Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the history of Albania with 93 caps.
Lorik Cana is the most capped player in the history of Albania with 93 caps.

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]

Players

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.

A 60th anniversary stamp commemorating the team's victory in the 1946 Balkan Cup
A 60th anniversary stamp commemorating the team's victory in the 1946 Balkan Cup

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
Panajot Pano was selected by the Albanian Football Association as the most outstanding player of the past 50 years.
Panajot Pano was selected by the Albanian Football Association as the most outstanding player of the past 50 years.
Altin Lala played 79 times for Albania and held the caps record between 2011 and 2014.
Altin Lala played 79 times for Albania and held the caps record between 2011 and 2014.
Albania national team footballers with at least 12 appearances[14][20]
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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
= 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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
= Besnik Hasi MF 2000–2007 43 2
35 Edvin Murati MF 1998–2006 42 4 Malta 2000 Rothmans
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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
= 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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
= 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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
= 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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
= 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 Malta 2000 Rothmans
= 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

Notes

  1. ^ Players who are still active for the national team are players who have not retired from international football and are, subsequently, eligible to be called up.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Komiteti Ekzekutiv". FSHF. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d Di Maggio, Roberto. "Albania – International Matches – Overview". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Results Hint at Albanian Ascension". UEFA. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Why Does Israel's Football Team Play In Europe?". Sky News. 18 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Armenia 0–3 Albania". The Guardian. 11 October 2015. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. ^ Mezahi, Maher (23 June 2016). "Albania Leave France With Heads Held High After Historic Euro Campaign". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  7. ^ De Dekker, Guy. "Balkan Cup (For Nations)". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  8. ^ "Rothmans Tournament 2000". eu-football.info. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  9. ^ a b c Mamrud, Roberto. "Lorik Cana – International Appearances". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  10. ^ MacPherson, Graeme (17 November 2018). "Passion For Past Inspires Cana's Future Ambitions". The Herald. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  11. ^ "Albania Get Heroes' Welcome Upon Return After Euro 2016 Exit". ESPN. 23 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  12. ^ a b Mamrud, Roberto. "Erion Bogdani – Goals in International Matches". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 February 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  13. ^ a b Mamrud, Roberto. "Alban Bushi – Goals in International Matches". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  14. ^ a b c Mamrud, Roberto; Hoxha, Florian. "Albania – Record International Players". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Panajot Pano". eu-football.info. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Golden Players Take Centre Stage". UEFA. 29 November 2003. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  17. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Foto Strakosha". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 May 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  18. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Altin Lala". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  19. ^ "Kosovo 2–2 Albania". eu-football.info. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  20. ^ "Albania". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 7 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.

External links

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