tosku 18'
Myrta 89'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Slawomir Olucha (Malta)
6 June 2024 (2024-06-06) Friendly   2–0  Kosovo Rrogozhinë
18:00 Sulejmani 6', 9' Report Stadium: Egnatia Arena
8 June 2024 (2024-06-08) Friendly   2–5  Kosovo Rrogozhinë
18:00 Sulejmani 45'
Tosku 77'
Report Selishta 10', 27'
Hoti 12'
Shupla 80'
Gashi 90+5'
Stadium: Egnatia Arena
26 June 2024 (2024-06-26) 2024 WAFF U-19 Championship Lebanon  0–2   Taif
21:00 Report Krasniqi 45+3'
Jaku 69'
Stadium: Okadh Sport Club Stadium
28 June 2024 (2024-06-28) 2024 WAFF U-19 Championship   1–1  Iraq Taif
17:00 Sulejmani 69' Report H. Adnan 56' Stadium: Okadh Sport Club Stadium
30 June 2024 (2024-06-30) 2024 WAFF U-19 Championship Jordan  3–0   Riyadh
17:00 Sabra 22', 76'
Al-Khob 90+2'
Report Stadium: King Fahd
9 August 2024 (2024-08-09) Friendly   4–0  Liechtenstein Tirana
17:30 Malaj 19', 50'
Prendi 45'
Hasani 51'
Report Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit
11 August 2024 (2024-08-11) Friendly   6–0  Liechtenstein Tirana
10:00 Belloj 27'
Bastari 39'
Tosku 47'
Malaj 54'
Noreci 65'
Duro 69'
Report Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit
6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) Friendly Turkey  1–0   Riva
Usluoğlu 53' Report Stadium: TFF Riva Facility
8 September 2024 (2024-09-08) Friendly Turkey  1–0   Riva
Ünyay 84' Report Stadium: TFF Riva Facility
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) Friendly Montenegro  2–3   Tuz
Perović 43'
Vukanić 77'
Report Hasani 30'
Vraniçi 47'
Nuredini 60'
Stadium: Stadiumi Tushko Pole
13 October 2024 (2024-10-13) Friendly   2–0  Montenegro Shkodër
Jaku 42'
Gjyla 57'
Report Stadium: Reshit Rusi Stadium
13 November 2024 (2024-11-13) 2025 UEFA Q Israel  6–0   Elbasan
Zoabi 4'
Hazan 18', 55' (pen.)
Khalaili 28'
Oli 52'
Magor 75'
Report Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi (Ukraine)
16 November 2024 (2024-11-16) 2025 UEFA Q Denmark  1–0   Elbasan
Jensen 37' Report Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Referee: Joonas Jaanovits (Estonia)
19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 UEFA Q   0–1  Northern Ireland Elbasan
Report Graham 88' Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Referee: Joonas Jaanovits (Estonia)
21 March 2025 (2025-03-21) Friendly   0–0  North Macedonia Korçë
Report Stadium: Skënderbeu Stadium
23 March 2025 (2025-03-23) Friendly   1–0  North Macedonia Korçë
L. Krasniqi 73' Report Stadium: Skënderbeu Stadium
6 June 2025 (2025-06-06) Friendly Bulgaria  0–0   Etropole
Report Stadium: Chavdar Stadium
9 June 2025 (2025-06-09) Friendly Bulgaria  2–2   Etropole
Idriz 10'
Todorov 90+2'
Report Nuredini 9'
Hoxha 69'
Stadium: Chavdar Stadium
5 August 2025 (2025-08-05) Friendly Italy  4–1   Novara
Pellini 9'
Maffessoli 15'
Artesani 42'
Mosconi 48'
Report B. Krasniqi 5' Stadium: Novarello Sporting Center
7 August 2025 (2025-08-07) Friendly Italy  4–1   Novara
Dashi 60' Report Orlandi 28' Stadium: Novarello Sporting Center
12 November 2025 (2025-11-12) 2026 UEFA Q Ukraine  v  
15 November 2025 (2025-11-15) 2026 UEFA Q Slovakia  v  
18 November 2025 (2025-11-18) 2026 UEFA Q   v  Montenegro

Players

Current squad

  • The following players were called up for the friendly matches.[1]
  • Match dates: 5–7 August 2025
  • Opposition: Italy
  • Caps and goals correct as of: 7 August 2025, after the match against Italy
  • 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
1GK Alain Taho (2007-04-30) 30 April 2007 5 0 Italy Inter U20
1GK Daniel Çuli (2008-10-24) 24 October 2008 5 0 Italy Verona U18
1GK Darius Zadeja (2007-05-07) 7 May 2007 0 0 Albania Partizani U19

2DF Kleo Shpuza (2007-01-07) 7 January 2007 13 0 Italy Udinese U20
2DF Samuele Sina (2007-02-14) 14 February 2007 8 0 Italy Union Brescia
2DF Yoni El Malem Beshaj (2007-07-01) 1 July 2007 6 0 Israel Ashdod U19
2DF Rinaldo Nela (2007-01-20) 20 January 2007 3 0 Albania Partizani U19
2DF Diart Gashi (2008-02-03) 3 February 2008 4 0 Germany Hertha BSC U19
2DF Leon Sylejmani (2008-05-30) 30 May 2008 4 0 Switzerland Servette U19
2DF Davide Avdullari (2007-01-13) 13 January 2007 3 0 Italy Hellas U20
2DF Kris Gecaj (2008-11-14) 14 November 2008 2 0 Italy Genoa U20

3MF Ergis Arifi (2007-01-11) 11 January 2007 17 0 Albania Teuta
3MF Mattia Huqi (2007-06-21) 21 June 2007 10 1 Italy Empoli U20
3MF Besalet Krasniqi (2007-05-30) 30 May 2007 5 1 Italy Bologna U20
3MF Altin Lataj (2007-05-18) 18 May 2007 2 0 Sweden HIF U19
3MF Bjorni Duka (2007-10-14) 14 October 2007 2 0 Albania Dinamo City U19
3MF Matteo Dashi (2007-01-22) 22 January 2007 1 1 England Crystal Palace U21
3MF Ernesto Marqeshi (2008-01-07) 7 January 2008 0 0 Albania Tirana U19

4FW Xheto Joi Nuredini (2007-08-05) 5 August 2007 8 2 Italy Genoa U20
4FW Tedi Malaj (2007-07-02) 2 July 2007 7 3 Albania Partizani
4FW Leart Krasniqi (2007-12-05) 5 December 2007 6 1 Sweden BP U19
4FW Deivid Hoxha (2007-01-20) 20 January 2007 4 1 Greece Panetolikos

Recent call-ups

Following are listed players called up in the previous 12 months that are still eligible to represent Under 19 team.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Etem Xhemali (2007-02-01) 1 February 2007 0 0 Albania Apolonia U19 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
GK Amarildo Dervishaj (2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 7 0 Albania Kukësi v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
GK Aizak Babe (2006-09-05) 5 September 2006 0 0 Albania Tirana U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
GK Henri Bega (2006-12-23) 23 December 2006 0 0 Albania Apolonia U19 v.  Montenegro, 13 October 2024
GK Alesio Pano (2006-03-16) 16 March 2006 0 0 Netherlands Roda JC U19 v.  Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024

DF Ardi Mulaj (2007-01-11) 11 January 2007 4 0 Germany St. Kickers U19 v.  Bulgaria, 9 June 2025
DF Murselo Dervishi (2007-01-18) 18 January 2007 0 0 Albania Tirana U19 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
DF Enea Elmazi (2007-05-12) 12 May 2007 0 0 Albania Partizani U19 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
DF Adi Kurti (2006-01-17) 17 January 2006 19 1 Italy Hellas Verona U21 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Fabjan Përndreca (2005-12-06) 6 December 2005 15 0 Albania Bylisi v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Antonis Dama (2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 11 0 Greece Olympiacos U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Denis Prendi (2006-08-06) 6 August 2006 10 1 Italy Cremonese U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Ernesto Bakiu (2006-01-15) 15 January 2006 5 0 Albania Teuta U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Rajmond Marinaj (2006-11-23) 23 November 2006 2 0 Albania Vora v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Muhadin Sulejmani (2006-04-04) 4 April 2006 5 0 Germany St. Kickers U19 v.  Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
DF Ergi Bastari (2006-07-23) 23 July 2006 2 1 Italy Tuttocuoio v.  Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
DF Renato Halili (2007-10-25) 25 October 2007 2 0 Italy Südtirol U19 v.  Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024

MF Artan Latifi (2007-05-09) 9 May 2007 2 0 Germany Mainz 05 U19 v.  Bulgaria, 9 June 2025
MF Ron Isa (2007-04-20) 20 April 2007 2 0 Switzerland Young Boys U19 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
MF Dean Vraniçi (2006-01-02) 2 January 2006 19 1 Italy Parma U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Jordi Jaku (2006-03-27) 27 March 2006 17 1 Italy Bologna U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Frederik Tosku (2006-02-05) 5 February 2006 13 3 Italy Cesena U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Glenis Belloj (2006-05-30) 30 May 2006 9 1 Albania Elbasani U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Klaus Kashari (2006-10-11) 11 October 2006 6 0 Italy Feralpisalò v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Kledi Marinaj (2006-03-07) 7 March 2006 4 0 Italy Lazio U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Ledion Bendo (2006-12-27) 27 December 2006 4 0 Albania Teuta U19 v.  Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
MF Jamie Noreci (2007-09-06) 6 September 2007 2 1 England Burnley U18 v.  Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024

FW Ledjon Fikaj (2007-03-05) 5 March 2007 1 0 Germany CZ Jena v.  Bulgaria, 9 June 2025
FW Ramiz Ndoj (2007-02-13) 13 February 2007 0 0 Albania Teuta U19 v.  Bulgaria, 9 June 2025
FW Oresti Rifa (2007-02-08) 8 February 2007 2 0 Croatia Hajduk Split v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
FW Xhesild Kapllanaj (2007-02-21) 21 February 2007 0 0 Albania Vllaznia U19 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
FW Flavio Sulejmani (2006-03-20) 20 March 2006 21 7 Italy Lazio U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
FW Rron Hasani (2006-01-31) 31 January 2006 12 2 Germany CZ Jena U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
FW Ersi Bode (2006-02-14) 14 February 2006 9 0 Netherlands ADO U21 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
FW Elmorin Deda (2006-02-05) 5 February 2006 0 0 Albania Tirana U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
FW Dejvi Duro (2006-05-04) 4 May 2006 12 1 Albania Tirana U19 v.  Montenegro, 13 October 2024
FW Briajan Gjyla (2007-07-26) 26 July 2007 6 0 Italy Sassuolo U20 v.  Montenegro, 13 October 2024
FW Aris Ara (2006-05-17) 17 May 2006 0 0 Albania Vllaznia v.  Montenegro, 13 October 2024
FW Dejvi Metaj (2006-01-29) 29 January 2006 4 0 Italy Manfredonia v.  Turkey, 8 September 2024
FW Ariel Krajka (2006-09-27) 27 September 2006 2 0 Albania Tirana U19 v.  Liechtenstein, 11 August 2024
FW Olsi Myrta (2006-01-20) 20 January 2006 4 1 Albania Laçi v.  Liechtenstein, 9 August 2024
Notes

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:[2]

Position Name
Head coach Albania Julian Ahmataj
Assistant coach Albania Agron Kërçova
Goalkeeping coach Albania Ervis Kotorri
Team doctor Albania Mehmet Buzmexhani
Physiotherapists Albania Tedi Maqellara
Athletic preparator Albania Ardit Gjikola
Video analyst Albania Martin Lulgjuraj
Team manager Albania David Grudaj
Equipment manager Albania Lusios Sina

See also

References

  1. ^ "Miqësoret kundër Italisë U-19/ Trajneri Ahmataj fton 22 lojtarë" (in Albanian). Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  2. ^ Kombëtarja U-19 (Albania national under-19 team) FSHF.org