List of Kosovo international footballers born outside Kosovo

Last updated

The list of Kosovo international footballers born outside Kosovo includes all the players who were born outside Kosovo, including the Kosovan diaspora. This has happened officially since 6 February 2013, when the national team was given permission by FIFA to play against FIFA member associations in international friendlies. [1] The first non-Albanian international football player, Adis Nurković was born in Velika Kladuša, SFR Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina) and he represented Kosovo during the 2017. [2] The majority of these players were born in Switzerland.

Contents

List of countries where players were born*
CountryTotal
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 25
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 21
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 10
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 5
Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg  Serbia and Montenegro
(now Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia)
4
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 3
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 2
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1
Flag of England.svg  England 1
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 1
Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg  Yugoslavia
(now Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina)
1
* = Only eligible players are included.

The following players:

  1. have been called up or have played at least one full international match with national senior team.
  2. were born outside Kosovo.
  3. This list includes players who have dual citizenship with Kosovo and/or have become naturalized Kosovan citizens.
  4. This list includes only players who have played with Kosovo from the first official international match against Haiti, [3] and until their last match against Comoros, on 9 June 2025. [4]

The players are ordered per modern-day country of birth or if the country at the time of birth differs from the current, this is indicated with a subsection.

Players

Below is the list of the 67 (63 eligible + 4 ineligible) players who were born outside Kosovo.

Capped players

As of 9 June 2025 [5]
NamePlace of birthOriginPos.CapsGoalsFirst capLast capRef
OpponentDateOpponentDate
Fidan Aliti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Binningen Miratovac DF 601Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 11 June 2017Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 20 March 2025 [P 1]
Valon Berisha Flag of Sweden.svg Malmö Podujevë MF 494Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 5 September 2016Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 20 March 2025 [P 2]
Arijanet Muric Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Schlieren Rožaje GK 430Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 20 November 2018Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 20 March 2025 [P 3]
Edon Zhegrova Flag of Germany.svg Herford Dobrajë e Madhe MF 425Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 24 March 2018Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 18 November 2024 [P 4]
Florent Hadergjonaj Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Langnau Deçan DF 381Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 10 June 2019Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 9 June 2025 [P 5]
Leart Paqarada Flag of Germany.svg Bremen Podujevë DF 361Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 7 September 2014Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 6 June 2025 [P 6]
Besar Halimi Flag of Germany.svg Frankfurt Malishevë, Gjilan MF 343Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 10 October 2015Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 14 November 2021 [P 7]
Arbër Zeneli Flag of Sweden.svg Säter Mitrovica MF 339Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 6 October 2016Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 8]
Florent Muslija Flag of Germany.svg Achern Pristina MF 321Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 7 September 2019Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 9 June 2025 [P 9]
Hekuran Kryeziu Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Luzern Rogaçicë MF 300Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 13 November 2015Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 19 June 2023 [P 10]
Elbasan Rashani Flag of Sweden.svg Värnamo Vushtrri FW 295Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 13 November 2015Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 5 June 2024 [P 11]
Herolind Shala Flag of Norway.svg Porsgrunn Drenas MF 270Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 6 October 2016Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 14 November 2021 [P 12]
Zymer Bytyqi Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Sint-Truiden Lipjan MF 261Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 5 March 2014 Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 18 November 2024 [P 13]
Ibrahim Drešević Flag of Sweden.svg Fuxerna, Lilla Edet Tuzi DF 250Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar 10 October 2019Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 12 September 2023 [P 14]
Benjamin Kololli Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Aigle Lipjan MF 244Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 12 November 2016Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 5 June 2022 [P 15]
Betim Fazliji Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Serbia.svg Vranje Miratovac DF 220Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 11 November 2020Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 12 October 2023 [P 16]
Idriz Voca Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Stans Mitrovica MF 150Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 24 March 2018Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 4 June 2021 [P 17]
Ilir Krasniqi Flag of Germany.svg Bocholt Kosovo Polje MF 120Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 27 September 2022Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 6 June 2025 [P 18]
Mirlind Kryeziu Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Malisheva DF 100Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 2 September 2021Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 19]
Blendi Idrizi Flag of Germany.svg Bonn Gjilan MF 90Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 1 June 2021Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 5 June 2024 [P 20]
Alban Pnishi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Gjakova DF 80Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 13 November 2015Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 9 October 2017 [P 21]
Fisnik Asllani Flag of Germany.svg Berlin Pristina FW 71Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 6 September 2024Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 9 June 2025 [P 22]
Emir Sahiti Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Serbia.svg Zemun Medveđa MF 71Ulster Banner.svg  Northern Ireland 9 June 2022Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 23 March 2025 [P 23]
Donis Avdijaj Flag of Germany.svg Osnabrück Istog FW 62Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 24 March 2017Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 17 November 2018 [P 24]
Astrit Selmani Flag of Sweden.svg Malmö Mitrovica FW 51Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 9 October 2021Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 24 March 2022 [P 25]
Flamur Kastrati Flag of Norway.svg Oslo Deçan FW 50Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 5 March 2014 Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 12 January 2020 [P 26]
Avni Pepa Flag of Norway.svg Kristiansand Peja DF 50Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 5 March 2014 Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 6 October 2016 [P 27]
Toni Domgjoni Flag of Croatia.svg Koprivnica Bishtazhin MF 41Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 24 March 2022Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 12 June 2022 [P 28]
Kreshnik Hajrizi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Sierre Prizren DF 40Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 19 November 2022Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 18 November 2023 [P 29]
Destan Bajselmani Flag of the Netherlands.svg Enschede Suva Reka DF 40Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 1 June 2021Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 30]
Eroll Zejnullahu Flag of Germany.svg Berlin Podujevë MF 40Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 25 May 2014Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 31]
Valmir Sulejmani Flag of Germany.svg Großburgwedel Gjilan FW 40Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 10 October 2015Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino 1 June 2021 [P 32]
Altin Zeqiri Flag of Finland.svg Espoo Vushtrri MF 31Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 12 October 2023Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 21 November 2023 [P 33]
Imran Bunjaku Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Gjilan MF 31Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 25 May 2014Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 10 October 2015 [P 34]
Vesel Demaku Flag of Austria.svg Altenmarkt an der Triesting Drenas MF 30Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 20 March 2025Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 6 June 2025 [P 35]
Amir Saipi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Schaffhausen Prizren GK 30Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 12 October 2024Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 6 June 2025 [P 36]
Lum Rexhepi Flag of Finland.svg Turku Ferizaj DF 30Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 5 March 2014 Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 3 June 2016 [P 37]
Florian Haxha Flag of Germany.svg Berlin MF 20Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 6 June 2025Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 9 June 2025 [P 38]
Ismet Lushaku Flag of Sweden.svg Eskilstuna Pristina MF 20Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 12 January 2020Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 9 June 2025 [P 39]
Arianit Ferati Flag of Germany.svg Stuttgart Mitrovica MF 20Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 16 November 2022Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 19 November 2022 [P 40]
Lavdrim Hajrulahu Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne Miratovac DF 20Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 8 June 2021Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 41]
Liridon Balaj Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg La Chaux-de-Fonds Peja MF 20Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 8 June 2021Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 42]
Mersim Asllani Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Aigle Gjakova MF 20Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 8 June 2021Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 43]
Gjelbrim Taipi Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Serbia.svg Bujanovac Veliki Trnovac MF 20Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 27 March 2018Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 29 May 2018 [P 44]
Alban Bunjaku Flag of England.svg Romford MF 20Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 21 May 2014Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 25 May 2014 [P 45]
Bledian Krasniqi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zurich Gjilan MF 10Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros , 9 June 2025 [P 46]
Andi Hoti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Uster Ratkoc DF 10Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania , 18 November 2024 [P 47]
Eliot Bujupi Flag of Germany.svg Böblingen Arllat FW 10Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus , 9 September 2024 [P 48]
Art Smakaj Flag of Croatia.svg Zagreb Drenas MF 10Flag of Norway.svg  Norway , 5 June 2024 [P 49]
Alban Ajdini Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Geneva Veliki Trnovac MF 10Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus , 21 November 2023 [P 50]
Ismajl Beka Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Frauenfeld DF 10Flag of Romania.svg  Romania , 12 September 2023 [P 51]
Jozef Pukaj Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Riehen Istog GK 10Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands , 19 November 2022 [P 52]
Jetmir Haliti Flag of Sweden.svg Malmö Mitrovica DF 10Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia , 16 November 2022 [P 53]
Eris Abedini Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Sorengo Komogllavë MF 10Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia , 16 November 2022 [P 54]
Lorik Emini Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zug Gjilan MF 10Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino , 1 June 2021 [P 55]
Leotrim Bekteshi Flag of Germany.svg Berlin Mitrovica DF 10Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden , 12 January 2020 [P 56]
Ylldren Ibrahimaj Flag of Norway.svg Arendal MF 10Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden , 12 January 2020 [P 57]
Arbenit Xhemajli Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Brugg Ferizaj DF 10Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar , 10 October 2019 [P 58]
Shkelqim Demhasaj Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Schaffhausen Carrabreg i Poshtëm FW 10Flag of Malta.svg  Malta , 17 November 2018 [P 59]
Jetmir Krasniqi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Nyon Klina DF 10Flag of Albania.svg  Albania , 29 May 2018 [P 60]
Bledar Hajdini Flag of Germany.svg Fürstenfeldbruck Podujevë GK 10Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia , 13 November 2017 [P 61]
Suad Sahiti Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Flag of Serbia.svg Belgrade Medveđa MF 10Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia , 13 November 2017 [P 62]
Adis Nurković Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Velika Kladuša Pristina (by marriage) GK 10Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey , 11 June 2017 [P 63]

Ineligible players

NamePlace of birthOriginPos.CapsGoalsFirst cap or call-upLast cap or call-upRef
OpponentDateOpponentDate
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Uran Bislimi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Basel Shtime MF 21Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 16 November 2022Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 19 November 2022 [P 64]
Flag of Finland.svg Agon Sadiku Flag of Finland.svg Raahe Ferizaj FW 20Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 16 November 2022Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg  Faroe Islands 19 November 2022 [P 65]
Flag of Germany.svg Enis Bunjaki Flag of Germany.svg Offenbach am Main Gjilan FW 20Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 25 May 2014Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 7 September 2014 [P 66]
Flag of Albania.svg Albion Avdijaj Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Zürich Gjakova FW 20Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 21 May 2014Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 25 May 2014 [P 67]

References

  1. "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
  2. "Kosova bëhet me lojtarin e parë të huaj" [Kosovo becomes the first foreign player] (in Albanian). Koha Ditore. 30 September 2016.
  3. "Kosovo vs Haiti, 5 March 2014". eu-football.info. 5 March 2014.
  4. "Kosovo vs Comoros, 9 June 2025". eu-football.info. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  5. "Kosovo international footballers of all-time". eu-football.info. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
Player profiles
  1. "Fidan Aliti". eu-football.info. 20 March 2025.
  2. "Valon Berisha". eu-football.info. 20 March 2025.
  3. "Arijanet Muriqi". eu-football.info. 20 March 2025.
  4. "Edon Zhegrova". eu-football.info. 18 November 2024.
  5. "Florent Hadergjonaj". eu-football.info. 9 June 2025.
  6. "Leart Paqarada". eu-football.info. 6 June 2025.
  7. "Besar Halimi". eu-football.info. 14 November 2021.
  8. "Arbër Zeneli". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  9. "Florent Muslija". eu-football.info. 9 June 2025.
  10. "Hekuran Kryeziu". eu-football.info. 19 June 2023.
  11. "Elbasan Rashani". eu-football.info. 5 June 2024.
  12. "Herolind Shala". eu-football.info. 14 November 2021.
  13. "Zymer Bytyqi". eu-football.info. 18 November 2024.
  14. "Ibrahim Dreshaj". eu-football.info. 12 September 2023.
  15. "Benjamin Kololli". eu-football.info. 5 June 2022.
  16. "Betim Fazliji". eu-football.info. 12 October 2023.
  17. "Idriz Voca". eu-football.info. 4 June 2021.
  18. "Ilir Krasniqi". eu-football.info. 6 June 2025.
  19. "Mirlind Kryeziu". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  20. "Blendi Idrizi". eu-football.info. 5 June 2024.
  21. "Alban Pnishi". eu-football.info. 9 October 2017.
  22. "Fisnik Asllani". eu-football.info. 9 June 2025.
  23. "Emir Sahiti". eu-football.info. 23 March 2025.
  24. "Donis Avdijaj". eu-football.info. 17 November 2018.
  25. "Astrit Selmani". eu-football.info. 24 March 2022.
  26. "Flamur Kastrati". eu-football.info. 12 January 2020.
  27. "Avni Pepa". eu-football.info. 6 October 2016.
  28. "Toni Domgjoni". eu-football.info. 12 June 2022.
  29. "Kreshnik Hajrizi". eu-football.info. 18 November 2023.
  30. "Destan Bajselmani". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  31. "Eroll Zejnullahu". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  32. "Valmir Sulejmani". eu-football.info. 1 June 2021.
  33. "Altin Zeqiri". eu-football.info. 21 November 2023.
  34. "Imran Bunjaku". eu-football.info. 10 October 2015.
  35. "Vesel Demaku". eu-football.info. 6 June 2025.
  36. "Amir Saipi". eu-football.info. 6 June 2025.
  37. "Lum Rexhepi". eu-football.info. 3 June 2016.
  38. "Florian Haxha". eu-football.info. 9 June 2025.
  39. "Ismet Lushaku". eu-football.info. 9 June 2025.
  40. "Arianit Ferati". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  41. "Lavdrim Hajrullahu". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  42. "Liridon Balaj". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  43. "Mersim Asllani". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  44. "Gjelbrim Taipi". eu-football.info. 29 May 2018.
  45. "Alban Bunjaku". eu-football.info. 25 May 2014.
  46. "Bledian Krasniqi". eu-football.info. 9 June 2025.
  47. "Andi Hoti". eu-football.info. 18 November 2024.
  48. "Eliot Bujupi". eu-football.info. 9 September 2024.
  49. "Art Smakaj". eu-football.info. 5 June 2024.
  50. "Alban Ajdini". eu-football.info. 21 November 2023.
  51. "Ismajl Beka". eu-football.info. 12 September 2023.
  52. "Jozef Pukaj". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  53. "Jetmir Haliti". eu-football.info. 16 November 2022.
  54. "Eris Abedini". eu-football.info. 16 November 2022.
  55. "Lorik Emini". eu-football.info. 1 June 2021.
  56. "Leotrim Bekteshi". eu-football.info. 12 January 2020.
  57. "Ylldren Ibrahimaj". eu-football.info. 12 January 2020.
  58. "Arbenit Xhemajli". eu-football.info. 10 October 2019.
  59. "Shkelqim Demhasaj". eu-football.info. 17 November 2018.
  60. "Jetmir Krasniqi". eu-football.info. 29 May 2018.
  61. "Bledar Hajdini". eu-football.info. 13 November 2017.
  62. "Suad Sahiti". eu-football.info. 13 November 2017.
  63. "Adis Nurković". eu-football.info. 11 June 2017.
  64. "Uran Bislimi". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  65. "Agon Sadiku". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  66. "Enis Bunjaki". eu-football.info. 7 September 2014.
  67. "Albion Avdijaj". eu-football.info. 25 May 2014.