Albania national under-17 football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Albania women's national under-17 football team.

Albania Under-17

Nickname(s)	Kuqezinjtë (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 colours Second colours Third colours
First international
Croatia 4–0 Albania   (Vác, Hungary; 24 September 2001)
Biggest win
Liechtenstein 0–6 Albania   (Tatabánya, Hungary; 23 October 2012)
Biggest defeat
Albania 0–7 Belarus   (Riihimäki, Finland; 25 September 2008)
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Appearances	1 (first in 2025 )
Best result	Group Stage (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
2020	Tournament was cancelled									3	0	1	2	0	6		Elvin Beqiri
2021	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		Ardian 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							Fatjon Tafaj
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

Slovenia   v   Albania

18 April 2024 (2024-04-18) Friendly	Slovenia	1–2	Albania	Ajdovščina
	Videnović 21'	Report	Kulla 41', 72'	Stadium: Ajdovščina Stadium

Montenegro   v   Albania

22 May 2024 (2024-05-22) Friendly	Montenegro	3–1	Albania	Podgorica
11:45	Vukoje 14' Anđelić 77' Gjokaj 80'	Report	Kulla 69'	Stadium: Podgorica City Stadium Referee: Miloš Bešović (Montenegro)

Albania   v   Montenegro

24 May 2024 (2024-05-24) Friendly	Albania	0–0	Montenegro	Shkodër
2:30		Report		Stadium: Loro Boriçi Stadium

Albania   v   Azerbaijan

17 June 2024 (2024-06-17) Friendly	Albania	1–1	Azerbaijan	Rrogozhinë
	Gecaj 71'	Report	Qazibəyov 13'	Stadium: Egnatia Arena

Albania   v   Azerbaijan

19 June 2024 (2024-06-19) Friendly	Albania	4–1	Azerbaijan	Rrogozhinë
	Mihana 7', 27' Kulla 61', 77'	Report	İbrahim 70'	Stadium: Egnatia Arena

Albania   v   Luxembourg

4 September 2024 (2024-09-04) Friendly	Albania	3–1	Luxembourg	Vorë
	Gecaj 28' Kulla 45', 83' (pen.)	Report	Duarte 65'	Stadium: Stadiumi Vora

Albania   v   Luxembourg

6 September 2024 (2024-09-06) Friendly	Albania	0–3	Luxembourg	Tirana
		Report	Polfer 44', 51' Rodrigues 56'	Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit

Albania   v   Croatia

9 October 2024 (2024-10-09) 2025 UEFA Q	Albania	1–1	Croatia	Tirana
	Kulla 66'	Report	Kurti 28' (o.g.)	Stadium: Air Albania Stadium Referee: Zorbay Küçük (Türkiye)

Netherlands   v   Albania

12 October 2024 (2024-10-12) 2025 UEFA Q	Netherlands	5–0	Albania	Tirana
	Wijks 11' Ünüvar 21' Ouarghi 59' Nash 81' Beerens 84'	Report		Stadium: Air Albania Stadium Referee: Lukasz Kuzma (Poland)

Faroe Islands   v   Albania

15 October 2024 (2024-10-15) 2025 UEFA Q	Faroe Islands	0–1	Albania	Rrogozhinë
		Report	Kulla 57'	Stadium: Egnatia Arena Referee: Matthew MacDermid (Scotland)

Albania   v   Poland

15 November 2024 (2024-11-15) Friendly	Albania	3–2	Poland	Tirana
	Kulla 53', 66' Vogli 79'	Report	Kaczowka 44', 55'	Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit

Albania   v   Poland

18 November 2024 (2024-11-18) Friendly	Albania	0–4	Poland	Tirana
		Report	Kaczowka 55' Śledziński 78', 90' Falkiewicz 87'	Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit

Azerbaijan   v   Albania

19 March 2025 (2025-03-19) 2025 UEFA Q	Azerbaijan	1–4	Albania	Elbasan
15:00	Rzayev 47'	Report	Gjoka 7', 53', 64' Kulla 76'	Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Jérémy Muller (Luxembourg)

Albania   v   Wales

25 March 2025 (2025-03-25) 2025 UEFA Q	Albania	1–2	Wales	Tirana
15:00	Myrtaj 20'	Report	Grainger 63', 76'	Stadium: Shtëpia e Futbollit Referee: Igor Bosca (Moldova)

Albania   v   Portugal

19 May 2025 (2025-05-19) 2025 UEFA	Albania	0–4	Portugal	Tirana
18:00		Report	Quintas 36' Mide 68' (pen.) Cabral 81' Soares 90+2'	Stadium: Arena Kombëtare Referee: Patrik Kolarić (Croatia)

Albania   v   Germany

22 May 2025 (2025-05-22) 2025 UEFA	Albania	0–4	Germany	Elbasan
18:00		Report	Mensah 7' Staff 20' Mike 66' Oteng-Mensah 85' (pen.)	Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Kamal Umudlu (Azerbaijan)

France   v   Albania

25 May 2025 (2025-05-25) 2025 UEFA	France	4–0	Albania	Elbasan
20:30	Malonga 33' Coulibaly 51' N'Guessan 66', 79'	Report		Stadium: Elbasan Arena Referee: Oleksiy Derevinskyi (Ukraine)

Italy   v   Albania

12 August 2025 (2025-08-12) Friendly	Italy	4–1	Albania	Firenze
	Pirola 29' Giammattei 45' Perillo 89' Guaglianone 90+2'	Report	Vata 20'	Stadium: Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano

Italy   v   Albania

14 August 2025 (2025-08-14) Friendly	Italy	6–0	Albania	Firenze
	Perillo 8', 50' Donato 28' Pisati 41' Fabbri 57' Petrone 84'	Report		Stadium: Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano

Poland   v   Albania

4 September 2025 (2025-09-04)2025 Syrenka Cup	Poland	1–1	Albania	Grodzisk Mazowiecki
	Smyrak 6'	Report	Himallari 67'	Stadium: GKS Pogon Stadium

Albania   v   Norway

6 September 2025 (2025-09-06)2025 Syrenka Cup	Albania	1–0	Norway	Sulejówek
	Luka 72'	Report		Stadium: Sulejówek Municipal Stadium

Albania   v   Romania

9 September 2025 (2025-09-09)2025 Syrenka Cup	Albania	0–3	Romania	Radom
		Report	Marincean 23' Bota 48' Niculcea 83'	Stadium: Municipal Stadium Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego

Albania   v   Netherlands

11 November 2025 (2025-11-11) 2026 UEFA Q	Albania	v	Netherlands
		Report

Croatia   v   Albania

14 November 2025 (2025-11-14) 2026 UEFA Q	Croatia	v	Albania
		Report

Kazakhstan   v   Albania

17 November 2025 (2025-11-17) 2026 UEFA Q	Kazakhstan	v	Albania
		Report

Players

Current squad

• The following players were called up for the f2025 Syrenka Cup. ^[13]
• Match dates: 4–9 September 2025
• Opposition:  Poland,   Norway,   Romania
• Caps and goals correct as of: 9 September 2025, after the match against Romania

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
	1 GK	Simon Lleshi	(2009-04-27) 27 April 2009 (age 16)	3	0	Inter U18
	1 GK	Klejton Uruci	(2009-11-21) 21 November 2009 (age 15)	3	0	Bologna U17
	2 DF	Frensi Mali	(2009-04-29) 29 April 2009 (age 16)	6	0	Partizani U17
	2 DF	Konstantinos Varesis	(2009-01-02) 2 January 2009 (age 16)	5	0	Fiorentina U17
	2 DF	Xhoel Mezani	(2009-07-05) 5 July 2009 (age 16)	4	0	Empoli U17
	2 DF	Dennis Pierro	(2009-01-01) 1 January 2009 (age 16)	3	0	Torino U17
	2 DF	Afrim Gashi	(2009-01-11) 11 January 2009 (age 16)	3	0	Bayern U17
	2 DF	Emiljano Malko	(2009-02-02) 2 February 2009 (age 16)	3	0	Leverkusen U17
	2 DF	Robin Balla	(2009-05-20) 20 May 2009 (age 16)	3	0	Partizani U17
	2 DF	Ledion Spahiu	(2009-04-23) 23 April 2009 (age 16)	2	0	Kalmar U19
	3 MF	Dion Vata	(2009-02-25) 25 February 2009 (age 16)	5	1	Partizani
	3 MF	Kledi Qosja	(2009-08-14) 14 August 2009 (age 16)	5	0	Catanzaro U17
	3 MF	Petro Marku	(2009-08-15) 15 August 2009 (age 16)	5	0	Bylisi U17
	3 MF	Eris Kurtulaj	(2009-07-08) 8 July 2009 (age 16)	4	0	Vllaznia U17
	3 MF	Daniele Lulaj	(2009-04-18) 18 April 2009 (age 16)	3	0	Lazio U17
	3 MF	Alvin Zekaj	(2009-05-16) 16 May 2009 (age 16)	1	0	Roma U17
	4 FW	Majkol Luka	(2009-03-23) 23 March 2009 (age 16)	5	1	Fiorentina U17
	4 FW	Ermal Ymeri	(2009-05-17) 17 May 2009 (age 16)	5	0	BP U17
	4 FW	Sokol Uldedaj	(2009-02-06) 6 February 2009 (age 16)	4	0	Vllaznia U17
	4 FW	Elson Himallari	(2009-04-16) 16 April 2009 (age 16)	3	1	Partizani

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	Bjorni Betoja	(2009-05-22) 22 May 2009 (age 16)	0	0	Vora U17	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
GK	Raffaele Huli	(2008-07-30) 30 July 2008 (age 17)	10	0	Juventus U20	v.   France, 25 May 2025U19
GK	Daniel Çuli	(2008-10-24) 24 October 2008 (age 16)	5	0	Ternana U18	v.   France, 25 May 2025
GK	Erno Mustafa	(2008-10-23) 23 October 2008 (age 16)	2	0	Partizani U19	v.   Wales, 25 March 2025
DF	Enea Bilishti	(2009-02-08) 8 February 2009 (age 16)	2	0	Brescia U17	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
DF	Isti Shahini	(2009-06-30) 30 June 2009 (age 16)	2	0	Teuta U17	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
DF	Elton Dodaj	(2009-02-22) 22 February 2009 (age 16)	1	0	Pro Patria U17	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
DF	Issa Sulejmani	(2009-07-30) 30 July 2009 (age 16)	1	0	LASK U16	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
DF	Teidi Binishi	(2009-10-12) 12 October 2009 (age 15)	1	0	Skënderbeu U17	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
DF	Kris Gecaj	(2008-11-14) 14 November 2008 (age 16)	22	3	Genoa U20	v.   France, 25 May 2025
DF	Fabjano Nuhaj	(2008-04-06) 6 April 2008 (age 17)	19	0	Olympiacos U19	v.   France, 25 May 2025U19
DF	Darli Kurti	(2008-09-20) 20 September 2008 (age 17)	17	0	Athletic Albaro	v.   France, 25 May 2025
DF	Lucas Çekrezi	(2008-03-05) 5 March 2008 (age 17)	14	0	Torino U18	v.   France, 25 May 2025
DF	Hassan Haradini	(2008-01-01) 1 January 2008 (age 17)	4	0	Waltrop U18	v.   France, 25 May 2025
DF	Fabian Hallidri	(2008-07-03) 3 July 2008 (age 17)	4	0	Hellas Verona U18	v.   France, 25 May 2025
DF	Leon Sylejmani	(2008-05-30) 30 May 2008 (age 17)	3	0	Servette U19	v.   France, 25 May 2025
DF	Spasian Nasto	(2008-06-04) 4 June 2008 (age 17)	5	0	Skënderbeu U19	v.   Wales, 25 March 2025
DF	Henri Sinani	(2008-09-24) 24 September 2008 (age 16)	0	0	Tirana U19	v.   Wales, 25 March 2025
DF	Kristian Agolli	(2008-08-08) 8 August 2008 (age 17)	0	0	Skënderbeu U19	v.   Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024
DF	Elio Gjoshi	(2008-07-01) 1 July 2008 (age 17)	1	0	Tirana U19	v.   Luxembourg, 6 September 2024
MF	Armend Muslika	(2009-03-08) 8 March 2009 (age 16)	2	0	Tottenham U18	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
MF	Andreas Llana	(2008-01-26) 26 January 2008 (age 17)	14	0	Olympiacos U19	v.   France, 25 May 2025U19
MF	Rikardo Sheji	(2008-03-05) 5 March 2008 (age 17)	14	0	Torino U18	v.   France, 25 May 2025U19
MF	Alex Ramku	(2008-05-20) 20 May 2008 (age 17)	9	0	Udinese U19	v.   France, 25 May 2025
MF	Evangjelos Gjoka	(2008-07-26) 26 July 2008 (age 17)	8	3	PAOK U19	v.   France, 25 May 2025
MF	Alen Vukaj	(2008-01-22) 22 January 2008 (age 17)	8	0	Inter U18	v.   France, 25 May 2025
MF	Enis Rexhepi	(2008-03-12) 12 March 2008 (age 17)	7	0	Stuttgart U19	v.   France, 25 May 2025
MF	Dijar Ferati	(2008-09-24) 24 September 2008 (age 16)	7	0	Rio Ave U23	v.   France, 25 May 2025
MF	Serxho Vogli	(2008-03-21) 21 March 2008 (age 17)	11	1	Tirana	v.   Portugal, 19 May 2025U19
MF	Ernesto Marqeshi	(2008-01-07) 7 January 2008 (age 17)	9	0	Tirana U19	v.   Portugal, 19 May 2025
MF	Eros Ndreçka	(2008-01-01) 1 January 2008 (age 17)	2	0	Mantova U19	v.   Portugal, 19 May 2025
MF	Alesio Marku	(2008-02-09) 9 February 2008 (age 17)	0	0	Dinamo City U19	v.   Poland, 18 November 2024
MF	Arian Gavelli	(2008-05-30) 30 May 2008 (age 17)	5	0	L'Hospitalet U19	v.   Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024
MF	Amer Kthupi	(2008-03-16) 16 March 2008 (age 17)	3	0	Vllaznia U19	v.   Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024
FW	Denis Matraku	(2009-05-18) 18 May 2009 (age 16)	2	0	Tirana U17	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
FW	Simon Uldedaj	(2009-02-06) 6 February 2009 (age 16)	1	0	Vllaznia U17	v.   Italy, 14 August 2025
FW	Gabriel Kulla	(2008-02-20) 20 February 2008 (age 17)	16	12	Sassuolo U20	v.   France, 25 May 2025U19
FW	Leon Myrtaj	(2008-03-24) 24 March 2008 (age 17)	7	1	Tottenham U18	v.   France, 25 May 2025
FW	Arman Durmishi	(2008-06-25) 25 June 2008 (age 17)	6	0	Juventus U20	v.   France, 25 May 2025
FW	Dajan Durmishi	(2008-06-25) 25 June 2008 (age 17)	2	0	Without club	v.   France, 25 May 2025
FW	Emiljano Mihana	(2008-03-18) 18 March 2008 (age 17)	15	2	Tirana	v.   Wales, 25 March 2025
FW	Mateo Deda	(2008-12-07) 7 December 2008 (age 16)	0	0	Tirana U19	v.   Wales, 25 March 2025
FW	Flavio Shkëmbi	(2008-09-17) 17 September 2008 (age 17)	6	0	Skënderbeu U19	v.   Poland, 18 November 2024
FW	Gisel Lleshaj	(2008-04-24) 24 April 2008 (age 17)	0	0	Sant Andreu U19	v.   Poland, 18 November 2024
FW	Serxho Prendi	(2008-03-29) 29 March 2008 (age 17)	1	0	Tirana U19	v.   Faroe Islands, 15 October 2024

Notes

• ^U19 = Was called up from national under-19 squad.

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

1. "Adi Kurti". BeSoccer.
2. "Gabriel Kulla". BeSoccer.
3. https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/kampionati-europian-u17-do-te-mbahet-ne-tirane-rama-gjera-te-paimagjinueshme-vite-me-pare
4. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2002 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
5. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2003 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
6. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2004 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
7. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2005 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
8. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2006 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
9. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2007 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
10. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2008 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
11. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2009 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
12. "U-17 Euro Qualification 2010 table". BeSoccer. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
13. "Turneu "Syrenka Cup"/ Shqipëria U-17 nis nesër grumbullimin, trajneri Tafaj fton 20 lojtarë" (in Albanian). FSHF. 2 September 2025.
14. "Kombëtarja U-17". FSHF.org. Retrieved 28 March 2023.

External links

• Albania national under-17 football team profile at Soccerway
• Under-17 - Albania – UEFA.com