Albania’s provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take on Poland and, if they progress, either Ukraine or Sweden in their bid to secure a place in the North American tournament.
The Albanian side enters the World Cup qualification play-offs hoping to capture one of UEFA’s remaining four spots at the competition.
A successful qualification would mark Albania’s first-ever World Cup finals appearance, as they have previously never finished higher than third in any qualification group.
By finishing above second seeds Serbia and claiming the runner-up position behind England, Albania earned a chance to fight for qualification. Their campaign in the play-offs will begin with a semi-final clash against Poland.
Should Albania overcome Poland, they will meet either Sweden or Ukraine in the play-off final. The winner of that contest will join Group F at the 2026 World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia.
Albania made their debut at a major international tournament at Euro 2016, where they narrowly missed out on advancing as one of the best third-placed teams after defeats to Switzerland and France, followed by a victory over Romania.
At Euro 2024, Albania were drawn into a challenging group featuring Italy and Spain, suffering defeats to both but earning a dramatic late draw against Croatia.
Below is the squad selected by head coach Sylvinho for the March international fixtures against Poland and, if all goes to plan, a play-off final thereafter.
Goalkeepers: Mario Dajsinani (Egnatia), Elhan Kastrati (Eintracht Braunschweig), Thomas Strakosha (AEK Athens)
Defenders: Arlind Ajeti (Bodrum), Naser Aliji (Dinamo City), Iván Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Klisman Cake (Akhmat Grozny), Berat Gjimshiti (Atalanta), Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Ardian Ismajli (Torino), Mario Mitaj (Al-Ittihad), Bujar Pllana (Lechia Gdańsk), Stavro Pilo (AEK Athens)
Midfielders: Kristjan Asllani (Beşiktaş), Nedim Bajrami (Rangers), Nazmi Gripshi (Rubin Kazan), Arbër Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb), Qazim Laçi (Çaykur Rizespor), Anis Mehmeti (Ipswich Town), Adrion Pajaziti (Hajduk Split), Ylber Ramadani (Lecce), Juljan Shehu (Widzew Łódź)
Forwards: Jasir Asani (Esteghlal), Armando Broja (Burnley), Ernest Muçi (Trabzonspor), Ľubomír Tupta (AE Larissa), Myrto Uzuni (Austin FC)
(*) if qualification successful
March 26, 2026: World Cup qualification play-off: Poland vs Albania, Warsaw, Poland
March 31, 2026: World Cup qualification play-off or friendly: Ukraine or Sweden vs Albania, Valencia, Spain or Solna, Sweden
March 21, 2025: World Cup qualification: England 2–0 Albania, London, England
March 24, 2025: World Cup qualification: Albania 3–0 Andorra, Tirana, Albania
June 7, 2025: World Cup qualification: Albania 0–0 Serbia, Tirana, Albania
June 10, 2025: World Cup qualification: Latvia 1–1 Albania, Riga, Latvia
September 4, 2025: Friendly: Gibraltar 0–1 Albania, Europa Point, Gibraltar
September 9, 2025: World Cup qualification: Albania 1–0 Latvia, Tirana, Albania
October 11, 2025: World Cup qualification: Serbia 0–1 Albania, Leskovac, Serbia
October 14, 2025: Friendly: Albania 4–2 Jordan, Tirana, Albania
November 13, 2025: World Cup qualification: Andorra 0–1 Albania, Encamp, Andorra
November 16, 2025: World Cup qualification: Albania 0–2 England, Tirana, Albania
The former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester City left-back, Sylvinho, took charge of Albania ahead of their Euro 2024 qualification campaign and has proven to be an effective leader for the national side.
England were the only team to claim all six points against Albania during qualification, with the Albanians’ decisive 1–0 win in Serbia ensuring their play-off spot with two games remaining.
Having previously managed Lyon and Corinthians, Sylvinho now aims to guide Albania to their first-ever World Cup. As a player, he represented Brazil six times between 2000 and 2001.
Midfielder Kristjan Asllani has been on loan at Torino and Beşiktaş this season after featuring as a squad player in Inter Milan’s unsuccessful treble bid last term, which included a late substitute appearance in the Champions League final.
With 38 international caps, Asllani is both one of Albania’s youngest and most experienced players. Apart from missing a friendly against Gibraltar in September, he has played every minute for his country over the past two and a half years.
His contributions have been pivotal — he netted the only goals in victories over Latvia and Andorra, results that secured Albania’s place in the play-offs.
