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 Grimaj | |||
| Captain | Albina Rrahmani | |||
| Most caps | Megi Doçi (70) | |||
| Top scorer | Megi Doçi (23) | |||
| Home stadium | Arena Kombëtare | |||
| FIFA code | ALB | |||
| ||||
| FIFA ranking | ||||
| Current | 67  4 (16 June 2026)[1] | |||
| Highest | 59 (December 2013) | |||
| Lowest | 81 (December 2015) | |||
| First international | ||||
 Albania 1–0 Macedonia  (Pogradec, Albania; 5 May 2011)[2] | ||||
| 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 on 5th May, 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
editThe 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.[3] The match ended 1–0 with Albania's first win and midfielder Aurora Seranaj scoring the first goal for Albania.[3] The national team ended the year with their second win against Macedonia FYR away in Struga.[4]
On 15 May 2012, Albania faced Montenegro in Bar and won 4–2.[5] Three days later, the Albanian team won again with a rematch against Montenegro, winning 4–3 at the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër.[6] On 22 May, Albania encountered Macedonia FYR again, winning 2–0 with 2 goals from Suada Jashari.[7] 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[8] and lost 0–3 to Greece.[9]
Team image
editKits and crest
editHome stadium
editThe 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.[3] 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.[10] 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
editThis Is the schedule of past & upcoming games for the Albania women's football team.
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2025
edit| 24 October 2025 UEFA Nations League play-off | Cyprus  | 3–2 | Albania | Larnaca, Cyprus |
| 18:00 (19:00 EEST) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium Attendance: 350 Referee: Miriama Bočková (Slovakia) |
| 28 October 2025 UEFA Nations League play-off | Albania | 3–0 | Cyprus | Tirana, Albania |
| 18:00 | Report | Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Attendance: 678 Referee: Catarina Campos (Portugal) | ||
| Note: Albania won 5–3 on aggregate, and therefore both teams remained in their respective leagues | ||||
| 1 December 2025 Friendly | Turkey  | 2–0 | Albania | Istanbul, Turkey |
| 19:00 | Şeker 14'Altunkulak 81' |
Stadium: THY Fielad Referee: Lutfaliyeva (AZE), Nuriyeva(AZE), Akbarzada (AZE) |
2026
edit| 3 March 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification | Montenegro  | 1–2 | Albania | Nikšić, Montenegro |
| 14:00 | Kuč 67' |
Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA) |
Doçi 70', 76' |
Stadium: Gradski stadion Referee: Miriama Bočková (Slovakia) |
| 7 March 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification | Albania | 1–5 |  Czech Republic | Shkodër, Albania |
| 18:00 |
|
Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA) |
Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium Attendance: 743 Referee: Lotta Vuorio (Finland) |
| 14 April 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification | Wales  | 4–0 | Albania | Wrexham, Wales |
| 20:15 | Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA) |
Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 4,485 Referee: Katalin Sipos (Hungary) |
| 18 April 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification | Albania | 0–1 | Wales | Elbasan, Albania |
| 18:00 | Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA) |
|
Stadium: Elbasan Arena Attendance: 538 Referee: Lizzy van der Helm (Netherlands) |
| 5 June 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification | Czech Republic | 1–1 | Albania | Prague, Czech Republic |
| 17:30 |
|
Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA) |
|
Stadium: FK Viktoria Stadion Attendance: 1,453 Referee: Franziska Wildfeuer (Germany) |
| 9 June 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification | Albania | 5−2 | Montenegro | Shkodër, Albania |
| 19:00 |
|
Report (FIFA) Report (UEFA) |
Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium Referee: Emily Heaslip (England) |
| TBD 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-offs | Albania | v | Wales | Albania |
| TBD |
| TBD 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-offs | Wales | v | Albania | Wales |
| TBD |
Coaching staff
editCurrent coaching staff
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (August 2021) |
| Position | Name | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Armir Grimaj |
Manager history
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (August 2021) |
- Altin Rraklli (5 May 2011 – 22 April 2016)
- Armir Grimaj (22 April 2016–present)[11]
Players
editCurrent squad
editThe following players were called up for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification matches against Czech Republic and Montenegro on 5 and 9 June 2026, respectively.[12]
- Caps and goals are correct as of 9 June 2026[update], after the match against Montenegro.
Recent call-ups
edit- 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 | Viona Rexhepi | 24 July 1996 | 27 | 0 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
| GK | Klesjana Spaho | 10 May 2004 | 0 | 0 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
| DF | Leonora Dedgjonaj | 14 September 1999 | 2 | 0 | Partizani Tirana |
v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 |
| DF | Sara Maliqi | 9 October 1995 | 38 | 0 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
| DF | Aidena Mustafa | 0 | v. Czech Republic, 3 June 2025 | |||
| DF | Arlinda Kodra | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
v. Czech Republic, 3 June 2025 | ||
| DF | Kristina Hoxhaj | v. Czech Republic, 25 February 2025 | ||||
| MF | Xhesika Ndoj | 20 July 2007 | 0 | 0 | Vllaznia Shkodër |
v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 |
| MF | Megi Doçi (captain) | 14 October 1996 | 37 | 9 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
| MF | Erjona Emërllahu | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | ||||
| MF | Mimoza Hamidi | 28 April 1998 | 17 | 3 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
| MF | Donika Dedaj | v.  Romania, 3 December 2024 | ||||
| MF | Eriola Delija | v. Czech Republic, 25 February 2025 | ||||
| MF | Stacey Qosja | v. Czech Republic, 25 February 2025 | ||||
| MF | Lavdije Begolli | v. Czech Republic, 25 February 2025 | ||||
| MF | Jehona Coka | 5 March 2005 | 0 | 0 | v. Czech Republic, 25 February 2025 | |
| MF | Gelda Kadiolli | v. Czech Republic, 25 February 2025 | ||||
| MF | Mikaela Metalla | 22 October 2002 | 14 | 0 | v. Czech Republic, 3 June 2025 | |
| FW | Florentina Kuqi | 26 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
| FW | Viola Imeraj | v. Romania, 3 December 2024 | ||||
| FW | Rreza Gashi | v. Romania, 3 December 2024 | ||||
| FW | Djellza Istrefaj | 29 May 2000 | 2 | 1 | v.  Croatia, 8 April 2025 | |
| FW | Kristina Maksuti | 6 February 1993 | 23 | 5 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
| FW | Esi Lufo | 10 September 2001 | 9 | 1 | v. Cyprus, 28 October 2025 | |
Records
editIndividual
edit- As of 5 August 2021
*Active players in bold.
Most capped playersedit
|
Top goalscorersedit
|
Competitive record
editFIFA Women's World Cup
edit| 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 |
Team did not exist | Team did not exist | ||||||||||||||
 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 | ||||||||||||||
   2031 |
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
 2035 |
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 0/6 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Total | 24 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 31 | 101 | −70 |
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
UEFA Women's Championship
edit| 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 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1987 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1989 | |||||||||||||||||||
 1991 | |||||||||||||||||||
 1993 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||
 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||
 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 |
Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||||||
 2017 |
Did not qualify | 5/5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 31 | −28 | – | |||||||||
| 2021 |
4/5 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 21 | −14 | |||||||||||
 2025 |
1/4 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 18 | −10 |  [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
edit
Head-to-head record
edit- 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
editNotes
edit- ↑ 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
edit- ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". 16 June 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "Albania matches". Kirill. 16 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- 1 2 3 Fatjon Pandovski – Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) (6 May 2011). "Seranaj scores as Albania women make their debut". UEFA. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011.
- ↑ 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
- ↑ "Botërori 2027 për vajza/ Sfidat vendimtare ndaj Çekisë & Malit të Zi, trajneri Grima grumbullon 23 lojtare" (in Albanian). Albanian Football Association.
