Albania national under-19 football team

Albania Under-19
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
 Albania 1–8 Netherlands 
(Capbreton, France; 10 November 2001)
Biggest win
 Albania 4–0 Malta 
(Seitenstetten, Austria; 10 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
 France 9–0 Albania 
(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
2002 did not qualify 3 0 1 2 2 14 Petrit Haxhia
2003 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 16 Haxhia
2004 did not qualify 3 0 1 2 1 3 Haxhia
2005 did not qualify 6 2 1 3 7 14 Haxhia
2006 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 2 8 Haxhia
2007 did not qualify 3 2 0 1 5 4 Ramadan Shehu
2008 did not qualify 6 1 2 3 4 9 Shehu
2009 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 10 Shehu
2010 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 4 8 Nevil Dede
2011 did not qualify 3 0 1 2 1 8 Shehu
2012 did not qualify 3 1 1 1 4 1 Skënder Gega
2013 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 3 6 Foto Strakosha
2014 did not qualify 3 0 2 1 2 3 Strakosha
2015 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 2 7 Altin Lala
2016 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 3 8 Arjan Bellaj
2017 did not qualify 3 1 0 2 3 4 Bellaj
2018 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 9 Erjon Bogdani
2019 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 0 5 Bogdani
2020 Tournament was cancelled 3 0 0 3 4 11 Dede
2021 Tournament was cancelled Tournament was cancelled Armando Cungu
2022 did not qualify 3 1 1 1 5 7 Cungu
2023 did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 8 Cungu
2024 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 1 6 Ervin Bulku
2025 did not qualify 3 0 0 3 0 8 Julian Ahmataj
2026 did not qualify 3 0 1 2 0 4 Ahmataj
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
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  Albania Ta' Qali
19:30 Report Prendi 49' Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Slawomir Olucha (Malta)
22 March 2024 (2024-03-22) Friendly Malta  2–2  Albania 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 Albania  2–0  Kosovo Rrogozhinë
18:00 Sulejmani 6', 9' Report Stadium: Egnatia Arena
8 June 2024 (2024-06-08) Friendly Albania  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  Albania 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 Albania  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  Albania Riyadh
17:00 Sabra 22', 76'
Al-Khob 90+2'
Report Stadium: King Fahd
9 August 2024 (2024-08-09) Friendly Albania  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 Albania  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  Albania Riva
Usluoğlu 53' Report Stadium: TFF Riva Facility
8 September 2024 (2024-09-08) Friendly Turkey  1–0  Albania Riva
Ünyay 84' Report Stadium: TFF Riva Facility
11 October 2024 (2024-10-11) Friendly Montenegro  2–3  Albania Tuz
Perović 43'
Vukanić 77'
Report Hasani 30'
Vraniçi 47'
Nuredini 60'
Stadium: Stadiumi Tushko Pole
13 October 2024 (2024-10-13) Friendly Albania  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  Albania 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  Albania Elbasan
Jensen 37' Report Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Referee: Joonas Jaanovits (Estonia)
19 November 2024 (2024-11-19) 2025 UEFA Q Albania  0–1  Northern Ireland Elbasan
Report Graham 88' Stadium: Elbasan Arena
Referee: Joonas Jaanovits (Estonia)
21 March 2025 (2025-03-21) Friendly Albania  0–0  North Macedonia Korçë
Report Stadium: Skënderbeu Stadium
23 March 2025 (2025-03-23) Friendly Albania  1–0  North Macedonia Korçë
L. Krasniqi 73' Report Stadium: Skënderbeu Stadium
6 June 2025 (2025-06-06) Friendly Bulgaria  0–0  Albania Etropole
Report Stadium: Chavdar Stadium
9 June 2025 (2025-06-09) Friendly Bulgaria  2–2  Albania Etropole
Idriz 10'
Todorov 90+2'
Report Nuredini 9'
Hoxha 69'
Stadium: Chavdar Stadium
5 August 2025 (2025-08-05) Friendly Italy  4–1  Albania 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  1–1  Albania Novara
Orlandi 28' Report Dashi 60' Stadium: Novarello Sporting Center
4 September 2025 (2025-09-04) Friendly Albania  0–1  Moldova Tirana
Report Tonica 42' Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit
8 September 2025 (2025-09-08) Friendly Albania  0–1  Kosovo Tirana
Report Llumnica 74' Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit
10 October 2025 (2025-10-10) Friendly Albania  2–1  Republic of Ireland Tirana
Huqi 36'
Nuredini 87' (pen.)
Report O’Sullivan 76' Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit
12 October 2025 (2025-10-12) Friendly Albania  2–2  Republic of Ireland Luz i Vogël
Nuredini 62'
Kulla 69'
Report Mare 52'
Otegabayo 90+2'
Stadium: Luz i Vogël Stadium
12 November 2025 (2025-11-12) 2026 UEFA Q Ukraine  3–0  Albania Durrës
  • Redushko 34'
    Popov 74'
    Kamenskyi 88'
Report Stadium: Niko Dovana Stadium
Referee: Joakim Östling (Sweden)
15 November 2025 (2025-11-15) 2026 UEFA Q Slovakia  0–0  Albania Durrës
Report Stadium: Niko Dovana Stadium
Referee: Joakim Östling (Sweden)
18 November 2025 (2025-11-18) 2026 UEFA Q Albania  0–1  Montenegro Durrës
Report Jovanović 78' Stadium: Niko Dovana Stadium
Referee: Matthias Jöllenbeck (Germany)
25 March 2026 (2026-03-25) 2027 UEFA Q Norway  v  Albania
28 March 2026 (2026-03-28) 2027 UEFA Q Malta  v  Albania
31 March 2026 (2026-03-31) 2027 UEFA Q Albania  v  Luxembourg

Players

Current squad

  • The following players were called up for the friendly matches.[1]
  • Match dates: 12–18 November 2025
  • Opposition:  Ukraine,  Slovakia,  Montenegro
  • Caps and goals correct as of: 18 November 2025, after the match against Montenegro
  • 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 7 0 Inter U20
1GK Raffaele Huli (2008-07-30) 30 July 2008 4 0 Juventus U20

2DF Samuele Sina (2007-02-14) 14 February 2007 15 0 Ospitaletto
2DF Yoni El Malem Beshaj (2007-07-01) 1 July 2007 12 0 Hapoel Be'er Sheva U19
2DF Davide Avdullari (2007-01-13) 13 January 2007 10 0 Mestre
2DF Rikardo Sheji (2008-03-05) 5 March 2008 7 0 Torino U18
2DF Leon Sylejmani (2008-05-30) 30 May 2008 7 0 Servette U19
2DF Kris Gecaj (2008-11-14) 14 November 2008 5 0 Genoa U20
2DF Lucas Çekrezi (2008-03-05) 5 March 2008 4 0 Torino U18
2DF Ramiz Ndoj (2007-02-13) 13 February 2007 0 0 Teuta U19

3MF Ergis Arifi (2007-01-11) 11 January 2007 19 0 Teuta
3MF Mattia Huqi (2007-06-21) 21 June 2007 16 2 Empoli U20
3MF Matteo Dashi (2007-01-22) 22 January 2007 6 1 Crystal Palace U21
3MF Serxho Vogli (2008-03-21) 21 March 2008 5 0 Tirana
3MF Bjorni Duka (2007-10-14) 14 October 2007 4 0 Dinamo City U19
3MF Oliver Blini (2008-01-10) 10 January 2008 2 0 Empoli U20

4FW Tedi Malaj (2007-07-02) 2 July 2007 13 3 Partizani
4FW Briajan Gjyla (2007-07-26) 26 July 2007 11 0 Sassuolo U20
4FW Gabriel Kulla (2008-02-20) 20 February 2008 7 1 Sassuolo U20
4FW Arman Durmishi (2008-06-25) 25 June 2008 3 0 Juventus U20

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 Daniel Çuli (2008-10-24) 24 October 2008 6 0 Verona U18 v.  Republic of Ireland, 15 October 2025
GK Darius Zadeja (2007-05-07) 7 May 2007 0 0 Partizani U19 v.  Kosovo, 8 September 2025
GK Etem Xhemali (2007-02-01) 1 February 2007 0 0 Apolonia U19 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
GK Amarildo Dervishaj (2006-04-08) 8 April 2006 7 0 Skënderbeu v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
GK Aizak Babe (2006-09-05) 5 September 2006 0 0 Tirana U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024

DF Fabjano Nuhaj (2008-04-06) 6 April 2008 2 0 Olympiacos U19 v.  Republic of Ireland, 15 October 2025
DF Xhesild Kapllanaj (2007-02-21) 21 February 2007 1 0 Vllaznia U19 v.  Republic of Ireland, 15 October 2025
DF Kleo Shpuza (2007-01-07) 7 January 2007 15 0 Lazio U20 v.  Kosovo, 8 September 2025
DF Ardi Mulaj (2007-01-11) 11 January 2007 6 0 St. Kickers U19 v.  Kosovo, 8 September 2025
DF Samuel Xhafkollari (2007-09-15) 15 September 2007 0 0 Teuta U19 v.  Kosovo, 8 September 2025
DF Diart Gashi (2008-02-03) 3 February 2008 4 0 Hertha BSC U19 v.  Italy, 7 August 2025
DF Rinaldo Nela (2007-01-20) 20 January 2007 3 0 Fasano v.  Italy, 7 August 2025
DF Murselo Dervishi (2007-01-18) 18 January 2007 0 0 Tirana U19 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
DF Enea Elmazi (2007-05-12) 12 May 2007 0 0 Cumberland Phoenix v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
DF Adi Kurti (2006-01-17) 17 January 2006 19 1 Hellas Verona U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024U21
DF Antonis Dama (2006-01-19) 19 January 2006 11 0 Olympiacos B v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Denis Prendi (2006-08-06) 6 August 2006 10 1 Cremonese U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Ernesto Bakiu (2006-01-15) 15 January 2006 5 0 Teuta U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
DF Rajmond Marinaj (2006-11-23) 23 November 2006 2 0 Vora v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024

MF Leart Krasniqi (2007-12-05) 5 December 2007 10 1 BP U19 v.  Republic of Ireland, 15 October 2025
MF Andreas Llana (2008-01-26) 26 January 2008 3 0 Olympiacos U19 v.  Republic of Ireland, 15 October 2025
MF Evagjelos Gjoka (2008-07-26) 26 July 2008 2 0 PAOK U19 v.  Republic of Ireland, 15 October 2025
MF Besalet Krasniqi (2007-05-30) 30 May 2007 7 1 Bologna U20 v.  Kosovo, 8 September 2025
MF Altin Lataj (2007-05-18) 18 May 2007 2 0 HIF U19 v.  Italy, 7 August 2025
MF Ernesto Marqeshi (2008-01-07) 7 January 2008 0 0 Tirana U19 v.  Italy, 7 August 2025
MF Artan Latifi (2007-05-09) 9 May 2007 2 0 Mainz 05 U19 v.  Bulgaria, 9 June 2025
MF Ron Isa (2007-04-20) 20 April 2007 2 0 Young Boys U21 v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
MF Dean Vraniçi (2006-01-02) 2 January 2006 19 1 Parma U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Jordi Jaku (2006-03-27) 27 March 2006 17 1 Bologna U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Frederik Tosku (2006-02-05) 5 February 2006 13 3 Cesena U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Glenis Belloj (2006-05-30) 30 May 2006 9 1 Elbasani U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Klaus Kashari (2006-10-11) 11 October 2006 6 0 Vora v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
MF Kledi Marinaj (2006-03-07) 7 March 2006 4 0 Lazio U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024

FW Xheto Joi Nuredini (2007-08-05) 5 August 2007 12 4 Genoa U20 v.  Republic of Ireland, 15 October 2025
FW Deivid Hoxha (2007-01-20) 20 January 2007 4 1 Panetolikos v.  Italy, 7 August 2025
FW Ledjon Fikaj (2007-03-05) 5 March 2007 1 0 CZ Jena U19 v.  Bulgaria, 9 June 2025
FW Oresti Rifa (2007-02-08) 8 February 2007 2 0 Partizani v.  North Macedonia, 23 March 2025
FW Flavio Sulejmani (2006-03-20) 20 March 2006 21 7 Lazio U20 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
FW Rron Hasani (2006-01-31) 31 January 2006 12 2 Viktoria Berlin v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
FW Ersi Bode (2006-02-14) 14 February 2006 9 0 ADO U21 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
FW Elmorin Deda (2006-02-05) 5 February 2006 0 0 Tirana U19 v.  Northern Ireland, 19 November 2024
Notes
  • U21 = Was called up from national under-21 squad.

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff:[2]

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

See also

References

  1. ^ "Shqipëria U-19 nis sot grumbullimin për dy miqësoret ndaj Irlandës, trajneri Ahmataj fton 21 futbollistë" (in Albanian). Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit. Retrieved 6 October 2025.
  2. ^ Kombëtarja U-19 (Albania national under-19 team) FSHF.org