List of Kosovo international footballers born outside Kosovo

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

The list of Kosovo international footballers born outside Kosovo includes all the players who were born outside Kosovo, including the Kosovan diaspora. This has happened officially since 6 February 2013, when the national team was given permission by FIFA to play against FIFA member associations in international friendlies.[1] The first non-Albanian international football player, Adis Nurković was born in Velika Kladuša, SFR Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina) and he represented Kosovo during the 2017.[2] The majority of these players were born in Switzerland.

List of countries where players were born
Country Total
 Switzerland 22*
 Germany 14*
 Sweden 8*
 Norway 4
 Serbia and Montenegro
(now  Serbia)
4
 Finland 3*
 Belgium 1
 Croatia 1
 England 1
 Netherlands 1
 Yugoslavia
(now  Bosnia and Herzegovina)
1
* = Including uncapped eligible players

The following players:

  1. have been called up or have played at least one full international match with national senior team.
  2. were born outside Kosovo.
  3. This list includes players who have dual citizenship with Kosovo and/or have become naturalized Kosovan citizens.
  4. This list includes only players who have played with Kosovo from the first official international match against Haiti,[3] and until their last match against Andorra, on 28 March 2023.[4]

The players are ordered per modern-day country of birth or if the country at the time of birth differs from the current, this is indicated with a subsection.

Players[edit]

Below is the list of the 64 players who have born outside Kosovo.

  • Players in bold are called up to the squad in last 12 months and are still active at international level.
  • Players with flags in front of their name are players who represented Kosovo, but now represent another national team.
  • A yellow background indicates the most recent match.

Capped players[edit]

As of 28 March 2023
Name Place of birth Origin Pos. Caps Goals First cap Last cap Ref
Opponent Date Opponent Date
Fidan Aliti Switzerland Binningen Miratovac DF 44 1  Turkey 11 June 2017  Northern Ireland 24 September 2022 [P 1]
Valon Berisha Sweden Malmö Podujevo MF 38 4  Finland 5 September 2016  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 2]
Besar Halimi Germany Frankfurt Malishevë, Gjilan MF 34 3  Equatorial Guinea 10 October 2015  Greece 14 November 2021 [P 3]
Arbër Zeneli Sweden Säter Mitrovica MF 33 9  Croatia 6 October 2016  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 4]
Edon Zhegrova Germany Herford Dobrajë e Madhe MF 30 4  Madagascar 24 March 2018  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 5]
Arijanet Muric Switzerland Schlieren Rožaje and Peja GK 30 0  Azerbaijan 20 November 2018  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 6]
Hekuran Kryeziu Switzerland Luzern Rogaçicë MF 28 0  Albania 13 November 2015  Malta 4 June 2021 [P 7]
Florent Hadergjonaj Switzerland Langnau Deçan DF 27 1  Bulgaria 10 June 2019  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 8]
Herolind Shala Norway Porsgrunn Drenas MF 27 0  Croatia 6 October 2016  Greece 14 November 2021 [P 9]
Leart Paqarada Germany Bremen Podujevo DF 26 1  Oman 7 September 2014  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 10]
Elbasan Rashani Sweden Värnamo Vushtrri FW 24 5  Albania 13 November 2015  Cyprus 27 September 2022 [P 11]
Benjamin Kololli Switzerland Aigle Lipjan MF 24 4  Turkey 12 November 2016  Greece 5 June 2022 [P 12]
Ibrahim Drešević Sweden Fuxerna, Lilla Edet Tuzi DF 22 0  Gibraltar 10 October 2019  Israel 25 March 2023 [P 13]
Zymer Bytyqi Belgium Sint-Truiden Lipljan MF 18 1  Haiti 5 March 2014  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 14]
Betim Fazliji Serbia and MontenegroSerbia Vranje Miratovac DF 18 0  Albania 11 November 2020  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 15]
Florent Muslija Germany Achern MF 15 1  Czech Republic 7 September 2019  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 16]
Idriz Voca Switzerland Stans Mitrovica MF 15 0  Madagascar 24 March 2018  Malta 4 June 2021 [P 17]
Mirlind Kryeziu Switzerland Zürich Mališevo DF 10 0  Georgia 2 September 2021  Andorra 28 March 2023 [P 18]
Alban Pnishi Switzerland Zürich Gjakova DF 8 0  Albania 13 November 2015  Iceland 9 October 2017 [P 19]
Donis Avdijaj Germany Osnabrück Istok FW 6 2  Iceland 24 March 2017  Malta 17 November 2018 [P 20]
Blendi Idrizi Germany Bonn Gjilan MF 6 0  San Marino 1 June 2021  Greece 12 June 2022 [P 21]
Astrit Selmani Sweden Malmö Mitrovica FW 5 1  Sweden 9 October 2021  Burkina Faso 24 March 2022 [P 22]
Flamur Kastrati Norway Oslo Peja FW 5 0  Haiti 5 March 2014  Sweden 12 January 2020 [P 23]
Avni Pepa Norway Kristiansand Peja DF 5 0  Haiti 5 March 2014  Croatia 6 October 2016 [P 24]
Toni Domgjoni Croatia Koprivnica Bistražin MF 4 1  Burkina Faso 24 March 2022  Greece 12 June 2022 [P 25]
Destan Bajselmani Netherlands Enschede Suva Reka DF 4 0  San Marino 1 June 2021  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 26]
Eroll Zejnullahu Germany Berlin Podujevo MF 4 0  Senegal 25 May 2014  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 27]
Valmir Sulejmani Germany Großburgwedel Gjilan FW 4 0  Equatorial Guinea 10 October 2015  San Marino 1 June 2021 [P 28]
Imran Bunjaku Switzerland Zürich Gjilan MF 3 1  Senegal 25 May 2014  Equatorial Guinea 10 October 2015 [P 29]
Lum Rexhepi Finland Turku Ferizaj DF 3 0  Haiti 5 March 2014  Faroe Islands 3 June 2016 [P 30]
Arianit Ferati Germany Stuttgart MF 2 0  Armenia 16 November 2022  Faroe Islands 19 November 2022 [P 31]
Ilir Krasniqi Germany Bocholt Kosovo Polje MF 2 0  Cyprus 27 September 2022  Armenia 16 November 2022 [P 32]
Emir Sahiti Serbia and MontenegroSerbia Zemun Medveđa MF 2 0  Northern Ireland 9 June 2022  Greece 12 June 2022 [P 33]
Lavdrim Hajrulahu Switzerland Lausanne Miratovac DF 2 0  Guinea 8 June 2021  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 34]
Liridon Balaj Switzerland La Chaux-de-Fonds Peja MF 2 0  Guinea 8 June 2021  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 35]
Mersim Asllani Switzerland Aigle Gjakova MF 2 0  Guinea 8 June 2021  Gambia 11 June 2021 [P 36]
Gjelbrim Taipi Serbia and MontenegroSerbia Bujanovac Veliki Trnovac MF 2 0  Burkina Faso 27 March 2018  Albania 29 May 2018 [P 37]
Alban Bunjaku England Romford MF 2 0  Turkey 21 May 2014  Senegal 25 May 2014 [P 38]
Jozef Pukaj Switzerland Riehen Istog GK 1 0  Faroe Islands, 19 November 2022 [P 39]
Kreshnik Hajrizi Switzerland Sierre Prizren DF 1 0  Faroe Islands, 19 November 2022 [P 40]
Jetmir Haliti Sweden Malmö Mitrovica DF 1 0  Armenia, 16 November 2022 [P 41]
Eris Abedini Switzerland Sorengo Komogllavë MF 1 0  Armenia, 16 November 2022 [P 42]
Lorik Emini Switzerland Zug Gjilan MF 1 0  San Marino, 1 June 2021 [P 43]
Leotrim Bekteshi Germany Berlin Mitrovica DF 1 0  Sweden, 12 January 2020 [P 44]
Ismet Lushaku Sweden Eskilstuna Pristina MF 1 0  Sweden, 12 January 2020 [P 45]
Ylldren Ibrahimaj Norway Arendal MF 1 0  Sweden, 12 January 2020 [P 46]
Arbenit Xhemajli Switzerland Brugg Ferizaj DF 1 0  Gibraltar, 10 October 2019 [P 47]
Shkelqim Demhasaj Switzerland Schaffhausen Carrabreg i Poshtëm FW 1 0  Malta, 17 November 2018 [P 48]
Jetmir Krasniqi Switzerland Nyon Klina DF 1 0  Albania, 29 May 2018 [P 49]
Bledar Hajdini Germany Fürstenfeldbruck Podujevo GK 1 0  Latvia, 13 November 2017 [P 50]
Suad Sahiti Serbia and MontenegroSerbia Belgrade Medveđa MF 1 0  Latvia, 13 November 2017 [P 51]
Adis Nurković Socialist Federal Republic of YugoslaviaBosnia and Herzegovina Velika Kladuša Pristina (by marriage) GK 1 0  Turkey, 11 June 2017 [P 52]

Uncapped players[edit]

As of 31 August 2023
Name Place of birth Origin Pos. First call-up Last call-up
Opponent Date Opponent Date
Andi Hoti Switzerland Uster Ratkoc DF   Switzerland 9 September 2023  Romania 12 September 2023
Ismajl Beka Switzerland Frauenfeld DF   Switzerland 9 September 2023  Romania 12 September 2023
Altin Zeqiri Finland Espoo Vushtrri MF   Switzerland 9 September 2023  Romania 12 September 2023
Valon Zumberi Germany Hamburg Preševo DF  Cyprus 2 June 2022  Romania 12 September 2023
Shkelqim Vladi Switzerland Thun Ferizaj FW  Northern Ireland 24 September 2022  Cyprus 27 September 2022
Bashkim Ajdini Sweden Halmstad Veliki Trnovac DF  San Marino 1 June 2021  Malta 4 June 2021
Dren Feka Germany Bad Oldesloe Vushtrri MF  Albania, 29 May 2018
Labinot Kabashi Finland Vantaa Poljance MF  Croatia 6 October 2016  Ukraine 9 October 2016

Ineligible players[edit]

As of 31 May 2023
  Player is not available at international level due to FIFA eligibility rules.
Name Place of birth Origin Pos. Caps Goals First cap or call-up Last cap or call-up Ref
Opponent Date Opponent Date
Switzerland Uran Bislimi Switzerland Basel Shtime MF 2 1  Armenia 16 November 2022  Faroe Islands 19 November 2022 [P 53]
Finland Agon Sadiku Finland Raahe FW 2 0  Armenia 16 November 2022  Faroe Islands 19 November 2022 [P 54]
Gledi Mici Albania Tirana Pristina (by naturalization) DF Has not debuted  Guinea 8 June 2021  Gambia 11 June 2021
Germany Enis Bunjaki Germany Offenbach am Main Gjilan FW 2 0  Senegal 25 May 2014  Oman 7 September 2014 [P 55]
Albania Albion Avdijaj Switzerland Zürich Gjakova FW 2 0  Turkey 21 May 2014  Senegal 25 May 2014 [P 56]
Sweden Edvin Kurtulus Sweden Halmstad Prizren DF Has not debuted  Cyprus 2 June 2022  Greece 12 June 2022
Albania Kastriot Dermaku Italy Scandiano Kamenica DF  Azerbaijan 7 September 2018  Faroe Islands 10 September 2018

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FIFA Circular no.1342" (PDF). FIFA. 6 February 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Kosova bëhet me lojtarin e parë të huaj" [Kosovo becomes the first foreign player] (in Albanian). Koha Ditore. 30 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Kosovo vs Haiti, 5 March 2014". eu-football.info. 5 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Andorra vs Kosovo, 28 March 2023". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
Player profiles
  1. ^ "Fidan Aliti". eu-football.info. 24 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Valon Berisha". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Besar Halimi". eu-football.info. 14 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Arbër Zeneli". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Edon Zhegrova". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Arijanet Muriqi". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  7. ^ "Hekuran Kryeziu". eu-football.info. 4 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Florent Hadergjonaj". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Herolind Shala". eu-football.info. 14 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Leart Paqarada". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Elbasan Rashani". eu-football.info. 27 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Benjamin Kololli". eu-football.info. 5 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Ibrahim Dreshaj". eu-football.info. 27 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Zymer Bytyqi". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  15. ^ "Betim Fazliji". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  16. ^ "Florent Muslija". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Idriz Voca". eu-football.info. 4 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Mirlind Kryeziu". eu-football.info. 28 March 2023.
  19. ^ "Alban Pnishi". eu-football.info. 9 October 2017.
  20. ^ "Donis Avdijaj". eu-football.info. 17 November 2018.
  21. ^ "Blendi Idrizi". eu-football.info. 12 June 2022.
  22. ^ "Astrit Selmani". eu-football.info. 24 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Flamur Kastrati". eu-football.info. 12 January 2020.
  24. ^ "Avni Pepa". eu-football.info. 6 October 2016.
  25. ^ "Toni Domgjoni". eu-football.info. 12 June 2022.
  26. ^ "Destan Bajselmani". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Eroll Zejnullahu". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Valmir Sulejmani". eu-football.info. 1 June 2021.
  29. ^ "Imran Bunjaku". eu-football.info. 10 October 2015.
  30. ^ "Lum Rexhepi". eu-football.info. 3 June 2016.
  31. ^ "Arianit Ferati". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  32. ^ "Ilir Krasniqi". eu-football.info. 16 November 2022.
  33. ^ "Emir Sahiti". eu-football.info. 12 June 2022.
  34. ^ "Lavdrim Hajrullahu". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  35. ^ "Liridon Balaj". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  36. ^ "Mersim Asllani". eu-football.info. 11 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Gjelbrim Taipi". eu-football.info. 29 May 2018.
  38. ^ "Alban Bunjaku". eu-football.info. 25 May 2014.
  39. ^ "Jozef Pukaj". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  40. ^ "Kreshnik Hajrizi". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  41. ^ "Jetmir Haliti". eu-football.info. 16 November 2022.
  42. ^ "Eris Abedini". eu-football.info. 16 November 2022.
  43. ^ "Lorik Emini". eu-football.info. 1 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Leotrim Bekteshi". eu-football.info. 12 January 2020.
  45. ^ "Ismet Lushaku". eu-football.info. 12 January 2020.
  46. ^ "Ylldren Ibrahimaj". eu-football.info. 12 January 2020.
  47. ^ "Arbenit Xhemajli". eu-football.info. 10 October 2019.
  48. ^ "Shkelqim Demhasaj". eu-football.info. 17 November 2018.
  49. ^ "Jetmir Krasniqi". eu-football.info. 29 May 2018.
  50. ^ "Bledar Hajdini". eu-football.info. 13 November 2017.
  51. ^ "Suad Sahiti". eu-football.info. 13 November 2017.
  52. ^ "Adis Nurković". eu-football.info. 11 June 2017.
  53. ^ "Uran Bislimi". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  54. ^ "Agon Sadiku". eu-football.info. 19 November 2022.
  55. ^ "Enis Bunjaki". eu-football.info. 7 September 2014.
  56. ^ "Albion Avdijaj". eu-football.info. 25 May 2014.

External links[edit]