The ongoing political chaos in Serbia has now spilled into the sports arena, with the upcoming World Cup qualifier between Serbia and Albania on October 11 becoming the latest flashpoint.
During Serbia’s last match at the “Marakana” Stadium in Belgrade against England, which ended in a humiliating 5-0 defeat, tensions escalated beyond football. The stadium echoed not only with racist chants against Kosovo but also with relentless anti-Vučić slogans, sparking political alarm in Belgrade.
According to local media, it was precisely these anti-government protests inside the stadium that pushed President Aleksandar Vučić to request a venue change for the Albania match. Instead of the 52,000-seat Belgrade stadium, the match will now be played at the much smaller Leskovac Stadium, with just 8,000 seats, allowing authorities to exercise tighter control.
Speaking on Serbian sports programs, Vučić harshly criticized the Serbian Football Federation, claiming he had warned them not to stage the England match in Belgrade:
“I said at the time that playing against England in Belgrade would not end well, but they didn’t listen. Now they admit it was a mistake, and we will face Albania in Leskovac. Maybe we will lose, maybe we will win, but at least there will be the best possible atmosphere. If UEFA allows fans after the incidents against England, people will cheer for Serbia with all their strength and heart.”
Although UEFA has not yet issued an official statement, sources from the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) told Top Channel that approval has already been granted for the change of venue.
This match is crucial for both teams’ qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Currently, Albania sits in second place, one point ahead of Serbia, though the Serbs have one game in hand.
