Association football has been played in Albania for over century and is today one of the country's most popular sports. Domestic clubs and a national championship, along with a national team, were established in the 1920s and 1930s. Since the second half of the 20th century, Albania has been a key component of European football.
Early developments Christian missionaries, from countries where football was already widespread, were witnessed playing football whilst visiting the city of Shkodër in the early 20th century. The game proved popular with the locals and quickly spread throughout the country. Vllaznia was the first football club to be established in 1920, and on 6 June 1930 the Football Association of Albania (FSHF) was founded. Skënderbeu is the oldest football club in Albania and it was funded at the year 1909.
International
1930–45: Pre-history of the Albanian National Football Team Although it never played any matches, the Albania national football team existed before the Albanian Football Association (FSHF) was created in 1930. This is evinced by the registration of the Albanian team in the 1929–31 Balkan Cup a year before the creation of the FSHF. The FSHF was founded on 6 June 1930, and Albania joined FIFA during a congress held between 12 and 16 June, although it never played any matches. Albania was invited to play in the 1934 World Cup, but did not take part due to logistical problems.
1946: Champion of the Balkans
The early years saw a notably successful Balkan Cup run in 1946 as Albania participated for the first time at the Balkan Cup. Albania won their group over favourites Yugoslavia by earning a better goal difference. Albania played also its first ever international match against Yugoslavia in 1946, which ended in a 3–2 home defeat despite an early 2–0 lead at the Qemal Stafa Stadium. Despite that defeat, they defeated Bulgaria with 3–1 in the next match, Albania won the tournament by defeating Romania 1–0 in the final. Albania initially was not expected to participate in the tournament, but the withdrawal of Greece offered Albania a chance to join in the re-established post-war cup.
Winning stamp
Albania historic squad
Coach: Ljubiša Broćić The following players were called up to participate in the tournament.
Caps and goals as before start of the tournament, otherwise after the match against Montenegro on 22 September 1946.
Balkan Cup 1946 results
Table
1964: In the round of 16 at the 1964 European Nations' Cup for Spain
Albania waited until 1962 to compete in a Euro Cup competition and it was so far the only time Albania was between the best 16 teams of the Continent, the reason being Albania got past the first leg as Greece, for political reasons forfeited the games winning both matches 3-0 and 0-3 and 6–0 on aggregate. Albania beat Denmark in the second leg in the round of 16 thanks to an early goal from Panajot Pano. Despite that win Albanian could not progress further as they lost the first leg with 4–0 away from home. At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe. It is so far the most successful campaign for Albania's during the past.
1966-1968 Upsetting Northern Ireland and West Germany during the FIFA and Euro's qualifications
Albania took part in the qualifiers for the 1966 World Cup in England, with Northern Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland drawn in their group. Albania's only point in the group came from a 1–1 home draw to Northern Ireland in Tirana, which denied Northern Ireland a place in the Finals. In UEFA Euro 1968 qualification, Albania had a 0–0 home draw with West Germany that denied the Germans participation in the final tournament. During this day their only non Participation during an UEFA Euro competition. The Germans called it the "Schmach von Tirana", this match is known to this day in Germany as the worst result ever in German Football history.
1964-1972: Playoff attempts during the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Munich
Albania participated for the first time in football at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the men's qualification tournament. They faced Bulgaria in the preliminary round, losing both matches, in close games, in the process. They participated for the second and last time ever at the 1972 Summer Olympics in which they faced Romania at the Men's European Qualifiers in the playoffs. Albania lost both matches close with 2–1 away despite an equalizer of Medin Zhega in the first leg. They would lose once again with 1–2 in the second leg despite a leading goal from Panajot Pano. So far their last time participating for any Olympic Games in Football.
1972-1974: Disappointing campaigns for Albania during the 1970s
In their UEFA Euro 1972 qualifying they faced in Group 8: West Germany, Poland and Turkey. Albania had a bad start during the campaign, as they lost their first three matches. Poland 3-0 away, Turkey away 2-1 although they were able to equalize with a goal by Astrit Ziu. Their third loss in a row came against Germany in a hard fought match, the Germans won just 0-1 with a goal from Gerd Müller. In the next three matches Albania were able to improve significant, as they were able to draw at the Qemal Stafa Stadium in a draw against Poland 1-1 thanks to an equalizer by Medin Zhega, earning Albania's first point during the qualification. Their next match was a loss against the Germans in the Wildparkstadion in which Netzer and Jürgen Grabowski scored the goals. In their last match they faced Turkey at home. In which the Albanians showed an impressive performance beating turkey 3-0 by two goals from Përnaska and one by Panajot Pano to secure Albania's first and only win during this qualification, in which Albania finished last in the Group with 3 Points but with 5 goals scored and nine conceded during the Qualification.
1980-1984: Tough return to UEFA and FIFA competitions
After six years of virtually no international matches, Albania managed to return to international football, participating in the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification. In Group 1, Albania managed to end above last place, which Finland got instead. They only win came in September 1980 against Finland thanks to the goals of Sefedin Braho and Millan Baçi. In the 1984 European Championship qualifiers, Albania finished in last place in their group of five teams. On the other hand, Albania had some impressive results against bigger teams. They lost 0–1 away to Turkey with the goal being scored in the 86th minute. In the next two games, Albania tied Northern Ireland to a scoreless draw and lost 1–2 to Germany, both at home. In the last three matches, Albania tied Turkey in the Qemal Stafa Stadium and lost 2–1 to Austria in Tirana. The last game of the competition was an away game to Germany. Albania went ahead 0–1 with a goal by Genc Tomorri. However, they were tied one minute later, and after Genc Tomorri was sent off by the referee after a simulation of Rudi Völler, Albania had to play for 60 minutes with one man down. Eventually Albania lost 2–1 with the last goal being scored in the 79th minute.Ndeshjet e pashlyeshme që çuan te "Drama e Trier-it"… Panorama Sport
1986: Near-qualification for the World Cup in Mexico
In the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification Albania faced Belgium, Poland and their rivals Greece. Despite their first loss away from home against Belgium, 3–1, despite an equalizer from Bedri Omuri. Albania could draw against Poland away with 2-2 scoring their first point. After that, Albania famously beat Belgium, at home, 2–0 in the Qemal Stafa Stadium. The goals were scored by Mirel Josa and Arben Minga securing Albania their first and only win in this qualification. It was their most successful qualification attempted during the "Enver Hoxha era" in the FIFA World Cup qualification, finishing third above Greece but behind Belgium and Poland in the process.
1991–99: Transition years
Albania managed to get impressive results against Germany during this campaign with Germany winning both matches only by 1-2 and 2–1. At home Hysen Zmijani were able to score an equalizer against the future UEFA Euro 1996 winners. Away in Germany, Albania once more lost close to Germany with a 2–1 defeat. Albania finished the campaign in the 5th place with 2 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses, Albania were able to beat Moldova) twice at home with 3-0 and away with 2–3 in an international qualifying tournament for the first time ever.
In the 1998 World Cup, Albania was drawn in a 6-team group which included Germany, Portugal, Ukraine, Northern Ireland and Armenia, Albania finished last with 4 points, but showed some respective results against the bigger teams. Their two matches with Germany saw them lose 2–3 at neutral ground and 3–4 in Hannover, taking the lead in both games. Albania got a 1–0 win against Northern Ireland and a 1–1 tie against Armenia. Despite those results they finished last in their Group.
In a relatively easy group, Albania only won once at home against Georgia. However, they memorably drew Greece 0–0 at home, Norway 2–2 and Latvia 0–0 (both away). Albania also drew Latvia 3–3 at home. All the other matches were narrowly lost.
2000–05: Slow revolution under Hans Peter Briegel for Albania
After a loss to Finland, Albania won over Greece 2–0 with an own goal and a late goal of Ervin Fakaj. However, after that win, another 6 losses followed for Albania, which brought the Albanian Football Federation to think about hiring a foreign coach, 33 years after the last foreign coach, Luznikov, had led Albania in a Moscow tournament in 1959. After that they Appointed than Armando Duka as the new President of the Albanian Football Association. changing so the history of Albania by hiring mostly foreign coaches during his tenure.
After a poor start in which Albania would draw at home against Switzerland with 1–1 by a goal from Edvin Murati but lose in the next match away against Russia with 4-1 despite an earlier equalizer scored by Klodian Duro Albania sacked his manager Giuseppe Dossena to replace him with German Hans-Peter Briegel for the following match against Russia in the Loro Boriçi Stadium in Shkodër. In which the Albanians won deservedly with 3-1 through goals from Altin Rraklli, Altin Lala and Igli Tare to secure Hans-Peter Briegel in his debut match, as a manager his maiden win for Albania. He led Albania to an undefeated run at home matches by drawing against Republic of Ireland 0–0 and beating in the last match Georgia 3–1 by goals from Besnik Hasi, Igli Tare and striker Alban Bushi. Despite the good results, Albania finished the group in the penultimate spot with eight points. Away Albania could not score any points, but managed to score 4 goals. Missing close out to the Playoffs stage by six points.
Two months after Greece beat Portugal to win the European Championship, Albania defeated Greece 2–1 at home by two quick goals from Edvin Murati and Adrian Aliaj, denting the Greeks' possibility to qualify. As the Albanians leading for the table for the first time ever in a qualification after this match. So far Albania's best ever win against their rivals Greece. Albania went on to disappoint by losing to Georgia away and Denmark at home, before returning to winning ways by beating Kazakhstan 0–1 with a goal from Alban Bushi. Then, Albania played Ukraine, Turkey, and Greece, losing all three matches. Later Albania beat Georgia 3–2 by two goals from Igli Tare and one from Ervin Skela as well as beating Kazakhstan with 2–1 by goals from Florian Myrtaj and striker Erjon Bogdani. The last positive result for Albania in this qualification would be a 2–2 away draw with Ukraine where Bogdani scoring two surprising goals. At the end, Albania got 13 points, and four wins, they surpassed for the first time in the history two nation's in the qualifying standings.
2008–12: No improvements under coach Otto Barić, Haan and Kuźe