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By:
Endrit Makolli
- March 17 2025 20: 35
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The Kosovo national football team held its first training session for the matches against Iceland in the Nations League on Monday afternoon.
In the training held at the FFK national camp, 18 footballers were present. However, the "Dardans" were missing captain Amir Rrahmani in the first training session. Rrahmani's appearance is in doubt for the first match against Iceland. He was injured during the match that Napoli played against Venezia in Serie A.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeThe "Dardans" face Iceland on Thursday in the playoff for League B of the Nations League. The first match Kosovo - Iceland will be played at 20:45 at the "Fadil Vokrri" stadium in Pristina.
Kosovo plays the return match in Murcia, Spain, on March 23.
"It's a good feeling to always be part of the national team. The atmosphere is very good. We have enjoyed ourselves all together, we have become like a family and we hope to show ourselves in these two matches. We play the first match at home and we have to focus on it by focusing 100%. For this match we have to concentrate only on ourselves. We have great players, with talented players and we have to win this match at home. Our goal is to advance to League B of the Nations League", said Hamburg striker Emir Sahiti.
Under the orders of Kosovo's selector, Franco Foda, on Monday were Andi Hoti, Dion Gallapeni, Ermal Krasniqi, Leart Paqarada, Milot Rashica, Mërgim Vojvoda, Vedat Muriqi, Florent Muslija, Aro Muriq, Visar Bekaj, Lumbardh Dellova, Fidal Aliti, Elvis Rexhbeçaj, Albion Rrahmani, Lirjon Abdullahu, Lindon Emërllahu, Qëndrim Zyba and Emir Sahiti.
Due to commitments with their clubs over the weekend, in addition to captain Rrahmani, Valon Berisha, Ilir Krasniqi, Amir Shaipi, Donat Rrudhani, Baton Zabërgja and Vesel Demaku were also absent.
Due to injuries, Kosovo will also be missing Florent Hadërgjonaj, Fisnik Asllani and Edon Zhegrova.
Hadërgjonaj and Asllani were invited for the two matches this month, but due to injuries they suffered on their respective teams, they will not be able to help Kosovo.
Zhegrova has been injured since December of last year.
"I did not expect the invitation, because I am 16 years old. However, I am happy to show my values in the A National Team. I have been received very well. The others did not expect that a 16-year-old could be part of the team. I thank everyone for the good reception. For a 16-year-old it is not easy to be included in the A team and show his values. It is a good feeling to play for Kosovo. I want to show everyone what I know", said the 16-year-old talent of Stuttgarter Kickers U17, Lirjon Abdullahu.
The Kosovo national team will play a friendly against Armenia in Pristina on June 6. Kosovo's 2026 World Cup qualifiers begin in September. Their first match is on September 5 against Switzerland on the road.