Albania women's national football team
The Albania women's national football team (Albanian: Kombëtarja e futbollit të femrave të Shqipërisë) represents the country of Albania in international football and is controlled by the Albanian Football Association which is headquartered in the city of Tirana. The team is affiliated with UEFA and competes in the two major professional tournaments, the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.
| Nickname(s) | Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF) | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Armir Grima | ||
| Captain | Albina Rrahmani | ||
| Most caps | Sara Maliqi (58)[1] | ||
| Top scorer | Megi Doçi (11) | ||
| Home stadium | Arena Kombëtare | ||
| FIFA code | ALB | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 73 (14 June 2024)[2] | ||
| Highest | 59 (December 2013) | ||
| Lowest | 81 (December 2015) | ||
| First international | |||
| Albania 1–0 Macedonia (Pogradec, Albania; 5 May 2011)[3] | |||
| Biggest win | |||
| Albania 5–0 Armenia (Tirana, Albania; 21 October 2021) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| Albania 0–11 Norway (Durrës, Albania; 13 September 2014) | |||
Women's football was long met with skepticism in Albania, and the first recorded tournament took place as late as 2007, before the FSHF formed the Albanian Women's National Championship in 2009, which is the only women's league in the country. The rise in popularity of the sport among women led to the formation of the Albania national team in 2011, and they made their debut in a friendly match against Macedonia that ended in a 1–0 win. The current head coach is Armir Grimaj, replacing Altin Rraklli who was in charge from the formation in 2011 until 2016.
History
The Albanian women's national football team was formed in 2011 and made their debut in a friendly against Macedonia FYR on 5 May 2011 at the Gjorgji Kyçyku Stadium.[4] The match ended 1–0 with Albania's first win and midfielder Aurora Seranaj scoring the first goal for Albania.[4] The national team ended the year with their second win against Macedonia FYR away in Struga. [5]
On 15 May 2012, Albania faced Montenegro in Bar and won 4–2. [6] Three days later, the Albanian team won again with a rematch against Montenegro, winning 4–3 at the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër. [7] On 22 May, Albania encountered Macedonia FYR again, winning 2–0 with 2 goals from Suada Jashari. [8] The national team had so far been undefeated in 5 games, with 15 goals scored, and 6 goals conceded. On 29 August, The Albania national team participated in an unofficial football tournament held in Drama. The national team drew 1–1 with Amazons Drama[9] and lost 0–3 to Greece.[10]
Team image
Home stadium
The Elbasan Arena is currently the national stadium of the Albania women's national football team. The first home match in the country was played in the Gjorgji Kyçyku Stadium of Pogradec in May 2011.[4] Following the completion, the National Arena in Tirana will be the home venue of both the men's and women's national team.
In November 2013, Qemal Stafa Stadium was shut down by FIFA for not fulfilling international standards.[11] During the period of friendly games and the Euro qualifier with Greece in 2015, the women's team used the Loni Papuçiu Stadium in Fier to hold their matches. The Qemal Stafa Stadium held the match between France and Albania on 27 November 2015.
Results and fixtures
This Is the schedule of past & upcoming games for the Albania women's football team.
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2023
| 23 September 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Albania | 1–1 | Hungary | Shkodër |
| 17:00 | Krasniqi 27' | Report | Fenyvesi 74' | Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium, Referee: Veronika Kovarova (Czech Republic) |
| 26 September 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Northern Ireland | 1–0 | Albania | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| --:-- | Wade 57' | Source | Stadium: Seaview Stadium Referee: Zulema González (Spain) |
| 27 October 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Republic of Ireland | 5–1 | Albania | Dublin |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Referee: Lizzy Van Der Helm (Netherlands) |
| 31 October 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Albania | 0–1 | Republic of Ireland | Shkodër, Albania |
| 18:00 | Report |
|
Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium Referee: Araksya Saribekyan (Armenia) |
| 1 December 2023 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Albania | 0–4 | Northern Ireland | Tirana |
| 17:00 | Report | Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Attendance: 600 Referee: Minka Vekkeli (Finland) |
| 5 December 2023 2023–24 UEFA Nations League | Hungary | 6–0 | Albania | Budapest |
| 19:00 | Report | Stadium: Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion Referee: Karoline Wacker (Germany) |
2024
| 22 February Visit Malta Women's Tournament 2024 | Albania | 0–3 | Belarus | Paola, Malta |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium |
| 25 February Visit Malta Women's Tournament 2024 | Albania | 3–0 | Faroe Islands | Paola, Malta |
|
Report | Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium |
| 5 April UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying | Luxembourg | 2–1 | Albania | Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg |
| --:-- UTC±0 | Report |
|
Stadium: Stade Emile Mayrisch Referee: Marina Zechner (Austria) |
| 9 April UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying | Albania | 2–0 | Estonia | Tirana |
| --:-- UTC±0 | Report | Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Referee: Anastasiya Romanyuk (Ukraine) |
| 31 May UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying | Estonia | 1–2 | Albania | Tallinn |
| 17:00 (18:00 UTC+3) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Lilleküla Stadium Attendance: 934 Referee: Tatyana Sorokopudova (Kazakhstan) |
| 4 June UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying | Albania | 3–1 | Luxembourg | Elbasan, Albania |
| --:-- UTC±0 | Report |
|
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Melek Dakan (Turkey) |
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Armir Grima |
Manager history
- Altin Rraklli (5 May 2011 – 22 April 2016)
- Armir Grimaj (22 April 2016–present)[12]
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying matches against Luxembourg and Estonia, on 31 May and 4 June 2024.[13]
- All caps and goals as of 9 April 2024 after match against Estonia.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Viona Rexhepi | 24 July 1996 | 27 | 0 | Mitrovica |
| 12 | GK | Antigona Hyska | 23 June 2003 | 4 | 0 | Apolonia Fier |
| 6 | DF | Sara Maliqi | 9 October 1995 | 38 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 3 | DF | Arbenita Curraj | 28 July 1996 | 25 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 19 | DF | Matilda Gjergji | 21 May 2003 | 12 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 16 | DF | Luçije Gjini | 2 May 1994 | 46 | 4 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 5 | DF | Arbiona Bajraktari | 10 September 1996 | 21 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 2 | DF | Armera Tukaj | 25 May 2001 | 10 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 4 | DF | Leonora Dedgjonaj | 14 September 1999 | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |
| 4 | DF | Xhesika Ndoj | 0 | |||
| 15 | MF | Gresa Berisha | 26 April 1998 | 14 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 14 | MF | Ezmiralda Franja | 4 February 1997 | 39 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
| 21 | MF | Alma Hila | 2 February 2000 | 25 | 0 | Como |
| 11 | MF | Megi Doçi (captain) | 14 October 1996 | 37 | 9 | Galatasaray |
| MF | Vesa Paqarizi | 2 March 2005 | 1 | 0 | Malisheva | |
| 4 | FW | Klesta Ago | 0 | |||
| 9 | FW | Fortesa Berisha | 19 June 2003 | 6 | 2 | Malisheva |
| 10 | FW | Qëndresa Krasniqi | 28 June 1994 | 28 | 4 | Basel |
| FW | Esi Lufo | 10 September 2001 | 9 | 1 | Rivers | |
| 17 | FW | Kristina Maksuti | 6 February 1993 | 23 | 5 | Famalicão |
Recent call-ups
- The following players have been called up for a squad within the last 12 months and are still available for selection.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Klesjana Spaho | 10 May 2004 | 0 | 0 | Partizani Tirana | v. Northern Ireland, 26 September 2023 |
| DF | Aglia Iliadhi | 30 November 2004 | 2 | 0 | Wacker Mecklenbeck | v. Northern Ireland, 26 September 2023 |
| DF | Bora Fucia | 8 April 2004 | 0 | 0 | Swift Hesperange | v. Northern Ireland, 26 September 2023 |
| MF | Valentina Troka | 15 November 2002 | 8 | 0 | Apolonia Fier | 2024 Visit Malta Tournament |
| MF | Endrina Elezaj | 12 January 1997 | 2 | 0 | Mitrovica | v. Hungary, 5 December 2023 |
| MF | Stella Toma | 3 December 2004 | 0 | 0 | Fiorentina U19 | v. Republic of Ireland, 31 October 2023 |
| MF | Jehona Coka | 5 March 2005 | 0 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër | v. Northern Ireland, 26 September 2023 |
| MF | Mikaela Metalla | 22 October 2002 | 14 | 0 | Partizani Tirana | v. Estonia, 9 April 2024 |
| MF | Markela Bejleri | 28 May 2001 | 3 | 0 | Länk FC Vilaverdense | v. Estonia, 9 April 2024 |
| MF | Klea Hamonikaj | 28 May 2003 | 0 | 0 | Apolonia Fier | v. Estonia, 9 April 2024 |
| FW | Klaudia Borci | 19 December 2005 | 3 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër | 2024 Visit Malta Tournament |
| FW | Djellza Istrefaj | 29 May 2000 | 2 | 1 | SV 67 Weinberg | 2024 Visit Malta Tournament |
| FW | Maria Baska | 2 November 2000 | 3 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër | v. Hungary, 5 December 2023 |
| FW | Mimoza Hamidi | 28 April 1998 | 17 | 3 | Basel | v. Estonia, 9 April 2024 |
Records
Individual
- As of 5 August 2021
*Active players in bold.
Most capped players
|
Top goalscorers
|
Competitive record
FIFA Women's World Cup
| FIFA Women's World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D * | L | GF | GA | GD | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 1991 | did not enter | did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1995 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | did not qualify | 6/6 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 56 | −48 | |||||||
| 2019 | 4/5 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 25 | −16 | ||||||||
| 2023 | 4/6 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 30 | −16 | ||||||||
| 2027 | to be determined | to be determined | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Total | 24 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 31 | 101 | −70 |
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Championship
| UEFA Women's Championship record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 1984 | did not enter | did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1987 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1989 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | did not qualify | 5/5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 31 | −28 | |||||||
| 2021 | 4/5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 21 | −14 | ||||||||
| 2025 | to be determined | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/11 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Total | 16 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 52 | −42 |
Head-to-head record
- As of 5 August 2021
| Opponent | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | −8 |
| Croatia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | −8 |
| Finland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 11 | −11 |
| France | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | −12 |
| Greece | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 12 | −6 |
| Hungary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | −6 |
| Kosovo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | −1 |
| Latvia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| Luxembourg | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
| North Macedonia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | +5 |
| Malta | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Montenegro | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 14 | −13 |
| Norway | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | −18 |
| Portugal | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | −10 |
| Poland | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | −3 |
| Romania | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 |
| Turkey | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Ukraine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | −6 |
| 19 Countries | 41 | 11 | 3 | 27 | 39 | 134 | −95 |
See also
- Sport in Albania
- Football in Albania
- Women's football in Albania
- Football in Albania
- Albania women's national football team
- Albania women's national football team results
- List of Albania women's international footballers
- Albania women's national under-19 football team
- Albania women's national under-17 football team
References
- "Mbrojtësja e Kombëtares Sara Maliqi tërhiqet nga futbolli i luajtur. FSHF e falënderon për kontributin në futbollin e vajzave". fshf.org (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- "Albania matches". Kirill. 16 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- Fatjon Pandovski – Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) (6 May 2011). "Seranaj scores as Albania women make their debut". uefa.com.
- Sue Prior. "Winning International debut for Liz". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- "Montenegro vs. Albania 2 – 4". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- "Albania vs. Montenegro 4 – 3". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- "Albania vs. Macedonia FYR 2 – 0". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- "Δράμα -Αλβανία μέσα απο το φακό". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- "Αυλαία στο τουρνουά της Δράμας (+photos)- Κόγγουλη "Καλό τεστ το τουρουά για την Εθνική"". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
- "Sport.albeu.com – UEFA "djeg" edhe "Ruzhdi Bizhutën" e "Niko Dovanën"". Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- Rraklli largohet nga stoli i Kombëtares së femrave, ja kush e zëvendëson
- "EURO "Zvicër 2025"/ Trajneri Grima fton 20 futbolliste, Shqipëria kërkon vendin e parë në grupin C5" [EURO "Switzerland 2025"/ Co] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 20 May 2024.