Kosovo national under-21 football team

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The Kosovo national under-21 football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të Kosovës nën 21 vjeç; Serbian: 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. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Kosovo national team.

Kosovo Under-21
NicknameDardanët (Dardanians)
AssociationFederata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachHekuran Kryeziu
CaptainRotation
Most capsArdit Tahiri
Valon Zumberi (18)
Top scorerLeon Frokaj (4)
Home stadiumFadil Vokrri Stadium
FIFA codeKOS
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
 Ghana 2–2 Kosovo 
(Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 12 June 2013)
Biggest win
 Kosovo 7–0 San Marino 
(Pristina, Kosovo; 14 October 2025)
Biggest defeat
 Egypt 8–0 Kosovo 
(Le Bouveret, Switzerland; 15 June 2013)

History

Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave the permission to play international friendly games against other member associations. Whereas, on 13 January 2014, there was a change of this permit that forbade Kosovo to play against the national teams of the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Club teams were also allowed to play friendlies and this happened after a FIFA Emergency Committee meeting. However, it was stipulated that clubs and representative teams of the Football Federation of Kosovo may not display national symbols as flags, emblems, etc. or play national anthems. The go-ahead was given after meetings between the Football Association of Serbia and Sepp Blatter.

Membership in UEFA and FIFA

In September 2015 at an UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Malta was approved the request from the federation to the admission in UEFA to the next Ordinary Congress to be held in Budapest. On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress. Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 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.

UEFA European Championship qualifications

2019 qualifications

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. 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. On 29 July 2017, UEFA confirmed that the match in which Kosovo had lost with a deep score 0–5 against Norway was given as a 3–0 victory for Kosovo, this happened after in that match for Norway had played Kristoffer Ajer who was suspended. This match for Kosovo was the first victory in a qualifying match for a major tournament. Kosovo would secure another dramatic win against Norway at home with 3–2 by two goals from Enis Bytyqi and one from Florent Hasani, that was Kosovo's first home win in their history at this competition.

2021 qualifications

On 11 December 2018, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 3 of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification, together with Albania, Andorra, Austria, England and Turkey. Before the start of this qualifying cycle, Kosovo in March 2019 played two friendly matches in Antalya with Turkmenistan which won with a narrow score of 3–2, and with Malta which won with a minimum score of 1–0, in the composition of Kosovo was the players who would potentially be part of the national team during the qualifying cycle. On 6 June 2019, Kosovo started the qualifying cycle against Andorra which they defeated with a deep score 4–0 and this match is their best result yet. Kosovo would follow this great result after beating Turkey at home with 3-1 showing a great display. Also leading the qualifying table, for the first time in their history. Success wouldn't follow as Kosovo than lost a string of five matches in the process in which they only scored two goals. Against Albania losing away with 2-1 in Elbasan. Kosovo would secure their third win against Andorra at home with a close 1-0 win. Their last match ended in a devastating loss against Turkey in Istanbul with 3-0 their seventh loss in total. Kosovo finished their Qualifying in 5th place with nine points, only above Andorra, but trailing behind Turkey, Albania, Austria and Group winners England.

Team image

Nicknames

The Kosovo national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Dardanët" ("Dardanians"). In addition to the official nickname, the Kosovo national team has another nickname as:

  • "Shqipëria B" ("Albania B") — During the period before 2016, the national teams of Kosovo and Albania have exchanged players with each other, which influenced these two teams to be nicknamed reserve (B) teams of each other, the Kosovo national team was nicknamed Albania B due to many players came to play for Kosovo as they had no space to play for Albania, but the same thing happened with the Albanian national team which was nicknamed Kosovo B due to of the large number of players of Kosovo Albanian descent in its composition.

Kits and crest

The Kosovo kit has been mostly red and black before declaration of independence with few changes throughout the years and after the independence the kits are mostly blue and yellow. On 5 October 2016, Kosovo signed with Spanish sportswear company Kelme to a four-year contract and was the first official kit suppliers of Kosovo after membership in UEFA and FIFA. On 23 February 2022, Kosovo signed with Italian sportswear company Erreà to a three-year contract for it to the kit suppliers of Kosovo.

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier Period Contract
Announcement Duration
Kelme 2016–2018 5 October 2016 2016–2020 (4 years)
Fourteen 2018–2022 16 June 2018 2018–2022 (4 years)
Erreà 2023–present 23 February 2023 2023–2026 (3 years)

Fixtures and results

2025

Turkey  v  Kosovo
21 March Friendly Turkey  2–1  Kosovo Alanya, Turkey
20:30
  • Çelik 10'
  • Kılıçsoy 65' (pen.)
 Report Frokaj 33' Stadium: Alanya Oba Stadium
Referee: Mazlum Doğan Bodur (Turkey)
Moldova  v  Kosovo
25 March Friendly Moldova  1–2  Kosovo Belek, Turkey
16:00 Rotaru 46' Report
  • Gashi 7'
  • Krasniqi 65'
 Stadium: Cornelia Sports Centre
Kosovo  v  North Macedonia
28 May Friendly Kosovo  0–0  North Macedonia Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
North Macedonia  v  Kosovo
31 May Friendly North Macedonia  0–0  Kosovo Skopje, North Macedonia
Report Stadium: Petar Miloševski Training Centre
Romania  v  Kosovo
5 September UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Romania  0–0  Kosovo Iași, Romania
17:30 Report Stadium: Emil Alexandrescu Stadium
Attendance: 8,565
Referee: Mehmet Türkmen (Turkey)
Kosovo  v  Spain
9 September UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  1–3  Spain Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 A. Hasani 22' Report
  • Roca 11'
  • Bravo 70'
  • Niño 90+5'
 Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Martin Matoša (Slovenia)
Kosovo  v  San Marino
14 October UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  7–0  San Marino Pristina, Kosovo
18:00
  • Bujupi 11'
  • Frokaj 16', 84'
  • Berisha 20', 60'
  • L. Jashari 63'
  • Selmonaj 75'
 Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 602
Referee: Jasmin Šabotić (Luxembourg)
Cyprus  v  Kosovo
14 November UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Cyprus  0–4  Kosovo Dasaki Achnas, Cyprus
18:00 Report
  • Bujupi 16', 61'
  • Frokaj 45+4' (pen.)
  • Shala 90+1'
 Stadium: Dasaki Stadium
Referee: Mateo Erceg (Croatia)
Finland  v  Kosovo
18 November UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Finland  0–0  Kosovo Turku, Finland
Report Stadium: Kupittaa Stadium
Referee: David Šmajc (Slovenia)

2026

Kosovo  v  Romania
27 March UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  v  Romania Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Spain  v  Kosovo
31 March UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Spain  v  Kosovo Spain
Report
San Marino  v  Kosovo
25 September UEFA Euro 2027 qualification San Marino  v  Kosovo Serravalle, San Marino
Report Stadium: San Marino Stadium
Kosovo  v  Cyprus
30 September UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  v  Cyprus Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Kosovo  v  Finland
6 October UEFA Euro 2027 qualification Kosovo  v  Finland Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium

Players

Current squad

  • The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2027 qualification matches against Cyprus and Finland, on 14 and 18 November 2025.
  • Caps and goals are correct as of 18 November 2025, after the match against Finland, only matches as FIFA member 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 Laurent Seji (2004-05-22) 22 May 2004 (age 21) 7 0 Grasshoppers
12 1GK Altin Gjokaj (2005-11-11) 11 November 2005 (age 20) 4 0 Prishtina
16 1GK Miran Qela (2006-12-13) 13 December 2006 (age 19) 0 0 1860 Munich
2 2DF Altin Berisha (2005-05-03) 3 May 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Wil
4 2DF Julind Selmonaj (2004-11-05) 5 November 2004 (age 21) 8 1 Wil
5 2DF Indrit Mavraj (2006-01-23) 23 January 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Bari
13 2DF Leon Parduzi (2006-12-10) 10 December 2006 (age 19) 6 0 Holstein Kiel
15 2DF Lendrit Shala (2004-05-04) 4 May 2004 (age 21) 10 1 Lugano II
6 3MF Faton Ademi (vice-captain) (2006-05-19) 19 May 2006 (age 19) 6 0 Alemannia Aachen
8 3MF Hamza Muqaj (2005-10-03) 3 October 2005 (age 20) 8 0 Holstein Kiel
10 3MF Leon Frokaj (4th captain) (2005-04-23) 23 April 2005 (age 20) 11 4 Aarau
14 3MF Dren Zeqiri (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 (age 21) 2 0 Prishtina
17 3MF Arianit Hasani (2004-02-24) 24 February 2004 (age 21) 4 1 Llapi
18 3MF Lirim Jashari (2006-04-21) 21 April 2006 (age 19) 8 1 VfL Bochum
19 3MF Arjanit Fazlija (2005-02-05) 5 February 2005 (age 20) 7 1 Greuther Fürth II
20 3MF Dardan Morina (2005-10-14) 14 October 2005 (age 20) 3 0 Dukagjini
21 3MF Adem Imeri (2006-02-13) 13 February 2006 (age 19) 4 0 Greuther Fürth II
22 3MF Elvir Gashijan (2006-08-05) 5 August 2006 (age 19) 5 0 Llapi
7 4FW Igball Jashari (3rd captain) (2005-07-14) 14 July 2005 (age 20) 10 0 Drenica
9 4FW Hekuran Berisha (2005-10-03) 3 October 2005 (age 20) 9 2 Dinamo City
11 4FW Eliot Bujupi (captain) (2006-07-03) 3 July 2006 (age 19) 5 3 Westerlo
23 4FW Erion Sadriu (2004-08-14) 14 August 2004 (age 21) 6 0 Ferizaj

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 Eurolind Avdimetaj (2005-07-01) 1 July 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Suhareka v.  San Marino, 14 October 2025
GK Mustafë Abdullahu (2004-02-27) 27 February 2004 (age 21) 5 0 Besa Kavajë v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
GK Eron Isufi (2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Drita v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
GK Erion Avdija (2005-03-13) 13 March 2005 (age 20) 2 0 SpVgg Unterhaching v.  Moldova, 25 March 2025
DF Luan Lleshi (2006-01-14) 14 January 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Llapi v.  Cyprus, 14 November 2025PRE
DF Ledjan Sahitaj (2004-01-12) 12 January 2004 (age 21) 5 0 Winterthur v.  San Marino, 14 October 2025
DF Dejvid Kabashi (2006-08-06) 6 August 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Luzern U21 v.  Romania, 5 September 2025PRE
DF Leon Zeqiraj (2005-07-02) 2 July 2005 (age 20) 5 0 Unattached v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
DF Merlind Kodra (2005-06-06) 6 June 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Ballkani v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
DF Dion Dërmaku (2004-08-21) 21 August 2004 (age 21) 1 0 Bellinzona v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
DF Dren Dobruna (2005-07-29) 29 July 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Dayton Flyers v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
DF Argjend Miftari (2004-01-29) 29 January 2004 (age 21) 2 0 IF Karlstad v.  Moldova, 25 March 2025
DF Sead Ahmeti (2005-04-25) 25 April 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Langenthal v.  Moldova, 25 March 2025
DF Drini Miftari (2004-03-01) 1 March 2004 (age 21) 0 0 1. FC Kaiserslautern II v.  Turkey, 21 March 2025PRE
MF Edion Gashi (2006-01-22) 22 January 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Schalke 04 II v.  Cyprus, 14 November 2025PRE
MF Elvaris Suplja (2006-02-28) 28 February 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Cavese v.  San Marino, 14 October 2025
MF Laurent Xhylani (2004-09-23) 23 September 2004 (age 21) 5 0 Malisheva v.  Spain, 9 September 2025
MF Elion Jashari (2005-08-09) 9 August 2005 (age 20) 3 0 Bellinzona v.  Spain, 9 September 2025
MF Lorent Talla (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Rio Ave U23 v.  Spain, 9 September 2025
MF Blerton Isufi (2006-02-14) 14 February 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Moss v.  Spain, 9 September 2025
MF Diamant Lokaj (2005-01-24) 24 January 2005 (age 20) 2 0 SGV Freiberg v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
MF Arvanit Rexhaj (2004-09-20) 20 September 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Suhareka v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
MF Arlind Maloku (2004-06-01) 1 June 2004 (age 21) 2 0 Dečić v.  Moldova, 25 March 2025
FW Medin Gashi (2006-02-01) 1 February 2006 (age 19) 2 1 Gorica v.  Spain, 9 September 2025PRE
FW Kevin Krasniqi (2005-07-20) 20 July 2005 (age 20) 4 1 Langenthal v.  North Macedonia, 31 May 2025
FW Aulon Bitiqi (2004-01-27) 27 January 2004 (age 21) 3 1 Varbergs BoIS v.  Moldova, 25 March 2025
Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Competitive record

UEFA European 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. 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.

UEFA European Under-21 Championship record Qualification record
Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pos Pld W D L GF GA
1978 to 1992 Part of  SFR Yugoslavia Part of  SFR Yugoslavia
1994 to 1998 Part of  FR Yugoslavia Part of  FR Yugoslavia
2000 to 2007 Not a FIFA member, under UNMIK Not a FIFA member
2009 to 2015 Not a UEFA member
2017 Could not enter
2019 Did not qualify 5th 10 3 3 4 9 12
2021 5th 10 3 0 7 9 20
2023 4th 10 3 3 4 8 13
2025 4th 10 3 3 4 10 17
2027 To be determined To be determined
Total — 0/26 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 5/18 40 12 9 19 36 62

Non-FIFA Tournament

Kosovo U21 has so far only participated in one international tournament in Valais Youth Cup, a two-day international football tournament. In which they finished in fourth place. Their first match was against Ghana in which they lost.

Year Round Pos Pld W D L GF GA Squad
2013 Fourth place 4th 2 0 1 1 2 10 Squad
Total — 1/1 2 0 1 1 2 10 —

See also

Men's
Women's
  • National team
  • Under-19
  • Under-17

Notes and references

Notes

  1. There may be more matches or goals, as some data is missing, mainly from friendly matches.

References

  1. "Football Federation of Kosovo". Fédération Internationale de Football Association.
  2. "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
  3. "UEFA shqyrton në mars të vitit të ardhshëm anëtarësimin e Kosovës" [UEFA reviews in March next year Kosovo's membership] (in Albanian). Voice of America. 19 September 2015.
  4. "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017.
  5. "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian. 3 May 2016.
  6. "Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës" [Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 May 2016.
  7. "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
  8. "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.
  9. "UEFA e konfirmon: Kosova fiton tri pikë në tavolinë kundër Norvegjisë" [UEFA confirms: Kosovo wins three points on table against Norway] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 29 July 2017.
  10. "Fitore historike e Kosovës U21, e përmbys Norvegjinë në "Adem Jashari"" [Historic victory of Kosovo U21, overthrowing Norway in "Adem Jashari"] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 1 September 2017.
  11. "Kosova U21 në grup me Shqipërinë dhe Anglinë" [Kosovo U21 in a group with Albania and England] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 11 December 2018.
  12. "Kombëtarja U21 shënoi fitore në miqësoren kundër Turkmenistanit" [The national U21 team scored a victory in the friendly against Turkmenistan] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 24 March 2019.
  13. "Kombëtarja U21 fiton edhe në miqësoren kundër Maltës" [The national U21 team also wins in the friendly against Malta] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 26 March 2019.
  14. "Kosova U21 shkëlqen kundër Andorrës, fiton 4:0" [Kosovo U21 shines against Andorra, wins 4:0] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 6 June 2019.
  15. "Kosova U21 fiton dhe merr kreun, në 'Fadil Vokrri' dorëzohet edhe Turqia". 11 June 2019.
  16. "Me në fund, Kosova U21 fiton pas disa humbjeve radhazi".
  17. "Albania-Kosovo | Under-21 2021".
  18. "Kosova U21 i përfundon me humbje kualifikimet për Euro 2021 - Gazeta Express". 17 November 2020.
  19. Besnik Dizdari (18 November 2015). "Kosova A – "Kosova B" 2–2 ose Kosova – Shqipëria 30–6!" [Kosovo A – "Kosovo B" 2–2 or Kosovo – Albania 30–6!] (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  20. "Nënshkruhet marrëveshja mes FFK-së dhe 'Kelme' për fanellat e Përfaqësueses së Kosovës (Foto/Video)" [Signed the agreement between FFK and 'Kelme' for the kits of Kosovo national football team (Photo/Video)] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 5 October 2016. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  21. "FFK lidh marrëveshje me kompaninë e veshjeve sportive 'ERREA'" [FFK signs an agreement with the sportswear company 'ERREA'] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 23 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  22. "Tovërlani publikon listën e Dardanëve U21" [Tovërlani publishes the list of Dardanians U21] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 8 November 2025.
  23. "Finland vs Kosovo". UEFA. 18 November 2025.
  24. "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
  25. "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.

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