Geneva (AP) – Under 21 player Leon Abdullaf has chosen to play in his parents’ home country of Kosovo in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers group on September 5th, ahead of the match between two senior teams.
The Swiss Football Federation was “disappointed that he now wants to pursue a different path,” National Team manager Pierluigi Tami said in a statement Tuesday.
Switzerland and Kosovo have come close to football ties, especially as migration from former Yugoslavia in the 1990s brought future stars, including Granite Zaka and Xherdan Shaqiri.
The relationship became more complicated when the now independent Republic of Kosovo became officially complicated I participated in Soccer Body UEFA FIFA in 2016. FIFA Rules Typically, multiple countries will be able to change before playing a competitive game for a senior national team.
The switch by 21-year-old Hoffenheim midfielder Abdullaf was confirmed late Monday by the president of the Kosovo Football Federation Instagram posts by Agim Ademi.
In Switzerland, Tami said: “But I want to make it clear that we only want national team players who identify our country, national teams and 100%.”
Avdullahu is now available for choice when Kosovo plays for Switzerland and Basel next week.
With Swiss Captain Zaka CrazyHe left the national team last year, and both appeared in Basel, representing the adoption nation of his family, with roots in Kosovo and Albania.
Swiss Youth International has changed eligibility to play in Kosovo on a regular basis, and this month FIFA approved these moves for the outlook for Kevin Krasniki and Leonfrocazi.
Swiss soccer “already has dealt with this subject several times,” Tami said.
One of the most famous cases was Ivan Rakiticanother Basel Protage and Swiss Under 21 player. He played over 100 games in Croatia, including the 2018 World Cup Final Loss.
Switzerland has decided that another top prospect will change eligibility this month as 18-year-old Fiorentina defender Eman Kospo will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in the future.
Switzerland is eligible to play in the final five men’s World Cup with key squad members with Balkan family ties, including Valon Bellami, Shakili, Xhaka, Brelim Desimairi and Mario Gablanovic. AC Milan playmaker Ardon Jashari is now taking part.
Kosovo and Switzerland are one of the toughest European qualifying groups in the World Cup with Slovenia and Sweden. Only the winners of the November group will advance directly to the US, Canada and Mexico final tournaments.
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