This Saturday, Albania and Serbia will face off in a super important World Cup qualifying game in Tirana. It’s more than just football—this match brings back memories of a chaotic clash nearly 11 years ago.
Back in 2014, a match between these teams in Serbia had to be stopped when a drone flew into the stadium carrying a controversial flag. That flag showed a map called “Greater Albania,” which caused a big mess on and off the pitch. Since then, every match between Albania and Serbia has been tense.
This time, the Albanian authorities are making sure everything goes smoothly. Around 2,000 police officers will be on duty, with special forces and undercover cops blending in with the crowd. No Serbian fans are allowed, and anti-drone technology will protect the stadium. If anything flies overhead, it’ll be taken down fast.
One man everyone remembers from 2014 is Ismail Morina, the guy behind the drone stunt. He became a kind of hero in Albania, but he also got into legal trouble. Lately, he’s been staying out of the spotlight, and people think he won’t be anywhere near the stadium this weekend.
To keep things calm, the Albanian football group didn’t sell tickets directly to fan groups. Instead, they used a random draw system and raised prices. This made some fans angry—especially the group Tifozat Kuq e Zi, who called it a “rich people’s show.” They’ll be watching the game at a big screen event nearby, just 400 meters from the stadium.
This game is also a huge chance for goals. Both teams have strong attackers but shaky defenses. Many fans and experts believe the match could see Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score (BTTS)—which means it might be a high-scoring, exciting game!
And it’s not just about this one match. Albania and Serbia are set to co-host the UEFA U21 Championship in 2027, so both sides want things to go smoothly. A peaceful night will be good for football’s future in the region.
Albania defender Elseid Hysaj, who played in the 2014 game, said, “We don’t want to repeat what happened. We need to stay calm.” Coach Sylvinho also wants his players to stay focused. The same goes for Serbia’s coach Dragan Stojković, who knows this match could decide who gets a playoff spot behind group favorites England.
Serbia arrived safely in Tirana on Friday afternoon with police escorts, and the city is hoping for a peaceful and passionate night of football.
🆚 Head-to-Head Record (Before June 2025 Match)
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 2014 | Serbia vs Albania | Abandoned |
| Oct 8, 2015 | Albania vs Serbia | Serbia 2–0 |
Serbia Wins: 1
Albania Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Goals Scored (Total): Albania 0 – 2 Serbia
This weekend’s game will be their third official clash—and the first time they meet at Arena Kombëtare.
