Albanian Fan Takes Loans to Follow National Team against England

 This Friday, March 21st, at 20:45, Albania and England will face off at Wembley Stadium in a crucial Group K qualifier for the 2026 World Cup.

 Ariglon Pali

Among the passionate Albanian fans is Ariglon Pali, who shared his story with Euronews Albania about the sacrifices he’s made to follow the national team — even taking out loans to fund his trips.

"There have been times when I’ve taken loans to see matches. We’ve borrowed money from friends too. It’s not just me; all the guys are like this. When there’s a match, that becomes the priority. As soon as the schedule comes out, we start thinking about how to gather the money to go," Pali explained.

Unfortunately for this upcoming match in London, Pali revealed that he couldn’t get a visa, despite many fellow fans securing theirs.

When asked about his expenses for following the national team abroad, Pali offered insight into his experiences. "If we’re talking about traveling for matches, I usually buy plane tickets two months in advance — the flight itself is the cheapest part. My first trip was to Iceland. I spent over €1,000 for five days because it’s an expensive country. In closer places like Poland, the costs are lower, around €200-300, especially if we organize group travel by bus," he added.

Pali’s dedication mirrors that of many Albanian fans who stop at nothing to support their national team, proving that for them, football isn’t just a game — it’s a way of life.