The match will be played at Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Prishtina, with kickoff scheduled at 9:45 p.m.

The “Dardanians” come into the final after a dramatic 4-3 victory over Slovakia in the semifinal, moving within one win of a historic first appearance at a World Cup tournament.

Türkiye secured their place in the final with a narrow win over Romania, setting up what is expected to be a closely contested encounter between the two sides.

An electric atmosphere is anticipated in Prishtina, with a capacity crowd expected to fill the stadium as Kosovo seek a landmark achievement. The match marks a potential turning point for a team that only began competing in international football a few years ago and now stands on the brink of a major breakthrough.

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Despite cold temperatures, rain and snowfall, the team – known as the Dardanians – has maintained high levels of commitment and focus during training sessions.

The Football Federation of Kosovo said the atmosphere within the squad remains positive, with all players in good physical condition and fully fit for what is being described as one of the most important matches in the country’s football history.

Players have expressed optimism ahead of the match, highlighting the support of fans as a key motivating factor.

The game will be played at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, where tickets sold out shortly after going on sale, underlining strong public interest in the fixture.

Kick-off is scheduled for 2045 local time, with Kosovo aiming to secure a historic result and move one step closer to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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In the 15th stop of the competition, held in Semmering, Austria, the 19-year-old finished third, securing Albania’s fourth podium of the season.

The result placed Colturi seventh in the overall Alpine Ski World Cup standings.

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Blendi Gonxhja, praised Colturi’s achievements on Tuesday, saying she had confirmed her elite level and represented Albania with distinction on the international stage.

“An extraordinary success for the 19-year-old, who ranks seventh in the overall Alpine Ski World Cup standings. Lara Colturi has four podiums in 15 races this season, and six in total in 2025, confirming her elite level and dignified representation of Albania internationally,” Gonxhja wrote.

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Albania, which remains in contention through the play-off path, would come into Group F, joining the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia, should the national side secure qualification.

Albanian Football Association President Armand Duka attended the ceremony alongside senior figures from European and world football.

Albania closed its qualifying campaign second in Group K with 14 points from four wins, two draws and two defeats – a milestone that earned the national side a place in the World Cup play-offs for the first time.

The Red and Blacks will take on Poland in the play-off semi-final on 26 March in Warsaw. If successful, Albania will meet the winner of Ukraine vs. Sweden in the play-off final on 31 March, also away from home.

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The performance coincides with her 19th birthday, adding significance to a milestone day for the talented skier, who continues to raise her profile on the world alpine skiing stage.

Colturi clocked a combined 1:50.58, finishing 1.66 seconds behind U.S. overall World Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin.

She opened strongly, placing second in the first run, 1.08 seconds off Shiffrin’s pace, and posted the third-fastest time in the second run.

Though slalom is not her strongest discipline, Colturi’s result follows a seventh-place finish in Sölden three weeks ago and reinforces her rapid rise in alpine skiing.

The result adds 80 points to her tally, bringing her to 116 points after the first two races of the season and placing her third in the overall World Cup standings behind Shiffrin and fellow American Paula Moltzan.

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After the third round, Albania’s national side currently ranks second with four points following their defeat in an away game against England and victory at home against modest Andorra.

Tonight’s game was first for Serbia in the stage group after the Nations League tournament.

Favourites England top Group K with 9 points, while Latvia ranks third with three points.

Albania created the first move and almost scored in the 11^th minute as Mario Mitaj hit a left-footed shot from outside the box and goalkeeper Petrovic made a good save. Albania increased the pressure and almost opens the scoring at home.

Serbia’s Pavlovic was shown yellow card in the 15^th minute after committing a hard foul on Armando Broja.

In the 19^th minute, Albanian defender Berat Gjimshiti committed a foul on Dusan Vlahovic and was shown a yellow card too.

In the 21^st minute, Serbia wasted a good chance after Vlahovic hit the ball with his left foot and missed the target.

In the 30^th minute, Albania’s striker Broja sprinted on the right side and was violently held by Serbian player. However, referee refused to give a foul.

In the 34^th minute of the first half, Albania almost took the lead when Qazim Laçi hit a right-footed shot from distance and goalkeeper Petrovic made the save.

Albania missed another good chance to open the scoring in the 36^th minute, when Arber Hoxha controlled the ball outside the area and fired a shot with his right foot past the Serbian defence.

Albania missed a penalty awarded by the referee after Elseid Hysaj was fouled inside the box. Forward Rej Manaj missed the target.

In the beginning of the second half, Serbia tried to react after Terzic crossed the ball into the box and Aleksandar Mitrovic headed in from the middle of the box and goalkeeper Strakosha made a good save.

In the 62^nd minute, Rej Manaj left the field to be replaced by Mirlind Daku in the Albanian squad. Albania tried to put pressure back on with changes in the second half and looks to open the scoring after missing a penalty.

In the 72^nd minute, Mirlind Daku gave an excellent pass to Nedim Bajrami, who controlled the ball inside the box, shoot with his right foot and goalkeeper Petrovic made a good save.

Albania pressed again and missed another good chance to open the scoring in the remaining minutes. However, the game headed towards a goalless end.

Official line-ups:

Albania: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Gjimshiti, Mitaj; Shehu, Asllani, Laçi; Hoxha, Broja, Manaj.

SERBIA: Petrovic, Pavlovic, Milenkovic, Erakovic, Lukic, Maksimovic, Zivkovic, Terzic, Samardzic, Mitrovic, Vlahovic.

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This game carries significant weight in Group K standings as both teams aim to secure a spot in the World Cup.

The Albania–Serbia match kicks off at 20:45 and it is the third Group K fixture in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup — and perhaps the most intense – after Albania’s national side currently ranks second after their defeat in a away game against England and victory at home against modest Andorra.

Tonight’s game is the first for Serbia in the stage group after the Nations League tournament.

With England seeing as favourite, both Albania and Serbia will compete for second spot to advance to the play-offs and to stand a chance for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Albania’s starting line-up: Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Gjimshiti, Mitaj; Shehu, Asllani, Laçi; Hoxha, Broja, Manaj.

Serbia’s starting line-up: Petrovic, Pavlovic, Milenkovic, Erakovic, Lukic, Maksimovic, Zivkovic, Terzic, Samardzic, Mitrovic, Vlahovic.

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This game carries significant weight in Group K standings as both teams aim to secure a spot in the World Cup.

The Albania–Serbia match kicks off at 20:45 and it is the third Group K fixture in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup — and perhaps the most intense – after Albania’s national side currently ranks second after their defeat in a away game against England and victory at home against modest Andorra.

Tonight’s game is the first for Serbia in the stage group after the Nations League tournament.

With England seeing as favourite, both Albania and Serbia will compete for second spot to advance to the play-offs and to stand a chance for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Red and Blacks must win against Serbia if they want to qualify for first time in the World Cup – and today is the big opportunity.

Tight security measures are already in place. The downtown area around the stadium will be blocked starting at 3 PM, and no one without a ticket or accreditation will be allowed to enter the football match. The stadium is equipped with the most advanced facial recognition devices, and the stands are monitored by specialized cameras. Around 2,000 police officers will be deployed, counter-drones and surveillance cameras.

The match will be officiated by Italian referee Davide Massa will be the central referee, assisted by assistants Filippo Meli and Ciro Carbone. Fabio Maresca will serve as the fourth official, and the VAR duties will be handled by Aleandro Di Paolo, supported by Daniele Doveri.

Albania possible starting lineup:

Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Gjimshiti, Mitaj; Shehu, Asllani, Laçi; Hoxha, Broja, Manaj.

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Out of 27 selectees, two of them come from “Kategoria Superiore” (Superior League), Albania’s top-tier professional football league, namely Egnatia’s goalkeeper Mario Dajsinani, and Dinamo’s defender Naser Aliji. Defender Mario Mitaj will rejoin national team after recovering from previous injury.

Albania will host Serbia in a home match at National Arena on June 7 and will then travel to Latvia for the way match at Skonto Stadions in Riga.

Albania squad:

Goalkeepers: Thomas Strakosha, Elhan Kastrati, Alen Sherri, Mario Dajsinani

Defenders: Elseid Hysaj, Ivan Balliu, Mario Mitaj, Naser Aliji, Marash Kumbulla, Ardian Ismajli, Berat Gjimshiti, Arlind Ajeti, Adrian Bajrami

Midfielders: Ylber Ramadani, Juljan Shehu, Kristjan Asllani, Qazim Laçi, Adrion Pajaziti, Nedim Bajrami, Medon Berisha, Arbër Hoxha

Forwards: Ernest Muçi, Jasir Asani, Armando Broja, Myrto Uzuni, Rey Manaj, Mirlind Daku

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Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj congratulated Sunday the Italian naturalized Albanian skier, also part of Tirana Sports Club, for her outstanding performance.

“Historic result for Albania! The Albanian skier Lara Colturi, with her incredible performance, made us proud after ranking first for setting best time in second heat and earning 12^th place in the World Cup. This is spectacular,” Mayor Veliaj said via the social media.

In recent years, the multisport club Tirana has experienced a surge in the quality of athletes competing in various disciplines, who have won national and international titles, including Luiza Gega, European champion in Athletics, or wrestler Zelimkhan Abakarov, world champion.

The talented skier Lara Colturi has also joined the club after the support from Tirana municipality.

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