From July to October, Albian Hajdari’s name was widely discussed, especially following his transfer from Lugano to Hoffenheim and, most notably, his decision to play for Kosovo instead of Switzerland.
In a detailed interview with Corriere del Ticino, Hajdari revealed the reasons behind his choice to represent Kosovo.
The 22-year-old central defender made his debut for Kosovo last month, playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw against Slovenia and in the 1-0 victory over Sweden, earning recognition as one of the best performers on the pitch.
“The Football Federation of Kosovo expressed interest in me for a year and a half, a period during which I also debuted with Switzerland. Managing all the situations was not easy. I am Kosovar and I feel Kosovar. I had numerous conversations with both Murat Yakin and Kosovo’s coach Franco Foda. The feeling I experienced during these discussions, combined with more personal considerations, pushed me and my circle to choose Kosovo,” Hajdari explained.
He stated that his dream with Kosovo is to qualify for a World Cup or European Championship. He believes the team has a real chance to reach a major tournament for the first time.
Kosovo is currently competing for a spot in next year’s World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In Group B, Kosovo sits second with seven points, Switzerland leads with ten points, Slovenia is third with three points, and Sweden is last with one point.
Kosovo faces two decisive matches this month: on November 15, they play Slovenia in Ljubljana, and on November 18, they host Switzerland in Pristina.
“Small Kosovo can make history by qualifying for a major tournament for the first time. The opportunity is there, and we have to seize it—even if it means Switzerland fails against Sweden. We are aware of this, just as we know we must collect as many points as possible in Ljubljana and in Pristina against Switzerland. Experiencing this adventure with teammates and former clubmates like Kreshnik Hajrizi and Amir Shaipi makes everything even more special. For them, still playing in leagues like the Super League, the stakes are high,” Hajdari emphasized.
He also expressed confidence in Shaipi, believing he will remain important for Lugano. Hajdari had previously played with Shaipi at Lugano before joining Hoffenheim in the summer.
“It’s even harder for a goalkeeper to handle such dynamics. Amiri started the season as the number one and suddenly found himself on the bench. We had the chance to talk about this during the last national team gathering, and knowing his character, I believe what happened with Cornaredo could make him stronger. You can only learn from situations like those he experienced by reacting and showing—through your skills and values—that you can return to being Lugano’s starting goalkeeper. I am confident he can, and that’s certainly what I hope for him,” Hajdari said.
Shaipi is Kosovo’s second-choice goalkeeper, and since early September, he has also been the second-choice goalkeeper for his Swiss club, Lugano.
Shaipi is expected to start for Kosovo in the upcoming match against Slovenia, as first-choice goalkeeper Aro Muriqi is suspended.
