The Albanian national football team has learned the opponents it will face during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The group includes England, Serbia, Latvia, and Andorra, presenting a mix of challenges and opportunities for the “Kuqezinjtë” (The Red and Black).
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| Albania's schedule of matches for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers |
Matchups and Historical Records
England
Albania kicks off the campaign in March against England and concludes it in November 2025 with another game against the "Three Lions." Historically, the odds have not been in Albania's favor. All previous encounters with England occurred in World Cup qualifying campaigns—Italy 1990, South Korea–Japan 2002, and Qatar 2022—and ended in defeats for Albania.
Serbia
Albania and Serbia have met only twice before, during the qualifiers for the UEFA Euro 2016 in France. The results were evenly split, with each team securing one win. These matches were highly charged, and the upcoming games promise to be equally intense.
Latvia
Latvia and Albania share a unique history of results. In five matches, the two teams have never gone beyond a draw. These games include three distinct types of ties: 0-0 (twice), 1-1, 2-2, and 3-3, making their matchups unpredictable and competitive.
Andorra
Albania holds a favorable record against Andorra, having played seven times. The Reds have achieved five victories, one draw, and only one defeat. These statistics position Albania as the favorite in this matchup.
A Tough Road Ahead
Facing strong teams like England and Serbia will test Albania's resilience, while matches against Latvia and Andorra offer opportunities to secure crucial points. The campaign is set to be a challenging but exciting journey for Albania as they aim for their first-ever World Cup qualification.
Fans and analysts will closely follow the team’s performance as the qualifiers unfold, hoping for historic results that could bring Albania closer to the world stage.