Kosovo women's national football team

Last updated

Kosovo
Football Federation of Kosovo logo.svg
Nickname(s) Dardanet (Dardanets)
Association Federata e Futbollit e Kosovës (FFK)
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coachSami Sermaxhaj
Captain Ereleta Memeti
Most caps Kaltrina Biqkaj (55) [a]
Top scorer Erëleta Memeti (13) [a]
Home stadium Fadil Vokrri Stadium
FIFA code KOS
Kit left arm kvx23h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body kvx23h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm kvx23h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts kvx23h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks kvx23h.png
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm kvx23a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body kvx23a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm kvx23a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts kvx23a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
Kit left arm kvx23t.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body kvx23t.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm kvx23t.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts kvx23t.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 95 Decrease2.svg 1 (6 March 2025) [1]
Highest91 (March 2024)
Lowest126 (July – September 2019)
First international
Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 2–2 Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg
(Durrës, Albania; 19 September 2015) [2]
Biggest win
Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 8–0 Estonia  Flag of Estonia.svg
(Pristina, Kosovo; 29 November 2024)
Biggest defeat

The Kosovo women's national football team (Albanian : Kombëtarja e futbollit të femrave të Kosovës; Serbian : Женска фудбалска репрезентација Косова, romanized: Ženska fudbalska reprezentacija Kosova) represents Kosovo in international women's football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Kosovo.

Contents

History

Permitting by FIFA to play friendlies

On 6 February 2013, FIFA gave Kosovo the permission to play international friendly games against other member associations. [3] On 13 January 2014, there was a change of this permit that forbade Kosovo to play against the national teams of the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Club teams were also allowed to play friendlies and this happened after a FIFA Emergency Committee meeting. However, it was stipulated that clubs and representative teams of the Football Federation of Kosovo may not display national symbols as flags, emblems, etc. or play national anthems. The go-ahead was given after meetings between the Football Association of Serbia and Sepp Blatter.

Membership in UEFA and FIFA

In September 2015 at an UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Malta was approved the request from the federation to the admission in UEFA to the next Ordinary Congress to be held in Budapest. [4] On 3 May 2016, at the Ordinary Congress. Kosovo were accepted into UEFA after members voted 28–24 in favor of Kosovo. [5] [6] Ten days later, Kosovo was accepted in FIFA during their 66th congress in Mexico with 141 votes in favour and 23 against. [7]

First tournament

Debut in World Cup and Euro qualifications

Kosovo began to make their debut in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification, where Kosovo was drawn with Albania, Greece and Malta. [8] The Kosovars despite the efforts failed to qualify and finished last in the group with three losses.

After failing to qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, Kosovo participated in the UEFA Women's Euro 2021 qualifying, together with Estonia, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey and 2019 World Cup runners-up finisher Netherlands, [9] the Kosovars created their first big surprise, defeating Turkey in a 2–0 home win, which was also the team's first-ever competitive win, [10] victory which increased the enthusiasm which unfortunately did not last long and after the positive results began to experience a decline which resulted in disqualification.

Team image

Nicknames

The Kosovo women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Dardanet (Dardanets)".

Kits and crest

The Kosovan women's national football team wears blue jersey at home matches, white jersey at away matches, black jersey at neutral matches, but mostly this jersey is used as an alternative jersey, following the tradition of the Kosovo men's team. On 5 October 2016, Kosovo signed with Spanish sportswear company Kelme to a four-year contract and was the first official kit suppliers of Kosovo after membership in UEFA and FIFA. [11] On 23 February 2022, Kosovo signed with Italian sportswear company Erreà to a three-year contract for it to the kit suppliers of Kosovo. [12]

Kit supplierPeriodContract
AnnouncementDuration
Flag of Spain.svg Kelme 2016–20185 October 20162016–2020 (4 years)
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Fourteen2018–202316 June 20182018–2022 (4 years)
Flag of Italy.svg Erreà 2023–present23 February 20232023–2026 (3 years)

Home stadium

Kosovo's home stadium is the Fadil Vokrri Stadium. The stadium capacity is 13,500, which makes it the second largest national stadium in Kosovo. Kosovo's previous national stadium was the Adem Jashari Olympic Stadium which is currently under renovation.

Kosovo national football team home stadiums
StadiumCapacityLocationPldWDLWin %First matchLast match UEFA
category
OpponentDateOpponentDate
Fadil Vokrri Stadium 13,500 Pristina, Kosovo15618040.00Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 8 April 2019Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 2 December 2024Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg
Zahir Pajaziti Stadium 9,000 Podujevë, Kosovo3102033.33Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 1 December 2023Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 31 May 2024Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg
FFK National Educational Camp 4,000 Hajvalia, Kosovo2200100.00Flag of Liechtenstein.svg  Liechtenstein 13 July 2023Flag of Liechtenstein.svg  Liechtenstein 13 July 2023Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
Gjakova City Stadium 6,000 Gjakova, Kosovo1100100.00Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia, 5 April 2019Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg
Adem Jashari Olympic Stadium 18,500 Mitrovica, Kosovo1100100.00Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro, 26 November 2017Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg

Results and fixtures

Legend

  Win  Draw  Lose  Void or postponed  Fixture

2024

5 April UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying Ukraine  Flag of Ukraine.svg2–0Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo Antalya, Turkey
17:00
Report Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
Attendance: 45
Referee: Karoline Wacker (Germany)
9 April UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg0–6Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Podujevë, Kosovo
14:00 Report
Stadium: Zahir Pajaziti Stadium
Attendance: 200
Referee: Galiya Echeva (Bulgaria)
31 May UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg0–1Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Podujevë, Kosovo
17:00 Report Rudelić Soccerball shade.svg58'Stadium: Zahir Pajaziti Stadium
Attendance: 500
Referee: Kristina Georgieva (Bulgaria)
4 June UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying Croatia  Flag of Croatia.svg2–0Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo Karlovac, Croatia
20:00 Rudelić Soccerball shade.svg15'
Marković Soccerball shade.svg74'
Report Stadium: Stadion Branko Čavlović-Čavlek
Attendance: 348
Referee: Michaela Pachtová (Czech Republic)
12 July UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg0–4Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Pristina, Kosovo
18:00 Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Attendance: 347
Referee: Zuzana Valentová (Slovakia)
16 July UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying Wales  Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg2–0Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo Llanelli, Wales
19:00 Report Stadium: Parc y Scarlets
Referee: Deborah Anex (Switzerland)
29 November Friendly Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg8–0Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia Pristina, Kosovo
14:00  UTC+2
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Referee: Florian Lata (Albania)
2 December Friendly Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg1–2Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia Pristina, Kosovo
14:00  UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Referee: Florian Lata (Albania)

2025

21 February 2025 UEFA Nations League North Macedonia  Flag of North Macedonia.svg0–4Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo Skopje, North Macedonia
Report
Stadium: Petar Miloševski Training Centre
Attendance: 197
Referee: Emilie Torkelsen (Norway)
25 February 2025 UEFA Nations League Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg0–1Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia Pristina, Kosovo
Report Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Referee: Maïka Vanderstichel (France)

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

PositionName
Head coach Flag of Kosovo.svg Sami Sermaxhaj
Assistant coach(es)
Flag of Kosovo.svg Sanije Krasniqi
Flag of Albania.svg Xhemile Berisha
Fitness coach Flag of Kosovo.svg Fitim Shabani
Goalkeeping coach Flag of Kosovo.svg Diellza Musa
Physiotherapist(s)
Flag of Kosovo.svg Florentina Lahu
Flag of Kosovo.svg Qendresa Ajvazi
Doctor Flag of Kosovo.svg Vlora Podvorica
Kit manager Flag of Kosovo.svg Liburn Rama
Team manager Flag of Kosovo.svg Valbona Gashi Uka

Players

Current squad

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoals
11 GK Alma Demiri (2005-06-27) 27 June 2005 (age 19)120
121 GK Florentina Kolgeci (2000-10-30) 30 October 2000 (age 24)220
161 GK Djellza Mehmeti (2006-10-27) 27 October 2006 (age 18)30

22 DF Rrezona Ramadani (2002-09-05) 5 September 2002 (age 22)191
32 DF Fatlinda Ramaj (2000-10-01) 1 October 2000 (age 24)270
52 DF Blerta Smaili (2002-05-08) 8 May 2002 (age 22)280
112 DF Edona Kryeziu (1995-10-03) 3 October 1995 (age 29)551
182 DF Laureta Cernaveri (2005-05-09) 9 May 2005 (age 19)30
212 DF Albulena Fejza (2002-09-24) 24 September 2002 (age 22)40
222 DF Agnesa Gashi (1998-05-21) 21 May 1998 (age 26)150
232 DF Kreshnike Ramaja (2005-09-20) 20 September 2005 (age 19)00

43 MF Donjeta Halilaj (2000-03-12) 12 March 2000 (age 25)448
63 MF Lumbardha Misini (2003-05-03) 3 May 2003 (age 21)300
83 MF Blerta Shala (1998-12-03) 3 December 1998 (age 26)491
143 MF Valentina Metaj (2004-10-03) 3 October 2004 (age 20)217
153 MF Marigonë Tahiri (1999-02-25) 25 February 1999 (age 26)180
173 MF Elona Paci (2007-11-02) 2 November 2007 (age 17)20
193 MF Gentiana Fetaj (2002-08-04) 4 August 2002 (age 22)42
203 MF Bardha Mahmuti (2006-05-15) 15 May 2006 (age 18)10

74 FW Erëleta Memeti (captain) (1999-06-30) 30 June 1999 (age 25)4017
94 FW Kaltrina Biqkaj (2000-08-05) 5 August 2000 (age 24)6011
104 FW Valentina Limani (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 28)484
134 FW Yllëza Kabashi (2005-08-23) 23 August 2005 (age 19)10

Recent call-ups

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsLatest call-up
GK Ema Kastrati (2004-06-28) 28 June 2004 (age 20)00v. Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia, 2 December 2024
GK Besarta Leci (1993-10-14) 14 October 1993 (age 31)180v. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales, 16 July 2024

DF Viola Avduli (1999-11-22) 22 November 1999 (age 25)230v. Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia, 2 December 2024
DF Laureta Temaj (2002-06-13) 13 June 2002 (age 22)20v. Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia, 2 December 2024
DF Feride Kastrati (1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 (age 31)251v. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales, 16 July 2024
DF Gresa Berisha (1998-04-26) 26 April 1998 (age 26)20v. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales, 9 April 2024

MF Venera Rexhi (1996-02-19) 19 February 1996 (age 29)40v. Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia, 2 December 2024
MF Erjona Zani (2005-01-01) 1 January 2005 (age 20)10v. Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia, 2 December 2024
MF Besarta Hisenaj (1998-10-21) 21 October 1998 (age 26)210v. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales, 16 July 2024
MF Elizabeta Ejupi (1994-04-21) 21 April 1994 (age 30)123v. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales, 16 July 2024
MF Vanesa Hoti (1998-08-03) 3 August 1998 (age 26)60v. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales, 16 July 2024
MF Loreta Lulaj (2003-06-24) 24 June 2003 (age 21)150v. Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia, 4 June 2024

FW Modesta Uka (1999-05-23) 23 May 1999 (age 25)2911v. Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia, 2 December 2024
FW Egzonë Zeka (1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 27)70v. Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales, 16 July 2024
FW Aurona Racaj (2005-06-14) 14 June 2005 (age 19)00v. Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine, 12 June 2024PRE
FW Alba Shabani (2006-07-24) 24 July 2006 (age 18)00v. Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine, 12 June 2024PRE

Notes
  • PRE = Preliminary squad/standby.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

On 19 January 2017, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group 2 of the 2019 FIFA World Cup qualification, together with Albania, Greece and Malta. [8] On 6 April 2017, Kosovo made their debut on 2019 FIFA World Cup qualifications with a 3–2 away defeat against Albania. [14]

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
YearRoundPosPldWDLGFGASquadPldWDLGFGA
Flag of Sweden.svg 1995 Part of Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg  FR Yugoslavia
Flag of the United States.svg 1999
Flag of the United States.svg 2003 Team did not exist
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2007
Flag of Germany.svg 2011 Not a FIFA member
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2015
Flag of France.svg 2019 Did not qualify3003312
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 2023 10217835
Flag of Brazil.svg 2027 To be determinedTo be determined
Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2031 To be determinedTo be determined
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2035 To be determinedTo be determined
Total0/90000001321101147

UEFA European Championship

On 21 February 2019, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part in Group A of the UEFA Euro 2021 qualifying, together with Estonia, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey and 2019 World Cup runners-up finisher Netherlands. [9] On 30 August 2019, Kosovo made their debut on UEFA European Championship qualifying with a 2–0 home win against Turkey, which was also the team's first-ever competitive win. [10]

UEFA European Championship recordQualifying record
YearRoundPosPldWDLGFGASquad PldWDLGFGAP/RRnk
Flag of Italy.svg 1993 Part of Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg  FR Yugoslavia
Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1997
Flag of Germany.svg 2001 Team did not exist
Flag of England.svg 2005
Flag of Finland.svg 2009
Flag of Sweden.svg 2013 Not a UEFA member
Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2017 Could not enter
Flag of England.svg 2022 Did not qualify10316629
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg 2025 6006017Red Arrow Down.svg [c] 32nd
2029 To be determinedTo be determined
Total0/200000016311264632nd

UEFA Nations League

Kosovo's Nations League record
First matchFlag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 0–0 Kosovo  Flag of Kosovo.svg
(Plovdiv, Bulgaria; 26 September 2023)
Biggest winFlag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo 5–1 Bulgaria  Flag of Bulgaria.svg
(Podujevë, Kosovo; 1 December 2023)
Best result1st in 2023–24

On 2 May 2023, in Nyon, it was decided that Kosovo should be part of League C in Group 5 of the 2023–24 UEFA Nations League, together with Bulgaria and North Macedonia. [15]

UEFA Nations League record
League phaseFinals
YearLgGpPosPldWDLGFGAP/RRnkYearPosPldWDLGFGASquad
2023–24 C 5 1st4310102Green Arrow Up Darker.svg36th Flag of France.svg Flag of the Netherlands.svg Flag of Spain.svg 2024 Could not qualify
2025 C 6 To be determined 2025
Total431010236thTotal000000
Green Arrow Up Darker.svgPromoted at end of season
Steady3.svgNo movement at end of season
Red Arrow Down.svgRelegated at end of season
*Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

Other tournaments

Kosovo has so far participated in four editions of the Turkish Women's Cup, the first time was in the 2017 edition, when Kosovo lost in all three matches of this tournament against Poland (0–5), which was also her first international match as a FIFA member, against Romania (0–3) and against the host Turkey (2–4). A year later, Kosovo again participated in the 2018 edition, when they lost against France (0–6), Ukraine (0–2), draw against Kazakhstan (1–1) and win against Northern Ireland (1–0).

Head-to-head record

As of 25 February 2025

Head-to-head records are included only matches as FIFA member.

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDWin %
Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 301247−3000.00
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 220031+2100.00
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 2002113−12000.00
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 6510144+10083.33
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 200203−3000.00
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 6501184+14083.33
Flag of France.svg  France 100106−6000.00
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 100106−6000.00
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 220080+8100.00
Flag of India.svg  India 110010+1100.00
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 101011+0000.00
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 210111+0050.00
Flag of Liechtenstein.svg  Liechtenstein 220020+2100.00
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 110050+5100.00
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 100113−2000.00
Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro 110032+1100.00
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2002012−12000.00
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 200218−7000.00
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 7610163+13085.71
Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 110010+1100.00
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 3003112−11000.00
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 200208−8000.00
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 100103−3000.00
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 200208−8000.00
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 311144+0033.33
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 3003110−9000.00
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 200208−8000.00
18 Countries602752889127−38045.00

See also

Men's
Women's

Notes and references

Notes

  1. 1 2 There may be more matches or goals because some match data is missing.
  2. Caps and goals of the friendly matches against Bulgaria (25 and 28 February 2019, 10 April 2023), North Macedonia (24 and 27 June 2022), Luxembourg (9 November 2019; substitutes caps) and India (27 February 2024; substitutes caps) are missing.
  3. From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  2. Hoxha, Florent (March 2021). Futbolli Femëror Shqiptar[Albanian Womens Football] (in Albanian). Tirana: Shtëpia Botuese "ADA". ISBN   978-9928-326-47-8.
  3. "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
  4. "UEFA shqyrton në mars të vitit të ardhshëm anëtarësimin e Kosovës" [UEFA reviews in March next year Kosovo's membership] (in Albanian). Voice of America. 19 September 2015.
  5. "Football Federation of Kosovo joins UEFA". UEFA. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on August 2, 2017.
  6. "Kosovo accepted as member of Uefa after Congress vote". The Guardian . 3 May 2016.
  7. "Zyrtare: Kosova pranohet në FIFA, jemi të barabartë me të gjitha vendet e botës" [Official: Kosovo is admitted to FIFA, we are equal to all countries in the world] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 13 May 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Kosova në grup me Shqipërinë" [Kosovo in a group with Albania] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 19 January 2017.
  9. 1 2 "U hodh shorti për Evropianin e femrave" [The lot was drawn for the European women] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 21 February 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Kosova e mrekullueshme kundër Turqisë, i nis kualifikimet me fitore" [Wonderful Kosovo against Turkey, starts the qualifications with a victory] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 30 August 2019.
  11. "Nënshkruhet marrëveshja mes FFK-së dhe 'Kelme' për fanellat e Përfaqësueses së Kosovës (Foto/Video)" [Signed the agreement between FFK and 'Kelme' for the kits of Kosovo national football team (Photo/Video)] (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 5 October 2016.
  12. "FFK lidh marrëveshje me kompaninë e veshjeve sportive 'ERREA'" [FFK signs an agreement with the sportswear company 'ERREA'] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 23 February 2022.
  13. "Sermaxhaj publikon listën për dy ndeshjet e para në Ligën e Kombeve" [Sermaxhaj publishes the list for the first two matches in the Nations League] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 17 February 2025.
  14. "Kosova pëson humbje kundër Shqipërisë me autogol në minutat shtesë" [Kosovo suffers losses against Albania with an own goal in extra minutes] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 6 April 2017.
  15. "Kosova mëson kundërshtarët në Ligën e Kombeve" [Kosovo learns the opponents in the Nations League] (in Albanian). Football Federation of Kosovo. 2 May 2023.