The young Republic of Kosovo has never qualified for a major football tournament. The playoff duel against Turkey on Tuesday (8:45 p.m., live ticker at sportschau.de) in Pristina is therefore the biggest game in the association’s history.
The impressive series of successes of the Kosovo national football team has long since brought the government of the small republic from the Western Balkans into action. After the next win in the playoff semi-final (4:3) against Slovakia, Prime Minister Albin Kurti opened the state coffers and provided the team with 500,000 euros. The head of state then went one step further.
If the country’s footballers win the final against Turkey, there will be a decent bonus payment for players, coaches and all team members.
Head of state releases one million euros
“If we qualify for the World Cup, we will allocate another million euros for our national team. We promise today that if we qualify, we will distribute unimaginable rewards for success at the World Cup in the United States of America“, Kurti is quoted in the newspaper “Koha Ditore”, the most important independent media in Kosovo.
Qualification for the 2026 World Cup would coincide with the tenth anniversary of Kosovo’s entry into UEFA and FIFA. It was only at the beginning of May 2016 that the Kosovo association was admitted to UEFA as the 55th member. A short time later, he was accepted into FIFA.
Fisnik Asllani celebrates with Dion Gallapeni
Impressive series of successes
Taking part in a World Cup tournament would be a huge success for the youngest country in Europe, which was created after the breakup of Yugoslavia and only gained independence in 2008. The country’s status under international law is still controversial; Kosovo is a de facto state.
The political situation should take a back seat in the “Game of the Year” in the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in the capital Pristina. The Kosovars, nicknamed the Dardan Islands – named after the tribe that lived on the Balkan Peninsula in ancient times – go into the game against Turkey as underdogs. The team’s recent series of successes is impressive.
Franco Foda as the father of success
Before the goal-rich win against the Slovaks, the team really shook up World Cup qualifying group B and finished second behind Switzerland with eleven points, but well ahead of Slovenia and Sweden. The Turks face a team that has only lost one of its last nine games (0-4 against Switzerland), but celebrated two wins against Sweden.
The father of the most recent positive run is a German trainer: Franco Foda. The Mainz native took over Kosovo’s national team just over two years ago. Foda had previously completed two stages that ended in failure.
With the Austrian national team he unexpectedly missed qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and was subsequently released. The former Bundesliga player then signed for Swiss champions FC Zurich, but failed to qualify for the Champions League. This was also followed by expulsion.
On the road to success: Kosovo coach Franco Foda
Lots of Bundesliga in the team
Now Foda can set a monument for himself with Kosovo. He also relies on some current and former Bundesliga players. Kosovo’s shooting star is striker Fisnik Asllani from TSG Hoffenheim, who has already scored four goals in 13 international matches. His strike partner is the experienced Vedat Muriqi from RCD Mallorca.
In addition to Veldin Hodza (Rubin Kazan), Florent Muslija from Fortuna Düsseldorf and Elvis Rexhbecaj from FC Augsburg make up the midfield line. Also in the squad are Milot Rashica, who once hunted for goals for Werder Bremen, and ex-Düsseldorf player Valon Berisha.
From them, Foda has formed a team that could pose a threat to the Turks. Qualifying for the World Cup would definitely send the whole country into ecstasy.
