The Albania national football team has represented Albania in international association football since 1946. The Albanian Football Association (Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit; FSHF)[1] was founded in 1930 and became a member of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) two years later. However, the team did not play its first official international match until 7 October 1946, suffering a 2–3 defeat to Yugoslavia in the 1946 Balkan Cup.[2] In 1954, Albania was one of the founding members of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and continues to compete as a member of the organisation,[3] which encompasses the countries of Europe and Israel.[4] As of November 2022, Albania have played 366 international fixtures, winning 95, drawing 77 and losing 194. They have played more fixtures against Romania than any other national side, losing 13 of the 19 matches between the sides.[2] In global and continental competitions, the team has competed in qualification groups for both the FIFA World Cup, since 1966, and the UEFA European Championship, since 1964.[2] The team has qualified for one international tournament during its history, UEFA Euro 2016,[5] where they were eliminated in the group stage.[6] In minor competitions, the team won the 1946 Balkan Cup and the 2000 Malta International Football Tournament.[7][8]
As of January 2023, Albania's most capped player is Lorik Cana, who made 93 appearances for the senior team during his career.[9][10] He made his international debut in June 2003 in a 2–3 defeat against Switzerland and won his final cap in June 2016 in a 1–0 victory over Romania at UEFA Euro 2016,[9] retiring from international duty after the tournament.[11] The nation's leading goalscorer is Erjon Bogdani, who scored 18 times during his international career between 1996 and 2013.[12] Bogdani overtook the previous record holder, Alban Bushi,[13] in September 2011 after scoring in three consecutive international fixtures.[12] Bushi had claimed the record from Altin Rraklli in 2004.[13][14]
The first player to reach 25 caps for Albania was Panajot Pano,[14] who reached the total in April 1973 in a match against East Germany.[15] Pano was later named as his country's "golden player" by the FSHF during the UEFA Jubilee Awards in 2004 as Albania's "single most outstanding player".[16] Foto Strakosha is the most capped goalkeeper in the national team's history and held the overall cap record until 2011,[17] when his total was surpassed by Altin Lala.[18] The current holder, Lorik Cana, claimed the record in 2014.[9]
Appearances and goals are composed of FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship and each competition's required qualification matches, as well as UEFA Nations League matches and numerous international friendly tournaments and matches. Players are listed by number of caps. If the number of caps is equal, the players are then listed by time of debut. Statistics updated following match played on 19 November 2022.
Note: Albania played a friendly match against Kosovo on 13 November 2015,[19] before Kosovo became a member of FIFA or UEFA and is not recognised as an official match by either organisation but is recognised by the FSHF.[2] As such, the match is included from the totals in the table below and the '#1' symbol indicates which players appeared in the match.
Key | |
---|---|
* | Still active for the national team[a] |
= | Player is tied for the number of caps |
GK | Goalkeeper |
DF | Defender |
MF | Midfielder |
FW | Forward |
No. | Name | Position | National team career | Caps | Goals | Honours |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lorik Cana | DF | 2003–2016 | 93#1 | 1 | |
2 | Altin Lala | MF | 1998–2011 | 79 | 3 | |
3 | Klodian Duro | MF | 2001–2011 | 77 | 6 | |
4 | Erjon Bogdani | FW | 1996–2013 | 75 | 18 | |
= | Ervin Skela | MF | 2000–2011 | 75 | 13 | ![]() |
= | Etrit Berisha* | GK | 2012–2022 | 75#1 | 0 | |
7 | Elseid Hysaj* | DF | 2013–2022 | 74#1 | 2 | |
8 | Foto Strakosha | GK | 1990–2005 | 73 | 0 | |
= | Ansi Agolli | DF | 2005–2017 | 73 | 3 | |
10 | Odise Roshi* | MF | 2011–2022 | 71#1 | 5 | |
11 | Andi Lila | DF | 2007–2018 | 70#1 | 0 | |
12 | Igli Tare | FW | 1997–2007 | 68 | 10 | |
13 | Alban Bushi | FW | 1995–2007 | 67 | 14 | |
= | Altin Haxhi | MF | 1995–2009 | 67 | 3 | |
15 | Armend Dallku | DF | 2005–2013 | 64 | 1 | |
16 | Altin Rraklli | FW | 1992–2005 | 63 | 11 | |
17 | Rudi Vata | DF | 1990–2001 | 59 | 5 | ![]() |
18 | Ervin Bulku | MF | 2002–2015 | 56 | 1 | |
19 | Sokol Cikalleshi* | FW | 2014–2022 | 51#1 | 12 | |
20 | Hamdi Salihi | FW | 2006–2015 | 50 | 11 | |
= | Mërgim Mavraj* | DF | 2012–2019 | 50 | 3 | |
= | Amir Abrashi* | MF | 2013–2022 | 50 | 1 | |
23 | Arjan Xhumba | DF | 1994–2002 | 48 | 0 | |
= | Bekim Balaj* | FW | 2012–2022 | 48 | 9 | |
= | Berat Djimsiti | DF | 2015–2022 | 48#1 | 1 | |
26 | Elvin Beqiri | DF | 2002–2009 | 47 | 0 | |
= | Jahmir Hyka* | MF | 2007–2018 | 47 | 2 | |
28 | Sulejman Demollari | MF | 1983–1995 | 45 | 1 | |
= | Ermir Lenjani* | MF | 2013–2022 | 45#1 | 5 | |
30 | Debatik Curri | DF | 2006–2015 | 44 | 1 | |
= | Ledian Memushaj* | MF | 2010–2021 | 44#1 | 2 | |
= | Freddie Veseli* | MF | 2015–2022 | 44#1 | 0 | |
33 | Arjan Beqaj | GK | 1998–2011 | 43 | 0 | ![]() |
= | Besnik Hasi | MF | 2000–2007 | 43 | 2 | |
35 | Edvin Murati | MF | 1998–2006 | 42 | 4 | ![]() |
36 | Edmond Kapllani* | FW | 2004–2014 | 41 | 6 | |
37 | Ilir Shulku | DF | 1992–2000 | 40 | 1 | |
38 | Bledar Kola | MF | 1994–2002 | 39 | 6 | |
= | Devi Muka | MF | 1998–2007 | 39 | 1 | ![]() |
40 | Armando Sadiku* | FW | 2012–2020 | 38#1 | 12 | |
41 | Hysen Zmijani | MF | 1984–1995 | 36 | 2 | |
42 | Kristi Vangjeli | DF | 2008–2012 | 35 | 0 | |
43 | Geri Çipi | DF | 1995–2005 | 34 | 0 | ![]() |
= | Migjen Basha* | MF | 2013–2019 | 34#1 | 3 | |
45 | Sokol Kushta | FW | 1987–1996 | 31 | 10 | |
= | Nevil Dede | DF | 1995–2007 | 31 | 0 | |
= | Taulant Xhaka* | MF | 2012–2019 | 31#1 | 1 | |
= | Rey Manaj* | MF | 2015–2022 | 31#1 | 7 | |
49 | Artur Lekbello | MF | 1987–1996 | 30 | 0 | |
= | Arjan Bellaj | MF | 1994–2003 | 30 | 1 | |
= | Ardian Ismajli* | MF | 2018–2022 | 30 | 2 | |
52 | Adrian Aliaj | MF | 2002–2006 | 29 | 8 | |
53 | Panajot Pano | FW | 1963–1973 | 28 | 4 | |
= | Arben Minga | FW | 1980–1989 | 28 | 2 | |
= | Myrto Uzuni* | MF | 2018–2022 | 28 | 5 | |
56 | Mirel Josa | MF | 1984–1992 | 27 | 1 | |
= | Burim Kukeli | MF | 2012–2017 | 27 | 0 | |
= | Elis Bakaj | MF | 2007–2013 | 27 | 1 | |
= | Emiljano Vila | MF | 2009–2014 | 27 | 3 | |
60 | Indrit Fortuzi | FW | 1992–2002 | 25 | 1 | |
= | Ervin Fakaj | DF | 1995–2002 | 25 | 1 | |
= | Florian Myrtaj | FW | 2002–2006 | 25 | 3 | |
= | Ergys Kaçe* | MF | 2013–2019 | 25 | 2 | |
64 | Loro Boriçi | FW | 1946–1958 | 24 | 6 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Ylber Ramadani* | MF | 2018–2022 | 24 | 1 | |
66 | Perlat Musta | GK | 1981–1993 | 23 | 0 | |
= | Gjergji Muzaka | MF | 2008–2013 | 23 | 1 | |
= | Keidi Bare* | MF | 2018–2022 | 23 | 2 | |
69 | Muhedin Targaj | DF | 1980–1985 | 22 | 3 | |
= | Agustin Kola | FW | 1980–1994 | 22 | 1 | |
= | Arlind Ajeti* | DF | 2014–2022 | 22#1 | 1 | |
72 | Safet Berisha | DF | 1970–1981 | 21 | 0 | |
= | Skënder Hodja | MF | 1984–1990 | 21 | 0 | |
= | Thomas Strakosha* | GK | 2017–2022 | 21 | 0 | |
= | Klaus Gjasula* | MF | 2019–2022 | 21 | 0 | |
76 | Muhamet Dibra | DF | 1946–1953 | 20 | 0 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Rexhep Spahiu | DF | 1946–1952 | 20 | 0 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Ramazan Rragami | FW | 1965–1973 | 20 | 1 | |
= | Lefter Millo | MF | 1988–1996 | 20 | 0 | |
= | Samir UjkaniKOS | GK | 2008–2013 | 20 | 0 | |
= | Qazim Laçi* | MF | 2020–2022 | 20 | 0 | |
82 | Sllave Llambi | MF | 1946–1950 | 19 | 0 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Eduard Abazi | MF | 1985–1997 | 19 | 2 | |
= | Redi Jupi | MF | 1995–2006 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
= | Admir Teli | DF | 2006–2013 | 19 | 0 | |
= | Gilman Lika | MF | 2008–2013 | 19 | 0 | |
= | Sabien Lilaj | MF | 2011–2018 | 19 | 0 | |
88 | Aristidh Parapani | MF | 1946–1952 | 18 | 1 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Blendi Nallbani | GK | 1989–2002 | 18 | 0 | ![]() |
= | Salvador Kaçaj | MF | 1991–1997 | 18 | 1 | |
91 | Vasif Biçaku | MF | 1946–1950 | 17 | 1 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Fatmir Vata | FW | 1996–2002 | 17 | 0 | |
= | Isli Hidi | GK | 2005–2011 | 17 | 0 | |
= | Besart BerishaKOS | FW | 2006–2009 | 17 | 1 | |
= | Shkëlzen Gashi* | MF | 2013–2016 | 17 | 1 | |
= | Marash Kumbulla* | MF | 2019–2022 | 17 | 0 | |
= | Armando Broja* | MF | 2020–2022 | 17 | 4 | |
98 | Shkëlqim Muça | MF | 1982–1987 | 16 | 2 | |
= | Edmond Dalipi | FW | 1993–2000 | 16 | 1 | ![]() |
= | Edgar Çani* | FW | 2012–2016 | 16 | 4 | |
101 | Lin Shllaku | MF | 1963–1970 | 15 | 0 | |
= | Sabah Bizi | MF | 1967–1976 | 15 | 1 | |
= | Ilir Përnaska | FW | 1971–1981 | 15 | 5 | |
= | Haxhi Ballgjini | MF | 1976–1985 | 15 | 1 | |
= | Fatbardh Jera | DF | 1985–1990 | 15 | 0 | |
= | Saimir Malko | DF | 1994–1996 | 15 | 0 | |
= | Valdet Rama* | MF | 2013–2015 | 15 | 3 | |
= | Lorenc Trashi* | MF | 2019–2021 | 15 | 1 | |
109 | Xhevdet Shaqiri | DF | 1947–1957 | 14 | 0 | |
= | Ali Mema | MF | 1963–1967 | 14 | 0 | |
= | Ferid Rragami | MF | 1980–1985 | 14 | 0 | |
= | Bedri Omuri | MF | 1982–1987 | 14 | 3 | |
= | Ilion Lika | GK | 2002–2006 | 14 | 0 | |
= | Bledi Shkëmbi | MF | 2002–2006 | 14 | 0 | |
115 | Qamil Teliti | FW | 1946–1952 | 13 | 6 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Bahri Kavaja | DF | 1946–1950 | 13 | 0 | |
= | Mahir Halili | MF | 1996–1999 | 13 | 1 | |
= | Arjan Peço | MF | 1996–2002 | 13 | 0 | |
= | Naser Aliji | MF | 2015–2019 | 13#1 | 0 | |
= | Eros Grezda | MF | 2017–2019 | 13 | 1 | |
= | Enea Mihaj | MF | 2018–2022 | 13 | 0 | |
= | Kastriot Dermaku | MF | 2018–2022 | 13 | 1 | |
123 | Zihni Gjinali | FW | 1948–1952 | 12 | 3 | |
= | Fatbardh Deliallisi | DF | 1957–1965 | 12 | 0 | |
= | Fatmir Frashëri | DF | 1963–1970 | 12 | 0 | |
= | Mihal Gjika | DF | 1971–1974 | 12 | 1 | |
= | Kliton Bozgo | FW | 1993–2000 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
= | Ardit Beqiri | DF | 2002–2006 | 12 | 0 | |
= | Tefik Osmani | DF | 2005–2013 | 12 | 0 | |
130 | Besim Fagu | DF | 1946–1958 | 11 | 0 | 1946 Balkan Cup |
= | Qemal Vogli | GK | 1947–1953 | 11 | 0 | |
= | Skënder Halili | DF | 1963–1965 | 11 | 0 | |
= | Medin Zhega | FW | 1965–1971 | 11 | 3 | |
= | Faruk Sejdini | MF | 1971–1976 | 11 | 0 | |
= | Ilir Lame | MF | 1980–1984 | 11 | 0 | |
= | Adnan Oçelli | DF | 1984–1993 | 11 | 0 | |
= | Rrapo Taho | DF | 1986–1993 | 11 | 0 | |
= | Kastriot Peqini | FW | 1991–1994 | 11 | 0 | |
= | Mehmet Dragusha | MF | 2003–2005 | 11 | 1 | |
= | Endri Çekiçi | MF | 2020–2022 | 11 | 1 | |
141 | Arian Hametaj | DF | 1982–1985 | 10 | 0 | |
= | Skënder Gega | DF | 1987–1989 | 10 | 0 | |
= | Ylli Shehu | FW | 1988–1995 | 10 | 1 | |
= | Gjergji Dëma | DF | 1990–1997 | 10 | 0 | |
= | Arbën Milori | MF | 1991–1995 | 10 | 0 | |
= | Endri Vrapi | DF | 2006–2011 | 10 | 0 | |
= | Taulant Seferi | MF | 2019–2022 | 10 | 1 | |
= | Nedim Bajrami | MF | 2021–2022 | 10 | 0 |