Kosovo has scored a big victory in Ljubljana against Slovenia. It has also recorded the greatest success in football – qualifying for the 2026 World Cup playoffs. Kosovo aims for even greater success in March when the playoff matches will take place.
Kosovo won 2-0 on Saturday night at the “Stožice” stadium in Ljubljana. Fisnik Asllani scored a superb goal in the sixth minute. He beautifully avoided an opponent in the area, and then shot perfectly, beating one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Jan Oblak.
"Even if I dreamed it, I wouldn't think like that. So I'm very, very happy. I believe it couldn't have gone better for us. It's an extraordinary feeling. I believe this goal helped us get into the game as well as possible. So I feel very, very proud of the goal today. The atmosphere was very good. I believe that all the players, all the Albanians who were in the stadium today, felt very proud and the atmosphere helped us play well today," Asllani declared for the official FFK website after the match.
Oblak was once again beaten by Jan Karničik, the centre-back who scored an own goal after a move initiated by Florent Muslija. The Slovenians played with one less player on the field from the 53rd minute, after Petar Stojanović was sent off. Stojanović received two yellow cards in a few minutes, both after a duel with Dion Gallapeni, the Kosovo left-back.
"I think we stuck to the preliminary plan we had very well. We were clear that they would come up high to press. We had to be prepared for that. I think it was a good plan, it worked well and the players implemented it in the best possible way. That's why the match went like this," said Kosovo's German coach, Franco Foda, at the post-match press conference.
At the "Stozhice" stadium, there was a large number of spectators who had gathered in support of Kosovo. Foda thanked everyone present, saying that they gave the players additional motivation for a very good performance.
"I am very happy, very pleased. I am happy for the players, for the team. The boys played fantastically. They stuck to the game plan that we agreed on in advance. They fought hard. They pressed as we agreed for 90 minutes. They ran for 90 minutes. They had quick transitions and it is a deserved victory, so I am very happy for them and for the victory that we achieved. Now we have to think about regeneration. On Tuesday we have the match against Switzerland. We hope for another good performance and why not aim for victory in that match as well," emphasized the 59-year-old technician.
Kosovo will learn its playoff opponent next Thursday, November 20, at 13:00 PM in Zurich, Switzerland.
"The Dardanians" must overcome two more opponents. But before those two matches, Kosovo will play in front of its fans in Pristina, namely at the "Fadil Vokrri" stadium against Switzerland. The match is expected to be more festive. First place in Group B is almost unattainable. Switzerland also won 4:1 on Saturday against Sweden. Granit Xhaka scored the goal for 2:1 from the penalty spot, while Besfort Zeneli made his debut for Sweden.
Switzerland is in first place with 13 points, three more than Kosovo. But Switzerland's 13:1 goal difference is significantly better than Kosovo's 5:4.
Coach Foda did not want to talk about the playoff opponents. He preferred to go game by game from the beginning. In the conference, he only spoke about the match against Switzerland.
"I can't talk about the playoff games right now. My thoughts and ideas are currently focused on Tuesday's game against Switzerland. That's where all our focus is, and after that game, we'll start thinking about the March games. We'll see who the opponents will be. We'll start making our plans. Normally the goal is to win those games, but it's still too early to start thinking about them," said Foda.
This is Kosovo's most successful qualifying cycle. After losing to Switzerland in the first match in Basel, Kosovo recorded two wins against Sweden and a draw and a win against Slovenia.
Second place is a good chance to advance to the World Cup. Four teams qualify from the playoff. The winners of the two semi-finals in all four playoff "paths" will meet in the final to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The playoff semi-final matches take place on March 26 next year.
The hero of the match speaks
Fisnik Asllani, the Kosovo star who scored a super goal against Slovenia in the 2:0 victory, said that he could not even dream of such a victory.
In a statement after the match, Asllani called the feeling of reaching the playoff for qualification for the 2026 World Cup extraordinary.
"Even if I dreamed it, I wouldn't think so. So I'm very, very happy. I believe it couldn't have gone better for us. It's an extraordinary feeling. I believe this goal helped us get into the game as well as possible. So I feel very, very proud of the goal today. The atmosphere was very good. I believe that all the players, all the Albanians who were in the stadium today, felt very proud and the atmosphere helped us play well today," Asllani declared for the official FFK website after the match.
Asllani scored the first goal of the match. He scored a super goal in the sixth minute. The second goal was scored by the Slovenians themselves.
Shporar: We were very weak, Kosovo was better
Slovenian striker Andraz Šporar has commented on Slovenia's defeat to Kosovo on Saturday in Ljubljana. Kosovo won 2:0 and secured the play-offs.
Shporar emphasized after the match that the performance was very poor against Kosovo.
"We were simply too weak, the opponent was better in all aspects. With ten players on the field, it was even more difficult, and we didn't create any big chances before. They were better and I don't know what else to add. Kosovo was winning the duels," he declared.
Kek: Kosovo deserved the victory
Slovenia coach Matjaž Kek congratulated Kosovo on their victory in Ljubljana.
Kosovo defeated Slovenia 2:0 and secured the playoffs for the first time.
Kosovo, after the victory over Slovenia, has ten points in second position in Group B.
Switzerland leads the table with three more points.
The final match between Kosovo and Switzerland is played in Pristina on Tuesday.
"First of all, we have to congratulate our opponent, Kosovo fully deserved the victory. We had a few mistakes, a red card and an own goal, but they were faster in the first half, they were getting second balls and we were not able to get into the game," Kek said after the match.
Slovenian media: We were guests in Ljubljana
What the Slovenian media feared happened on Saturday night at the "Stožice" stadium in Ljubljana.
Most of the spectators in the stadium were Albanians.
The cries of "Kosovo, Kosovo" have been heard repeatedly, as have the cries of "KLA, KLA".
"We were afraid that Slovenia would play a 'travel' match against Kosovo in 'Stozhice'. And that's how it happened," wrote "ekipa.si".
This media outlet wrote that when the Kosovo players took the field, there was widespread applause.
Meanwhile, there were whistles when Slovenia's players took the field.
Foda declares after reaching the playoffs
Kosovo coach Franco Foda praised his players for the historic match against Slovenia, which secured Kosovo's participation in the 2026 World Cup playoffs. Foda praised the entire team's performance. However, he said it was not Kosovo's best performance ever.
"I think we stuck to the plan we had very well. We knew they would come up high to press. We had to be prepared for that. I think it was a good plan, it worked well and the players implemented it in the best possible way. That's why the game went like this," he said. "No, I can't say it was the best game, but it was a good game. So far under my leadership we have played some other very good games. I remember we played very well as a guest against Romania. Then we had very good performances against Sweden. It was a good game but I can't say it was one of the best games since I have been leading the team."
Foda said that the victory was deserved, while when talking about Tuesday's match with Switzerland, he said that he expects another good performance and why not a victory.
"I'm very happy, very pleased. I'm happy for the players, for the team. The boys played fantastically. They stuck to the game plan that we agreed on beforehand. They fought hard. They pressed as we agreed for 90 minutes. They ran for 90 minutes. They had quick transitions and it's a deserved victory, so I'm very happy for them and for the victory that we achieved. Now we have to think about regeneration. On Tuesday we have the match against Switzerland. We hope for another good performance and why not aim for victory in that match as well," he said.
Foda has refused to talk about the playoff issue. He said that Kosovo will start preparations when the time comes for the March matches.
"I can't talk about the playoff games right now. My thoughts and ideas are currently focused on Tuesday's game against Switzerland. That's where our focus is, and after that game, we'll start thinking about the games in March. We'll see who the opponents will be. We'll start making our plans. Normally the goal is to win those games, but it's still too early to start thinking about them," he said.
He highly praised Kosovo fans.
"I can't say that it was an atmosphere like in Pristina, or better. I can say that it was a fantastic atmosphere and I am very grateful to all the many spectators who come to support our team. I, at the head of the coaching staff, the players, but also everyone in the Football Federation of Kosovo, and all the other people, are very grateful and proud of the large number of spectators we have had wherever we have played, in Switzerland, in Sweden, but also here tonight. This shows the pride that the entire people of Kosovo have with their national team," said Foda.
Kosovo achieved this success after a big victory over Slovenia in Ljubljana, 2:0.
Captain Rrahmani's speech after the historic success
Amir Rrahmani gave a speech after Kosovo's historic success - the 2026 World Cup playoffs.
Kosovo achieved this success after a big victory over Slovenia in Ljubljana, 2:0.
At the "Stozhice" stadium, Kosovo had great support from the many "Dardana" fans.
"We have had many sacrifices. Each of us has merit, even the one who has not played a single minute, who has always come, who has trained with us, who has been focused. Each of us has his own merit. Like Edon who did not play today, like everyone else. Each one has merit for this success. From now on, we will get ready for March and hope to achieve the best," emphasized Rrahmani.
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Adam: This is the story.
Agim Ademi, president of the Kosovo Football Federation, while congratulating the Kosovo national team players on their victory over Slovenia, described reaching the playoff for qualification for the 2026 World Cup as historic and a "cap".
"This is history. You did your best. Whatever happens after this, whether we go or not, this is the end of it. I hope and believe," he said in the locker room after the triumph.
Kosovo in the playoffs, decisive matches in March
Kosovo has reached the playoff stage for qualification for the 2026 World Cup in football, after a historic 2:0 victory over Slovenia on Saturday.
On Tuesday, Kosovo also plays Switzerland, but the match cannot change the fate of Group B. Switzerland has secured direct qualification for the World Cup as the first.
And immediately, on November 20, at 13:00 PM in Zurich, Switzerland, the draw for the playoff phase will be made. Kosovo must overcome two more opponents for a historic qualification to the World Championship.
The play-offs feature the 12 teams that finish in second place in their qualifying groups and the four best group winners in the Nations League that do not finish in the top two positions in their World Cup qualifying groups.
The draw will determine the opponent for the playoff semi-final and potentially the playoff final.
Four teams will qualify for the World Cup through the playoffs. The winners of the two semi-finals in all four playoff "paths" will meet in the final to qualify for the World Cup.
The 12 second-place teams in the groups will be divided into three pots. The pots will be determined based on the FIFA rankings published on Wednesday. Kosovo is in pot three due to its ranking. The four teams that participate in the play-offs from the Nations League will be in pot four. In the semi-finals, the teams from pot one will meet those from pot four, and the teams from pot two will meet those from pot three.
The playoff semi-finals will take place on March 26 next year. The hosts will be the teams from the first and second pots. Meanwhile, the playoff finals are on March 31. The hosts of the four finals will be determined by draw.
Kosovo doubles the lead
Kosovo has doubled its lead over Slovenia.
Defender Zan Karnicnik scored an own goal in the 64th minute for 2:0 in favor of the "Dardans".
Slovenia with one less player, Stojanovic excluded
Defender Petar Stojanović was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the space of a few minutes.
He was initially shown a yellow card in the 47th minute for a push on Dion Gallapen.
In the 53rd minute, he shot the Kosovo left defender in the face.
For this reason, French referee Clement Turpin expelled him from the game.
Will there be a final in Pristina on Tuesday?
With the current results, Kosovo and Switzerland will play the final on Tuesday night for first place in the group and direct qualification to the World Cup.
With the first half results, Slovenia – Kosovo 0:1 and Switzerland – Sweden 1:1, Switzerland has 11 points in the group. Kosovo is second with 10.
For both teams, at least the playoffs are guaranteed. But, if the results do not change, direct qualification will be determined on Tuesday at "Fadil Vokrri".
The video that best demonstrates the dominance of Albanians in the stadium in Slovenia
Kosovo leads after the first half, moves even closer to the playoffs
Thanks to Fisnik Asllani's goal, Kosovo is ahead after the first half in the away match against Slovenia.
Asllani scored in the sixth minute.
With a win, but also with a draw, Kosovo secures second place, respectively the playoff spot.
Depending on the result of the next match, Switzerland - Sweden, Kosovo could also fight for direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Switzerland is drawing 1:1 with Sweden.
Switzerland currently has 11 points, one more than Kosovo.
On November 18 at "Fadil Vokrri" in Pristina, Kosovo hosts Switzerland.
Asllani's super goal, Kosovo in the lead
Fisnik Asllani has given Kosovo a one-goal lead over Slovenia.
The Hoffenheim striker in the German Bundesliga scored a super goal in the sixth minute.
Asllani received the ball in the area, was beautifully deflected by a defender, and miraculously scored with a volley into Jan Oblak's goal for 1:0.
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Slovenians "fear" the large number of Kosovo fans
A very large number of Kosovo fans are present at the "Stozhice" stadium in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
This is also confirmed by videos published by the Slovenian media outlet "Ekipa.svet.24.si".
This media outlet described the scenes near the stadium as "disturbing" for the fans and the Slovenian national team.
"It was clear even on the street that a large number of fans were coming. From Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Italy and other countries. It will be interesting to see if there will be riots around the Stožice stadium, because they will be allowed to enter with state and Albanian symbols only in certain parts of the stadium, and not where the Slovenian fans are. What you can see, near the stadium, is impressive but also worrying for the fans. The Slovenian fans may be at a high level, but the Kosovo fans will also be noisy," the Slovenian media wrote, among other things.
The match between Slovenia and Kosovo starts at 20:45.
Slovenia with five defenders in the starting lineup
The Slovenian national team will have five defenders in the starting lineup in the match against Kosovo.
In the absence of Benjamin Sheshko, Andraž Sporar returns to the starting lineup, as does the Sturm Graz duo, Tomi Horvat and Jon Gorenc Stanković.
Slovenia will host Kosovo at the "Stozhice" stadium in Ljubljana and is aiming for its first victory in the qualifiers.
The draw suits Kosovo. One point would be enough for Kosovo to secure second place in the group, namely the 2026 World Cup playoffs.
Slovenia squad:
Oblak, Karničnik, Brekalo, Bijol, Drkušić, Janzha, Stanković, Horvat, Elshnik, Vipotnik, Shporar.
Kosovo's lineup for the decisive match is published
The coach of the Kosovo National Team, Franco Foda, has announced the starting lineup for the match against Slovenia.
The "Dardans" will play against Slovenia in Ljubljana at 20:45, in the penultimate qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup.
There are changes for Kosovo. In goal, instead of the suspended and first-choice goalkeeper, Arijanet Muriq, will be Amir Shaipi, the goalkeeper of Lugano.
Amir Rrahmani and Lumbardh Dellova, who missed the previous matches due to injuries, have returned to the center of defense. Rrahmani and Dellova replace Kreshnik Hajrizi and Ilir Krasniqi in defense.
Meanwhile, Elvis Rexhbeçaj did not play in the midfield due to an injury on the field, and was replaced by Veldin Hoxha. Rexhbeçaj also returns to the role of defensive midfielder.
The rest of the team remains the same as it has been in previous duels.
Coach Foda has decided to stick to the 5-3-2 system.
They lead the attack. Vedat Muriqi and Noble Asllani.
The midfield consists of Leon Avdullah, Elvis Rexhbeçaj and Florent Muslija.
In the defensive department are Albian Hajdari, Amir Rrahmani, Lumbardh Dellova, Dion Gallapeni and Exile Voivode.
It is at the gate. Amir Shaipi.
