The Serbian national football team arrived today in Tirana, where they were escorted by Albanian authorities under heavy police security from the “Mother Teresa” International Airport in Rinas to the city center.
The match between Serbia and Albania, part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, will take place on Saturday, June 7, at the “Arena Kombëtare” stadium in the Albanian capital. The entire event is being held under heightened security measures across Tirana.
According to an official statement by the Albanian State Police, security units have implemented a plan to ensure a “safe and incident-free event, in accordance with international security standards.”
“The State Police will continue to implement all measures foreseen in the Special Plan to ensure the smooth running of the sporting event, maintain public order and peace, and prevent any possible incidents,” the statement reads.
The match is considered of high importance for both teams, not only for World Cup qualification but also due to the long-standing historical and political tensions between the two countries.
Citizens and football supporters have been called upon to contribute to a sporting, dignified, and cultural atmosphere, in line with the “rules and tradition of Albanian hospitality.”
Security Measures in North Mitrovica
Additional security measures have also been announced in North Mitrovica. According to Veton Elshani, Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the North Region, police presence will be increased on Saturday.
He stated that the police are carrying out planned activities to ensure the safety and security of all citizens and to prevent potential incidents during and after the match.
From “Greater Albania” in Belgrade to a Joint European Championship
Political tensions have previously affected sporting relations between Serbia and Albania.
A friendly match between the two teams on October 14, 2014, at the Partizan Stadium in Belgrade was interrupted in the 42nd minute after a drone carrying a flag depicting so-called “Greater Albania” flew over the pitch.
The incident triggered a clash between players of both teams, followed by a large-scale brawl as Serbian fans stormed the field and attacked Albanian players. Security forces failed to regain control, and the match was abandoned by the referee for safety reasons.
UEFA later registered the match as a 3:0 victory for Albania and deducted three points from Serbia. The event, widely covered by media in Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, and the diaspora, was one of the most dramatic episodes in the sporting relationship between the two nations.
The next encounter between the two teams was held on October 8, 2015, in Tirana as part of the qualifiers for the 2016 UEFA European Championship.
Serbia won that match 2:0, and the game unfolded in a considerably calmer atmosphere compared to the 2014 fixture.
Despite ongoing political tensions, both teams sought to move past the earlier incident and focus on the sporting aspect of their rivalry. No major incidents occurred during the match.
Toward a Joint Tournament
Less than a decade after the 2014 incident, Serbia and Albania are set to co-host a major sporting event.
In early February 2025, UEFA officially confirmed that Serbia and Albania will jointly organize the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Both national football associations welcomed the decision.
The tournament will feature 16 participating teams, with each country hosting eight teams.
The opening match will be held at the Karađorđe Stadium in Novi Sad, with other matches in Serbia scheduled for stadiums in Loznica, Leskovac, and Zaječar.
In Albania, matches will be played in Tirana, Shkodër, Durrës, and Elbasan.
This will be the largest football event hosted by either country in recent history, and Serbia’s most significant since 2011.
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