Albania national football team FIFA world ranking, squad players list, captain and coach

Albania national football team FIFA world ranking, squad players list, captain and coach

Have a look at the Albania football team FIFA world ranking and players list

Albania will aim to advance beyond the group stage at Euro 2024, a dream they’ll chase this June.

Having qualified for the UEFA European Championship twice, in 2016 and 2024, Albania secured their spots by finishing in the top two of their qualifying groups.

Albania, in 2016, had marked their debut in the finals of the major tournament.

Now, they are set for their third attempt at Euro 2024, which is why, the focus shifts to who will make Sylvinho’s squad. Let’s take a quick look.

Albania national football team FIFA world ranking, squad players list, captain and coach for Euro 2024

Berat Djimsiti is the captain of the team while Brazillian Sylvinho is the captain. The team is ranked 66th in the world.

Albania Expected Squad

Goalkeepers

Etrit Berisha, with his experience, will likely be Albania’s first-choice goalkeeper.

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Thomas Strakosha from Brentford is expected to compete for this spot, with Simon Simoni and Elhan Kastrati as backups. Other names includes:

Simon Simoni: Frankfurt
Elhan Kastrati: Cittadella
Thomas Strakosha: Brentford
Etrit Berisha: Empoli

Defenders

Ardian Ismajli, Mario Mitaj, Ivan Balliu, and Elseid Hysaj are set to form a solid defensive line. Unless injuries occur, these four are guaranteed to be in the squad. Meanwhile, reports also suggests a few names as:

Iván Balliu: Rayo Vallecano
Mario Mitaj: Lokomotiv Moscow
Elseid Hysaj: Lazio
Adrian Ismajli: Empoli
Arlind Ajeti: CFR Cluj-Napoca
Naser Aliji: Voluntari

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Midfielders

Kristjan Asllani and Nedim Bajrami are favorites for the midfield positions. Qazim Laci and Yiber Ramadani are also expected to be part of the final squad. However, there names which are making waves includes:

Ernest Muci: Besiktas
Klaus Gjasula: Darmstadt
Medon Berisha: Lecce
Nedim Bajrami: Sassuolo
Qazim Laçi: Sparta Prague

Forwards

Sokol Cikalleshi was initially expected to be a key player but announced his retirement after being left out of the provisional squad. Rey Manaj, Armando Broja, and Mirlind Daku will compete for starting positions. Other names are as:

Rey Manaj: Sivasspor
Jasir Asani: Gwangju FC
Taulant Seferi: Baniyas
Armando Broja: Fulham
Arbër Hoxha: Dinamo Zagreb

Expected XI

As per reports, the Head coach Sylvinho is likely to use a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Berisha in goal.

Reports suggests that the defensive lineup will most likely include likes of Ismajli, Mitaj, Balliu, and Hysaj. In midfield we can expect, Laci, Asllani, and Bajrami are front-runners. Moreover, Broja, Daku, and Manaj are expected to lead the attack.

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Albania (4-2-3-1): Berisha; Ismajli, Mitaj, Balliu, Hysaj; Laci, Asllani, Bajrami; Broja, Daku, Manaj.

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