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Albania women's national football team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the women's team. For the men's team, see Albania national football team.

Albania
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Kuqezinjtë (The Red and Blacks)
AssociationFederata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachArmir Grima
CaptainAlbina Rrahmani
Most capsSara Maliqi (58)[1]
Top scorerMegi Doçi (12)
Home stadiumArena Kombëtare
FIFA codeALB
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 73 Steady (13 December 2024)[2]
Highest59 (December 2013)
Lowest81 (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)

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.

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

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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

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Kits and crest

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Kit suppliers

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Kit provider Period
Italy Legea 2011
Germany Adidas 2011–2016
Italy Macron 2016–present

Home stadium

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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

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Main article: Albania women's national football team results

This Is the schedule of past & upcoming games for the Albania women's football team.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2024

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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)
25 October UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Albania  0–5  Norway Shkodër, Albania
16:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium
Attendance: 2,185
Referee: Ana Maria Terteleac (Romania)
29 October UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying play-offs Norway  9–0  Albania Oslo, Norway
19:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Ullevaal Stadion
3rd December Friendly Romania  1-2  Albania Târgoviște, Romania
18:00 Carp 43'
Stadium: Eugen Popescu Stadium

Coaching staff

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Current coaching staff

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Position Name Ref.
Head coach AlbaniaArmir Grima

Manager history

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Players

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Main article: List of Albania women's international footballers
See also: Category:Albania women's international footballers

Current squad

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No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals
1 1GK Viona Rexhepi (1996-07-24) 24 July 1996 (age 28) 27 0
12 1GK Antigoni Hyska (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 21) 4 0
12 1GK Rajmonda Spahija
13 2DF Leonora Dedgjonaj (1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 25) 2 0
2 2DF Armera Tukaj (2001-05-25) 25 May 2001 (age 23) 10 0
3 2DF Arbenita Curraj (1996-07-28) 28 July 1996 (age 28) 25 0
3MF Endrina Elezaj (1997-01-12) 12 January 1997 (age 27) 2 0
12 2DF Kristina Hoxhaj
2DF Aglia Iliadhi (2004-11-30) 30 November 2004 (age 20) 2 0
8 3MF Eriola Delija
21 3MF Alma Hila (2000-02-02) 2 February 2000 (age 24) 25 0
14 3MF Ezmiralda Franja (1997-02-04) 4 February 1997 (age 27) 39 0
18 2DF Xhesika Ndoj (2007-07-20) 20 July 2007 (age 17) 0 0
15 3MF Gresa Berisha (1998-04-26) 26 April 1998 (age 26) 14 0
3MF Klea Hamonikaj (2003-05-28) 28 May 2003 (age 21) 0 0
3MF Mikaela Metalla (2002-10-22) 22 October 2002 (age 22) 14 0
4FW Djellza Istrefaj (2000-05-29) 29 May 2000 (age 24) 2 1
17 4FW Kristina Maksuti (1993-02-06) 6 February 1993 (age 31) 23 5
11 3MF Megi Doçi (captain) (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 28) 37 9
7 4FW Fortesa Berisha (2003-06-19) 19 June 2003 (age 21) 6 2
4FW Fiorentina Troka
10 4FW Qëndresa Krasniqi (1994-06-28) 28 June 1994 (age 30) 28 4

Recent call-ups

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  • 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 Latest call-up
GK Klesjana Spaho (2004-05-10) 10 May 2004 (age 20) 0 0 v.  Northern Ireland, 26 September 2023
DF Bora Fucia (2004-04-08) 8 April 2004 (age 20) 0 0 v.  Northern Ireland, 26 September 2023
DF Arbiona Bajraktari (1996-09-10) 10 September 1996 (age 28) 21 0 v.  Luxembourg, 4 June 2024
DF Sara Maliqi (1995-10-09) 9 October 1995 (age 29) 38 0 v.  Luxembourg, 4 June 2024
DF Luçije Gjini (1994-05-02) 2 May 1994 (age 30) 46 4 v.  Luxembourg, 4 June 2024
DF Matilda Gjergji (2003-05-21) 21 May 2003 (age 21) 12 0 v.  Luxembourg, 4 June 2024
MF Markela Bejleri (2001-05-28) 28 May 2001 (age 23) 3 0 v.  Estonia, 9 April 2024
MF Valentina Troka (2002-11-15) 15 November 2002 (age 22) 8 0 2024 Visit Malta Tournament
MF Stella Toma (2004-12-03) 3 December 2004 (age 20) 0 0 v.  Republic of Ireland, 31 October 2023
MF Jehona Coka (2005-03-05) 5 March 2005 (age 19) 0 0 v.  Northern Ireland, 26 September 2023
MF Vesa Paqarizi (2005-03-02) 2 March 2005 (age 19) 1 0 v.  Luxembourg, 4 June 2024
FW Mimoza Hamidi (1998-04-28) 28 April 1998 (age 26) 17 3 v.  Estonia, 9 April 2024
FW Klaudia Borci (2005-12-19) 19 December 2005 (age 18) 3 0 2024 Visit Malta Tournament
FW Maria Baska (2000-11-02) 2 November 2000 (age 24) 3 0 v.  Hungary, 5 December 2023
FW Esi Lufo (2001-09-10) 10 September 2001 (age 23) 9 1 v.  Luxembourg, 4 June 2024
FW Klesta Ago (2007-04-21) 21 April 2007 (age 17) 0 0 v.  Luxembourg, 4 June 2024

Records

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Individual

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See also: Category:Albania women's international footballers
As of 5 August 2021

*Active players in bold.

Competitive record

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FIFA Women's World Cup

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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
China 1991 Team did not exist Team did not exist
Sweden 1995
United States 1999
United States 2003
China 2007
Germany 2011
Canada 2015 Did not qualify 6/6 13 3 1 9 8 56 −48
France 2019 4/5 11 3 2 6 9 25 −16
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 4/6 10 3 1 6 14 30 −16
Brazil 2027 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/4 – – – – – – – Total 24 9 4 21 31 101 −70

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

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UEFA Women's Championship record Qualification record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD Position Pld W D* L GF GA GD P/R Rnk
1984 Team did not exist Team did not exist
Norway 1987
Germany 1989
Denmark 1991
Italy 1993
Germany 1995
Norway 1997
Germany 2001
England 2005
Finland 2009
Sweden 2013 Did not enter Did not enter
Netherlands 2017 Did not qualify 5/5 8 0 0 8 3 31 −28 –
England 2021 4/5 8 2 0 6 7 21 −14
Switzerland 2025 1/4 6 3 0 3 8 18 −10 Rise[a] 37th
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/5 – – – – – – – Total 22 5 0 17 18 70 −52 37th

UEFA Women's Nations League

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UEFA Women's Nations League record
Year League Group Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R Rnk
2023–24 B 1 4th 6 0 1 5 2 18 Fall 32nd
2025 B 4 To be determined
Total 6 0 1 5 2 18 32nd
Rise Promoted at end of season
Same position No movement at end of season
Fall Relegated at end of season
* Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

Head-to-head record

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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

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Notes

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  1. ^ From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Women's Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.

References

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  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Albania matches". Kirill. 16 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b c Fatjon Pandovski – Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) (6 May 2011). "Seranaj scores as Albania women make their debut". uefa.com.
  5. ^ Sue Prior. "Winning International debut for Liz". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Montenegro vs. Albania 2 – 4". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  7. ^ "Albania vs. Montenegro 4 – 3". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  8. ^ "Albania vs. Macedonia FYR 2 – 0". Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Δράμα -Αλβανία μέσα απο το φακό". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "Sport.albeu.com – UEFA "djeg" edhe "Ruzhdi Bizhutën" e "Niko Dovanën"". Archived from the original on 26 May 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  12. ^ Rraklli largohet nga stoli i Kombëtares së femrave, ja kush e zëvendëson
  13. ^ "EURO 2025 për vajza/ Trajneri Grima fton 23 futbolliste për sfidat me Norvegjinë, dy emra të rinj në skuadër & 7 rikthime" [-] (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association. 20 October 2024.
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