Albania national under-17 football team
| Nickname(s) | Kuq e Zinjtë (The Red and Blacks) Shqiponjat (The Eagles) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit (FSHF) | |||
| Confederation | UEFA | |||
| Head coach | Fatjon Tafaj | |||
| Captain | Gabriel Kulla | |||
| Most caps | Adi Kurti 16[1] | |||
| Top scorer | Gabriel Kulla 8[2] | |||
| Home stadium | Elbasan Arena Loro Boriçi Stadium | |||
| FIFA code | ALB | |||
| ||||
| First international | ||||
| Croatia 4–0 (Vác, Hungary; 24 September 2001) | ||||
| Biggest win | ||||
| Liechtenstein 0–6 (Tatabánya, Hungary; 23 October 2012) | ||||
| Biggest defeat | ||||
| 0–7 Belarus (Riihimäki, Finland; 25 September 2008) | ||||
| UEFA European Under-17 Championship | ||||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2025) | |||
| Best result | TBD (2025) | |||
| FIFA U-17 World Cup | ||||
| Appearances | 0 | |||
| Best result | – | |||
The Albania national under-17 football team represents Albania in international football at this age level in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, as well as any other under-17 international football tournaments. It is controlled by Albanian Football Association, the governing body for football in Albania.
Albania U17 has never qualified in an Under-17 major tournament, managing four times, their first Elite Round came in 2003 the "elite round" twice in 2012, 2014 under the coach Džemal Mustedanagić in both cases and nine years later in 2023. Despite not Qualifying in the past Albania U17 will host the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, which will be held in Tirana – capital city of the country.[3]
History
Before 2002, the event was classified as a U-16 tournament.
Champions Runners-up Third place Tournament played fully or partially on home soil
| UEFA European Under-17 Championship record | UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification record | Manager(s) | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |||
| 2002 | did not qualify[4] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 11 | Ilir Spahiu | |||||||||
| 2003 | did not qualify[5] | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | Spahiu | |||||||||
| 2004 | did not qualify[6] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | Spahiu | |||||||||
| 2005 | did not qualify[7] | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | Spahiu | |||||||||
| 2006 | did not qualify[8] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | Ramadan Shehu | |||||||||
| 2007 | did not qualify[9] | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Shpëtim Duro | |||||||||
| 2008 | did not qualify[10] | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 | Duro | |||||||||
| 2009 | did not qualify[11] | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14 | Ardian Mema | |||||||||
| 2010 | did not qualify[12] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | Mema | |||||||||
| 2011 | did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | Džemal Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2012 | did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 11 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2013 | did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2014 | did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2015 | did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2016 | did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2017 | did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2018 | did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| 2019 | did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | Mustedanagić | |||||||||
| |
Tournament was cancelled | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | Elvin Beqiri | |||||||||
| |
Tournament was cancelled | Tournament was cancelled | Ervin Bulku | ||||||||||||||
| 2022 | did not qualify | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | Bulku | |||||||||
| 2023 | did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | Bulku | |||||||||
| 2024 | did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 9 | Ardi Behari | |||||||||
| 2025 | Group | 4th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | Andrea Tedesco | ||
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
| Total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 83 | 14 | 15 | 54 | 75 | 187 | |||||
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Recent results
| 18 April 2024 Friendly | Slovenia | 1–2 | Ajdovščina | |
| Videnović 21' | Report | Kulla 41', 72' | Stadium: Ajdovščina Stadium |
| 22 May 2024 Friendly | Montenegro | 3–1 | Podgorica | |
| 11:45 | Vukoje 14' Anđelić 77' Gjokaj 80' |
Report | Kulla 69' | Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium Referee: Miloš Bešović (Montenegro) |
| 24 May 2024 Friendly | 0–0 | Montenegro | Shkodër | |
| 2:30 | Report | Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium |
| 17 June 2024 Friendly | 1–1 | Azerbaijan | Rrogozhinë | |
| Gecaj 71' | Report | Qazibəyov 13' | Stadium: Egnatia Arena |
| 19 June 2024 Friendly | 4–1 | Azerbaijan | Rrogozhinë | |
| Mihana 7', 27' Kulla 61', 77' |
Report | İbrahim 70' | Stadium: Egnatia Arena |
| 4 September 2024 Friendly | 3–1 | Luxembourg | Vorë | |
| Gecaj 28' Kulla 45', 83' (pen.) |
Report | Duarte 65' | Stadium: Stadiumi Vora |
| 6 September 2024 Friendly | 0–3 | Luxembourg | Tirana | |
| Report | Polfer 44', 51' Rodrigues 56' |
Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit |
| 9 October 2024 2025 UEFA Q | 1–1 | Croatia | Tirana | |
| Kulla 66' | Report | Kurti 28' (o.g.) | Stadium: Air Albania Stadium Referee: Zorbay Küçük (Türkiye) |
| 12 October 2024 2025 UEFA Q | Netherlands | 5–0 | Tirana | |
| Wijks 11' Ünüvar 21' Ouarghi 59' Nash 81' Beerens 84' |
Report | Stadium: Air Albania Stadium Referee: Lukasz Kuzma (Poland) |
| 15 October 2024 2025 UEFA Q | Faroe Islands | 0–1 | Rrogozhinë | |
| Report | Kulla 57' | Stadium: Egnatia Arena Referee: Matthew MacDermid (Scotland) |
| 15 November 2024 Friendly | 3–2 | Poland | Tirana | |
| Kulla 53', 66' Vogli 79' |
Report | Kaczowka 44', 55' | Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit |
| 18 November 2024 Friendly | 0–4 | Poland | Tirana | |
| Report | Kaczowka 55' Śledziński 78', 90' Falkiewicz 87' |
Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit |
| 19 March 2025 2025 UEFA Q | Azerbaijan | 1–4 | Elbasan | |
| 15:00 | Rzayev 47' | Report | Gjoka 7', 53', 64' Kulla 76' |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Jérémy Muller (Luxembourg) |
| 25 March 2025 2025 UEFA Q | 1–2 | Wales | Tirana | |
| 15:00 | Myrtaj 20' | Report | Grainger 63', 76' | Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit Referee: Igor Bosca (Moldova) |
| 19 May 2025 2025 UEFA | 0–4 | Portugal | Tirana | |
| 18:00 | Report | Quintas 36' Mide 68' (pen.) Cabral 81' Soares 90+2' |
Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Referee: Patrik Kolarić (Croatia) |
| 22 May 2025 2025 UEFA | 0–4 | Germany | Elbasan | |
| 18:00 | Report | Mensah 7' Staff 20' Mike 66' Oteng-Mensah 85' (pen.) |
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Kamal Umudlu (Azerbaijan) |
| 25 May 2025 2025 UEFA | France | 4–0 | Elbasan | |
| 20:30 | Malonga 33' Coulibaly 51' N'Guessan 66', 79' |
Report | Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Oleksiy Derevinskyi (Ukraine) |
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship matches.[13]
- Match dates: 19 May 2025–1 June 2025
- Opposition: Portugal, Germany, France
- Caps and goals correct as of: 25 March 2025, after the match against France
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Raffaele Huli | 30 July 2008 | 10 | 0 | Juventus U17 |
| 12 | GK | Daniel Çuli | 24 October 2008 | 5 | 0 | Ternana U17 |
| 2 | DF | Darli Kurti | 20 September 2008 | 17 | 0 | Genoa U17 |
| 3 | DF | Kris Gecaj (captain) | 14 November 2008 | 22 | 3 | Juventus U17 |
| 5 | DF | Lucas Çekrezi | 5 March 2008 | 14 | 0 | Torino U17 |
| 6 | DF | Fabjano Nuhaj | 6 April 2008 | 19 | 0 | Olympiacos U17 |
| 13 | DF | Fabian Hallidri | 3 July 2008 | 4 | 0 | Hellas Verona U17 |
| 16 | DF | Leon Sylejmani | 30 May 2008 | 3 | 0 | Servette U19 |
| 17 | DF | Hassan Haradini | 1 January 2008 | 4 | 0 | Rot-Weiss Essen U17 |
| 4 | MF | Andreas Llana | 26 January 2008 | 14 | 0 | Olympiacos U17 |
| 7 | MF | Rikardo Sheji | 5 March 2008 | 14 | 0 | Torino U17 |
| 8 | MF | Evangjelos Gjoka | 26 July 2008 | 8 | 3 | PAOK U17 |
| 10 | MF | Alen Vukaj | 22 January 2008 | 8 | 0 | Inter U17 |
| 14 | MF | Dijar Ferati | 24 September 2008 | 7 | 0 | Rio Ave U23 |
| 15 | MF | Alex Ramku | 20 May 2008 | 9 | 0 | Udinese U17 |
| 20 | MF | Enis Rexhepi | 12 March 2008 | 7 | 0 | Stuttgart U17 |
| 9 | FW | Gabriel Kulla | 20 February 2008 | 16 | 12 | Sassuolo U17 |
| 11 | FW | Arman Durmishi | 25 June 2008 | 6 | 0 | Juventus U17 |
| 18 | FW | Dajan Durmishi | 25 June 2008 | 2 | 0 | Juventus U17 |
| 19 | FW | Leon Myrtaj | 24 March 2008 | 7 | 1 | Tottenham U18 |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up last 12 months and are still eligible to represent the under-17 side:
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Erno Mustafa | 23 October 2008 | 2 | 0 | Partizani U19 | v. Wales, 25 March 2025 |
| GK | Klevi Hasa | 22 September 2008 | 0 | 0 | Tirana U17 | v. Montenegro, 24 May 2024 |
| DF | Spasian Nasto | 4 June 2008 | 5 | 0 | Skënderbeu U19 | v. Wales, 25 March 2025 |
| DF | Henri Sinani | 24 September 2008 | 0 | 0 | Tirana U17 | v. Wales, 25 March 2025 |
| DF | Robin Balla | 20 May 2009 | 1 | 0 | Partizani U17 | v. Poland, 18 November 2024 |
| DF | Spasian Nasto | 4 June 2008 | 5 | 0 | Skënderbeu U19 | v. Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Kristian Agolli | 8 August 2008 | 0 | 0 | Skënderbeu U17 | v. Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Elio Gjoshi | 1 July 2008 | 1 | 0 | Tirana U17 | v. Luxembourg, 6 September 2024 |
| DF | Dion Vata | 25 February 2009 | 0 | 0 | Partizani U17 | v. Luxembourg, 6 September 2024 |
| DF | Alerio Kola | 4 March 2008 | 1 | 0 | Shënkolli U17 | v. Azerbaijan, 19 June 2024 |
| DF | Kleo Lika | 2 August 2008 | 1 | 0 | Tirana U17 | v. Azerbaijan, 19 June 2024 |
| DF | Frensi Mali | 29 April 2009 | 2 | 0 | Partizani U17 | v. Montenegro, 24 May 2024 |
| DF | Rikardo Smajlaj | 1 January 2008 | 1 | 0 | Pontedera | v. Montenegro, 24 May 2024 |
| MF | Serxho Vogli | 21 March 2008 | 11 | 1 | Tirana U19 | 2025 UEFA European Under-17 ChampionshipPRE |
| MF | Ernesto Marqeshi | 7 January 2008 | 9 | 0 | Tirana U19 | 2025 UEFA European Under-17 ChampionshipPRE |
| MF | Eros Ndreçka | 1 January 2008 | 2 | 0 | Mantova U17 | 2025 UEFA European Under-17 ChampionshipPRE |
| MF | Alesio Marku | 9 February 2008 | 0 | 0 | Dinamo City U17 | v. Poland, 18 November 2024 |
| MF | Arian Gavelli | 30 May 2008 | 5 | 0 | L'Hospitalet U17 | v. Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Amer Kthupi | 16 March 2008 | 3 | 0 | Vllaznia U17 | v. Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Leo Begolli | 15 February 2008 | 3 | 0 | Reggiana U17 | v. Azerbaijan, 19 June 2024 |
| MF | Othonas Karo | 1 January 2008 | 1 | 0 | PAOK U17 | v. Montenegro, 24 May 2024 |
| FW | Emiljano Mihana | 18 March 2008 | 15 | 2 | Tirana | v. Wales, 25 March 2025 |
| FW | Mateo Deda | 7 December 2008 | 0 | 0 | Tirana U19 | v. Wales, 25 March 2025 |
| FW | Flavio Shkëmbi | 17 September 2008 | 6 | 0 | Skënderbeu U19 | v. Poland, 18 November 2024 |
| FW | Gisel Lleshaj | 24 April 2008 | 0 | 0 | Sant Andreu U17 | v. Poland, 18 November 2024 |
| FW | Serxho Prendi | 29 March 2008 | 1 | 0 | Tirana U17 | v. Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024 |
| FW | Aurel Prendi | 1 January 2008 | 1 | 0 | Bashkimi | v. Azerbaijan, 19 June 2024 |
| FW | Jordan Kinnavong Luma | 10 January 2008 | 3 | 0 | Köln U17 | v. Montenegro, 24 May 2024 |
- Notes
- PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff:[14]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head Coach | Fatjon Tafaj |
| Assistant Coach | Fatjon Muhameti |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Florian Ristani |
| Team doctor | Theodhor Mile |
| Physiotherapists | Roxhens Tomorri |
| Athletic preparator | Lorin Xhaferaj |
| Videoanalystic | Luis Hysaj |
| Team manager | David Grudaj |
See also
- Albania national football team
- Albania national under-23 football team
- Albania national under-21 football team
- Albania national under-20 football team
- Albania national under-19 football team
- Albania national under-18 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
- UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
References
- ^ "Adi Kurti". BeSoccer.
- ^ "Gabriel Kulla". BeSoccer.
- ^ https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/kampionati-europian-u17-do-te-mbahet-ne-tirane-rama-gjera-te-paimagjinueshme-vite-me-pare
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2002 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2003 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2004 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2005 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2006 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2007 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2008 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2009 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "U-17 Euro Qualification 2010 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
- ^ "Kampionati Europian U-17 2025, Shqipëria shpall listën zyrtare me 20 lojtarë" (in Albanian). Panorama Sport. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Kombëtarja U-17". FSHF.org. Retrieved 28 March 2023.