The Albania national under-20 football team is the national under-20 football team of Albania and is controlled by the Football Association of Albania.
| Nickname(s) | Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks) Shqiponjat (The Eagles) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF) | |||
| Confederation | UEFA | |||
| Head coach | Ilias Haxhiraj | |||
| Captain | Elmir Lekaj | |||
| Most caps | Amir Rrahmani (5) Aldo Teqja Marvin Turtulli Klaudio Hyseni Ilir Kastrati Enis Gavazaj Maldin Ymeraj Valon Ahmedi Erion Hoxhallari Arben Muskaj | |||
| Top scorer | Ardit Shehaj (1) Amir Rrahmani Marvin Turtulli Klaudio Hyseni Ilir Kastrati Klodian Gino | |||
| Home stadium | Elbasan Arena Loro Boriçi Stadium | |||
| FIFA code | ALB | |||
| ||||
The under-20 squad is often cited as a feeder squad to the under-21 squad. Most of the player picked for this team are U-21 internationals already.
Because there is no under-20 competition at UEFA level, Albania's under-20 side has generally only competed when it has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every 2 years. Qualification for this competition is achieved in view of performance at the preceding summer's UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship.
Albania have never played a game with the U-20 squad and the team was only formed after an invitation to play in 2009 Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy. Then Albania under-20 participated in the next tournament 2013 Mediterranean Games in Mersin, Turkey.
In 2017 the Albanian Football Association decided to "reborn" the under-20 side by assigning a Friendly match against Georgia under-20 side on 14 November 2017 at David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia.
History
2009 Mediterranean Games
Group D
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 4 |
| Tunisia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| Albania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
Squad
The following players were called up and participated in the 2009 Mediterranean Games football tournament, which began on 25 June in Pescara, Italy.
COACH: Artan Bushati
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Shpëtim Moçka | 20 October 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Flamurtari Vlorë |
| 12 | GK | Ibrahim Bejte | 15 September 1989 (aged 19) | 0 | 0 | Lushnja |
| 4 | DF | Klodian Samina | 19 January 1989 (aged 20) | 2 | 0 | Belasitsa Petrich |
| 2 | DF | Indrit Hithi | 5 February 1990 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |
| 3 | DF | Ditmar Bicaj | 26 February 1989 (aged 20) | 1 | 0 | Belasitsa Petrich |
| 13 | DF | Renato Malota (Captain) | 24 June 1989 (aged 20) | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |
| 11 | DF | Arsen Sykaj | 11 April 1990 (aged 19) | 1 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 7 | MF | Sokol Cikalleshi | 27 July 1990 (aged 18) | 2 | 0 | Besa Kavajë |
| 5 | MF | Ganiol Kaçuli | 22 September 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Elbasani |
| 18 | MF | Orgest Gava | 29 March 1990 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Elbasani |
| 14 | MF | Erjon Vuçaj | 25 December 1990 (aged 18) | 2 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 8 | MF | Sabien Lilaj | 10 February 1989 (aged 20) | 2 | 0 | Skënderbeu Korçë |
| 6 | MF | Elham Galica | 30 January 1989 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Flamurtari Vlorë |
| 16 | MF | Orjan Xhemalaj | 7 June 1989 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | Teuta Durrës |
| 17 | FW | Bekim Balaj | 11 January 1991 (aged 18) | 0 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 10 | FW | Vilfor Hysa | 9 September 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Teuta Durrës |
| 9 | FW | Ardit Shehaj | 23 September 1990 (aged 18) | 2 | 1 | Flamurtari Vlorë |
| 15 | FW | Alban Dashi | 25 September 1989 (aged 19) | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |
2013 Mediterranean Games
Preliminary round - Group A
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 9 |
| Turkey | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 6 |
| Albania | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | −3 | 1 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | −6 | 1 |
| 21 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games | Albania | 2–2 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Mersin, Turkey |
| 18:00 CET | Turtulli 61' Rrahmani 73' | Report | Bajić 44' 52' | Stadium: Tarsus Şehir Stadı, Tarsus Referee: Baris Simsek (Turkey) |
Classification stage - 5–8 matches
| 25 June 2013 2013 Mediterranean Games | Albania | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | North Macedonia | Mersin, Turkey |
| 21:00 CET | Kastrati 85' (pen.) | Report | Kostovski 50' Imeri 6' (extra time) | Stadium: Tevfik Sırrı Gür Stadium Referee: Nikola Popov (Bulgaria) |
Classification stage - 7th place match
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the friendly match.
- Match date: 12 June 2021
- Opposition: Montenegro
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Leonard Kacaj | 19 March 2003 | 0 | 0 | Vllaznia Pozheran |
| 12 | GK | Simon Simoni | 14 July 2004 | 1 | 0 | Shënkolli |
| 23 | GK | Mario Mara | 29 January 2002 | 1 | 0 | Erzeni |
| 2 | DF | Usni Ismaili | 13 March 2002 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | DF | Omar Musaj | 15 April 2002 | 1 | 0 | Tirana |
| 4 | DF | Kesli Shani | 16 December 2002 | 1 | 0 | Lokomotiva Zagreb |
| 5 | DF | Mikel Nuhaj | 1 April 2002 | 1 | 0 | Roda JC |
| 6 | DF | Petro Memushi | 15 January 2002 | 1 | 0 | Arezzo |
| 11 | DF | Geralb Smajli | 16 May 2002 | 1 | 0 | Vllaznia Pozheran |
| 13 | DF | Reild Kurti | 17 October 2002 | 1 | 0 | Korabi Debar |
| 14 | DF | Ergi Goga | 25 October 2002 | 1 | 0 | Akademia e Futbollit |
| 21 | DF | Klaudio Bardhi | 8 April 2002 | 1 | 0 | Akademia e Futbollit |
| 22 | DF | Arsen Elbasani | 28 February 2002 | 1 | 0 | Vllaznia Pozheran |
| 7 | MF | Flamur Ruçi | 19 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | Bylis |
| 9 | MF | Rubin Zijaj | 11 March 2002 | 1 | 0 | Apolonia Fier |
| 10 | MF | Xheron Osma | 20 August 2003 | 1 | 0 | Kukësi |
| 15 | MF | Albnor Kaba | 24 November 2002 | 1 | 0 | Shkëndija |
| 8 | FW | Aldi Gjumsi | 15 March 2002 | 1 | 0 | Tirana |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up for Albania U20 squad within the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Mario Dajsinani | 23 December 1998 | 1 | 0 | Erzeni Shijak | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| GK | Angelo Tafa | 5 July 2000 | 1 | 0 | AEK Athens | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| GK | Gentian Selmani | 9 March 1998 | 0 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE |
| DF | Irlian Ceka | 3 March 1998 | 1 | 0 | Sambenedettese | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| DF | Amer Duka | 21 January 1999 | 1 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| DF | Ded Bushi | 2 October 1998 | 1 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Agim Zeka | 6 September 1998 | 1 | 0 | Varzim | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Emir Sahiti | 29 November 1998 | 1 | 0 | Unattached | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Agon Mucolli | 26 September 1998 | 1 | 0 | Vejle Boldklub | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Marco Hoxha | 22 September 1998 | 1 | 0 | ArzignanoChiampo | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| MF | Sherif Kallaku | 1 March 1998 | 0 | 0 | Laçi | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE |
| MF | Aleksandro Zaimaj | 19 January 1998 | 0 | 0 | PAE Kerkyra | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 PRE |
| FW | Valdrin Mustafa | 11 March 1998 | 1 | 0 | FC Kaiserslautern | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| FW | Rubin Hebaj | 30 July 1998 | 1 | 0 | Domžale | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
| FW | Armend Aslani | 23 June 1998 | 1 | 0 | Akademisk Boldklub | v. Georgia, 14 November 2017 |
- Notes
- INJ Withdrew due to injury
- PRE Preliminary squad / standby
- RET Retired from international football
- SUS Suspended from national team
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff:
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Ilir Biturku |
| Assistant coach | Arjan Bellaj |
| Goalkeeping coach | Alfred Osmani |
| Athletic coach | Iris Selimi |
| Team doctor | Erald Derveni |
| Physiotherapists | Gledi Rexha |
| Physiotherapists | Edison Koçi |
| Base materials | Roland Rarani |
Tournament history
FIFA U-20 World Cup
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| 1979 | |||||||||||||||
| 1981 | |||||||||||||||
| 1983 | |||||||||||||||
| 1985 | |||||||||||||||
| 1987 | |||||||||||||||
| 1989 | |||||||||||||||
| 1991 | |||||||||||||||
| 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| 1995 | |||||||||||||||
| 1997 | |||||||||||||||
| 1999 | |||||||||||||||
| 2001 | |||||||||||||||
| 2003 | |||||||||||||||
| 2005 | |||||||||||||||
| 2007 | |||||||||||||||
| 2009 | |||||||||||||||
| 2011 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013 | |||||||||||||||
| 2015 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Cancelled | ||||||||||||||
| 2023 | did not qualify | ||||||||||||||
| 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| 2027 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Mediterranean Games - Football
| Football at the Mediterranean Games record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | GP | W | D | L | GS | GA |
| 2009 | Group stage | 10th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 2013 | Group stage | 8th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 11 |
| Total | 0/2 | Best: 8th | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 16 |
See also
- Albania national football team
- Albania national under-23 football team
- Albania national under-21 football team
- Albania national under-19 football team
- Albania national under-18 football team
- Albania national under-17 football team
- Albania national under-16 football team
- Albania national under-15 football team
- Albania national football team results
- Albania national youth football team
- Albanian Superliga
- Football in Albania
- List of Albania international footballers
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