Kosovo: The Youngest Country Dreaming of Playing in a World Cup

Kosovo declared its independence on February 17, 2008. Thus began the story of one of the youngest countries in the world, a nation that, interestingly, features players older than the country they represent.

On May 13, 2016, during the FIFA Congress held in Mexico, Kosovo was admitted as an official member. That day not only marked its entry into international football, but also the beginning of a dream: to compete in a World Cup.

Their first official match came on November 17, 2018, and it could not have gone better: a dominant 0-5 victory over Malta. It was the first step for a national team starting to write its own history.

However, the journey was far from easy. In the qualifiers for Russia 2018, Kosovo finished last in Group I without a single win. On paper, the group seemed manageable, but reality proved otherwise: they faced the best Iceland side in its history and Croatia, who would go on to finish as World Cup runners-up. It was, without a doubt, a true baptism by fire for the Dardanet.

Heading into Qatar 2022, the team showed signs of growth. Although they once again finished last in their group — alongside Spain, Sweden, Greece, and Georgia — they achieved an important milestone: their first-ever World Cup qualifying victory, defeating Georgia 0-1 away from home. It was a clear sign that progress was real.

Today, Kosovo enters a new qualifying campaign with a more mature and competitive generation. Players like Vedat Muriqi, striker for Mallorca and the country’s all-time top scorer; Edon Zhegrova, one of their main attacking threats; and Mërgim Vojvoda, with experience in Serie A, lead a team that believes it can make history.

Despite this, expectations were not in their favor. Many analysts once again predicted a last-place finish, with no real chances of qualification. But Kosovo surprised everyone: the team coached by Franco Foda lost only one match throughout the campaign, finished second in their group, and secured a place in the playoffs.

Now, the dream is more alive than ever. Kosovo will look to defeat Slovakia to bring a decisive clash to Pristina against either Turkey or Romania. And perhaps destiny has something greater in store.

Maybe it will be at home, in front of their fans, where they achieve the greatest feat in their history. And perhaps it is no coincidence that their path brings them closer to the 2026 World Cup, hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada… the same continent where they were once welcomed into the world of international football.

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