Although it never played any matches, the Albanian national football team existed before the Albanian Football Association was created in 1930. This is witnessed by the registration of the Albanian team in the Balkan Cup tournament of 1929-1931, which started in 1929, a year before the creation of the association. Albania, however, eventually retired from the competition, before the competition itself started. FSHF was founded on 6 June 1930, and, in 1932, Albania joined FIFA (during the congress 12 June — 16 June), however no national team matches were registered until the first international match, a debut against Yugoslavia in 1946. In 1954, Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA.
|
Balkan Cup 1946: Albania is Champion of the Balkans
The early years oversaw a notably successful Balkan Cup in the 1946 campaign. Albania won the cup after overcoming Yugoslavia on level points but a better goal difference. The final match was played and won against Romania 1–0. Four days earlier, Albania had already beaten Bulgaria 3–1. Interestingly, Albania wasn't expected to participate, but the withdrawal of Greece from the tournament offered Albania a chance to join in the re-established post-war cup.
The early years oversaw a notably successful Balkan Cup in the 1946 campaign. Albania won the cup after overcoming Yugoslavia on level points but a better goal difference. The final match was played and won against Romania 1–0. Four days earlier, Albania had already beaten Bulgaria 3–1. Interestingly, Albania wasn't expected to participate, but the withdrawal of Greece from the tournament offered Albania a chance to join in the re-established post-war cup.
1960 European Nations' Cup
Albania did not participate.
Albania did not participate.
1964 European Nations' Cup
This was the first time Albania competed in a Euro Cup competition and actually 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 game. In the eighth finals Albania faced Denmark and won in Albania 1–0, but lost in Denmark 0–4. Denmark advanced to the quarter finals.At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.
This was the first time Albania competed in a Euro Cup competition and actually 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 game. In the eighth finals Albania faced Denmark and won in Albania 1–0, but lost in Denmark 0–4. Denmark advanced to the quarter finals.At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.
Fifa World Cup
1966 FIFA World Cup
The first time that Albania competed for a place in the world's elite, for the 1966 World Cup in England, was in a match against Netherlands on 24 May 1964. Drawn in Group 5 with the Dutch were also Northern Ireland and Switzerland. Albania's only point in the qualification round came from a 1–1 draw at home to Northern Ireland in Tirana, which denied Northern Ireland a place in the Finals.
1966 FIFA World Cup
The first time that Albania competed for a place in the world's elite, for the 1966 World Cup in England, was in a match against Netherlands on 24 May 1964. Drawn in Group 5 with the Dutch were also Northern Ireland and Switzerland. Albania's only point in the qualification round came from a 1–1 draw at home to Northern Ireland in Tirana, which denied Northern Ireland a place in the Finals.
UEFA Euro 2016 qualifications campaign
The qualifying draw took place on 23 February 2014. Albania was drawn in Group I along with Portugal, Denmark, Serbia, and Armenia. Qualifying matches started in September 2014.
|
|