The Nations League - a competition that proves Kosovo's growth

When Kosovo was still taking its first steps in international football, UEFA introduced the new competition – the Nations League. 

And it is the Nations League that demonstrates the growth of the Kosovo national football team over the last eight years. 

For the first draw of the Nations League, drawn on 24 January 2018, Kosovo was only in the fourth, respectively last, pot of League D. League D was the fourth, respectively last, level of the first edition of the Nations League, 2018/19. Andorra, San Marino and Gibraltar were the other representatives of the fourth pot. So this was the estimated level of Kosovo in January 2018. 

The quality, however, was greater among the “Dardans.” Kosovo won Group 3 of League D, which also included Azerbaijan, the Faroe Islands and Malta. They collected 14 points, five more than Azerbaijan.

In addition to securing promotion to League C for the second edition of the Nations League, Kosovo also advanced to the qualifying play-off for Euro 2020. They were stopped in the semi-finals of the play-off by North Macedonia, in a match that continues to be the main "wound" of their journey so far. It was and still is appreciated that Kosovo missed a golden opportunity to qualify for the European Championship. 

also football October 7, 2026 Kosovo leaves behind eight representatives of League B

Qualifying for a major event still remains Kosovo's main goal.

While for the first edition, League D turned out to be a weak level for Kosovo, for the second edition, 2020/201, League C turned out to be quite strong. 

Kosovo remained only third in the group in the third-tier league, namely C. Slovenia won the group with 14 points. Greece had 12, and Kosovo only five. Moldova remained last with one point. Third place ensured Kosovo's stay in League C, but this was not the goal.

The stagnation continued in the third edition of the Nations League, 2022/2023. Again in League C, Kosovo remained second in the group with 9 points. The group was won by Greece with 15 points. Northern Ireland and Cyprus remained behind the "Dardan" representative with five points each. 

Even in the fourth edition of the "UEFA Nations League", 2024/2025, Kosovo remained second in Group C. Romania won the group with 18 points, Kosovo had 12 points, followed by Cyprus with six points and Lithuania, with no points. 

also football October 5, 2026 League B proves that Kosovo has the potential for even more success

But this time, second place secured a place in the playoff for advancement to League B. In the playoff, in March last year, Kosovo won both matches against Iceland. And for the first time, it advanced to League B of the Nations League. 

Now in League B it is in a group with Israel, Austria and Ireland. The first match is on Thursday (tomorrow) with Ireland at “Fadil Vokrri”. This match starts at 20:45. Immediately on Sunday Franco Foda's selection plays in Vienna against Austria. The last match of this campaign is played on November 17. 

After excelling in the regular qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Kosovo aims to win the group in League B, which would secure League A for the next edition of the “Nations League”. It would be an important success, which, among other things, would demonstrate the continued growth of the representative team.

Even second place would be a success. As second, Kosovo would play in the playoffs for promotion to League A. 

UEFA created the Nations League to replace the friendlies. The Nations League is organized between the qualifying cycles for the European and World Cups. But, of course, the greater number of competitive matches, the Nations League trophy and the promotion and relegation in the leagues, have made this competition gain in importance. It has served Kosovo perhaps even more than other European representatives. 

also football 28th of 2026 The match with Israel gives direction to Kosovo's campaign, reaction expected

Nations League matches are also used to test new players and prepare teams for regular qualifiers. 

Kosovo is no different here. The big goal now is to qualify for Euro 2028. And this autumn's matches serve that purpose.