Fun with the "dark horse" Kosovo

The young Kosovo team just defeated the "big guy" Sweden with a score of 2-0, causing a shock no less than Slovakia's victory over Germany.

On the world football map, Kosovo is a very young team with only 9 years of age since officially joining FIFA and UEFA in 2016. "Tiny" Kosovo has still managed to leave its mark with memorable milestones.

Nations League milestone

In 2019, Kosovo made their first splash when they topped a League D group in the Nations League. That achievement took them to the play-off round for a Euro 2020 ticket, only to be stopped when they lost 1-2 to North Macedonia. Their dream of participating in a major tournament was shattered, but Kosovo proved that they were not just "newbies" but were capable of competing with their senior opponents.

Kosovo emerged as an interesting phenomenon in the European World Cup qualifiers (Photo: UEFA)

Despite not being successful in the Euro 2024 qualifiers when falling into a group with many famous faces from the old continent, Kosovo still made certain progress with half of the matches ending in draws. That journey added to the belief that Kosovo has truly matured, capable of challenging more established football teams.

New opportunities in World Cup qualifiers

The 2026 World Cup will see an expansion of the number of participating teams, offering a huge opportunity for young teams. Kosovo entered the tournament with a clear sense of confidence. After a resounding 5-2 victory over Armenia in June 2025, Kosovo continued to cause a stir when they defeated Sweden at home in Prishtina in the early morning of September 9.

Scoring 2 goals and neutralizing an attack worth around 200 million pounds with the "hot" names of European football such as Anthony Elanga (Newcastle), Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) and Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Kosovo touched history. They beat an opponent who had participated in many World Cups and Euros and the result was not just 3 points. That is the affirmation: Kosovo now has enough courage to dream of the biggest football festival on the planet.

Names like Vedat Muriqi, Milot Rashica or Arber Zeneli are the core of the fast, direct and energetic playing style. The Kosovo team has proven that football does not only belong to the big traditional teams if they know how to defend well and take advantage of opportunities.

In the context of Europe having only 12 direct World Cup spots plus 4 play-off spots, the opportunity for mid-level teams is certainly not easy when having to compete with "powerhouses" such as France, Germany, Portugal or England. Therefore, the second place in the group to compete for the play-off is a possible goal for Kosovo and many other "dark horse" teams.

Kosovo is a special team because the majority of the squad consists of players born and raised in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden or England but still choose to wear the shirt of their homeland. They bring a blend of modern European football and national love, making Kosovo "the team of returnees".

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thu-vi-voi-ngua-o-kosovo-196250909214843579.htm