The Albanian national team has officially secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs, following a hard-fought 1–0 victory against Andorra and England’s win over Serbia.
Despite dominating possession and tempo throughout the match, Albania struggled to convert opportunities during a largely ineffective first half. The closest chance came when Berat Gjimshiti struck the crossbar after a well-placed corner kick.
Second-Half Changes Shift the Momentum
The match took a decisive turn after the introduction of Myrto Uzuni and Nedim Bajrami, whose creativity and movement transformed Albania’s attack.
Their impact proved immediate. Bajrami orchestrated a precise forward movement, finding Uzuni on the flank. Uzuni then delivered a perfectly timed pass to Kristjan Asllani, who fired a stunning long-range strike to give Albania the breakthrough goal.
Controlled Finish Secures Qualification
Following the lead, Albania maintained tactical discipline, focusing on defensive stability while still creating several counter-attacking opportunities. The 1–0 scoreline held firm until the final whistle.
With this victory, Albania stands at 14 points, four ahead of Serbia. This means that regardless of the result against England in Tirana, the team has mathematically secured second place and a play-off berth.
Next Steps
The play-off draw will take place on November 21, with Albania placed in Pot 3, where it will learn its path toward earning a historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
