As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign intensifies, Latvia is gearing up for home match against Albania on June 10 at the Skonto Stadium in Rīga. The Albanian national team recently announced their squad for the upcoming fixtures, which include a home game against Serbia on June 7 in Tirana, followed by the trip to Latvia three days later.
Albania enters this phase of qualification with mixed recent results — a 0-2 defeat to England and a convincing 3-0 victory over Andorra in March. Latvia, in contrast, wrapped up their matches against these same opponents with a 0-3 loss to England but celebrated a 1-0 win against Andorra. One player to watch from the Albanian side is striker Rey Manaj, who has been prolific against Andorra and is once again included in their squad.
The Albanian team boasts a strong roster featuring players from top European leagues, underscoring the challenge Latvia will face on home soil. Among their ranks is Armando Broja, who has featured in 10 English Premier League matches this season, Myrto Uzuni, who has recently moved to the MLS in the United States, was still one of the top scorers in Spain’s La Liga last season with 11 goals.
The squad also includes several players active in Italy’s Serie A and other prominent European leagues, adding quality and experience to Albania’s lineup. This diverse mix of talent will test Latvia’s preparations as they seek to secure crucial points in the qualification standings.
Albanian National Team Candidates List
Goalkeepers
- Thomas Strakosha (AEK Athens, Greece)
- Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella, Italy)
- Alen Sherri (Cagliari, Italy)
- Mario Daisinani (Egnatia, Albania)
Defenders
- Berat Gjimshiti (Atalanta, Italy)
- Elseid Hysaj (Lazio, Italy)
- Ivan Balliu (Rayo Vallecano, Spain)
- Ardian Ismajli (Empoli, Italy)
- Arlind Ajeti (Bodrum, Turkey)
- Nasir Aliji (Dinamo City Tirana, Albania)
- Mario Mitaj (Al-Ittihad Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
- Marash Kumbulla (Espanyol, Italy)
- Adrian Bajrami (Benfica, Portugal)
Midfielders
- Kristian Asllani (Inter Milan, Italy)
- Nedim Bajrami (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)
- Ilber Ramadani (Lecce, Italy)
- Medon Berisha (Lecce, Italy)
- Kasim Laçi (Sparta Prague, Czech Republic)
- Julian Shehu (Widzew Łódź, Poland)
- Adrion Pajaziti (Gorica, Croatia)
- Arber Hoja (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia)
Forwards
- Jasir Asani (Gwangju, South Korea)
- Armando Broja (Everton, England)
- Mirlind Daku (Rubin Kazan, Russia)
- Rey Manaj (Sivasspor, Turkey)
- Myrto Uzuni (Austin FC, USA)
- Ernest Muçi (Beşiktaş, Turkey)
