Albania vs. Serbia: historical tension in the World Cup classification match

File photo. Albania players observe Serbia Defense Stefan Mitrovic while taking a flag with Albanian national symbols from a distance operated drone.

Photo: AFP – Alexa Stankovic

Serbia And Albania face this Saturday in Tirana (capital of Albania) by the World Cup Qualifiers 2026. Federations try to lower the tone to the party, but the statements of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reactivated the tensions.

“It is mandatory that they bring victory,” Dragan Stojkovic told coach.

🔑The keys to the party between Serbia and Albania (in case he has eagerness)

• The party revives historical and political wounds, especially for the Kosovo war.
• In 2014, a drone with the “Autochthonous” flag (native) that claimed Albanian nationalism, linked to the historical identity and claim about Kosovo, lit a trifulca in Belgrade.
• Almost half of the Albanian players have roots in Kosovo or southern Serbia.
• The federations seek to show unity: in 2027 they will coorganize the European Sub-21.
• Some 1,500 police officers will protect the party.

👉 Why does it matter? Kosovo and its influence on football rivalry

It's not just football. It is national identity, political inheritance and a reflection of a past still unsolved.

Albania and Serbia carry a rivalry that transcends sports and is rooted in decades of political conflict and ethnic tensions, especially for the independence of Kosovo, which Serbia does not yet recognize.

Although the federations try to promote a conciliatory image-even coorganize the European U21 in 2027-the political pressure remains present. The phrase of President Serbio, demanding victory, reactivated old tensions and recalled that, between these two teams, which is played outside the field is as important as the final result.

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🎤 What they say: Serbia demands victory before the match against Albania

“We must be calm. We are soccer players and we should not repeat chaos,” said Elseid Hysaj, Albanian defense he played in 2014.

“Ve y Gánales,” President Vucic demanded before thousands of supporters, with the Serbian coach in the public.

📌 Albania and Serbia seek to build bridges with football

The game will be played without a visitor fan and under strong security. Even so, the environment is loaded. In recent years, UEFA has sanctioned both federations by incidents with political background. Both countries have looked for reconciliation channels, but every time they cross on the court, the past returns. And on Saturday, June 7, it will not be the exception.

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