Football
HISTORY FOR THE RED AND BLACK GIRLS: ALBANIA TO FACE WALES IN THE 2027 WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS
Armir Grima Believes in His Team
The Albania Women's National Team continues to make history. After securing a place in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 play-offs for the first time ever, the Red and Blacks have learned their next opponent: Wales.
The UEFA draw has paired Albania with Wales in the first round of the Women's World Cup Brazil 2027 play-offs, setting up a challenging but exciting opportunity for Albanian women's football.
The first leg will be played in Albania, while the return match will take place in Wales. According to UEFA's preliminary schedule, the matches are expected to be played on October 7 and October 13, 2026.
A Historic Achievement
Reaching the play-offs represents the greatest achievement in the history of Albania's Women's National Team. Head coach Armir Grima and his players secured qualification thanks to a spectacular 5-2 victory over Montenegro at the "Loro Boriçi" Stadium in Shkodër.
The triumph capped an impressive campaign in UEFA Women's Nations League B, where Albania collected seven points and demonstrated remarkable progress both tactically and offensively.
The Road to the Play-Offs
Recent results:
🇦🇱 Albania 5-2 Montenegro 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 1-1 Albania 🇦🇱 Albania 0-1 Wales 🏴 Wales 4-0 Albania
Although Wales won both previous meetings during the qualifying campaign, the most recent match in Elbasan was decided by a single goal, proving that the gap between the two sides has narrowed considerably.
Armir Grima Believes in His Team
Head coach Armir Grima considers this achievement a reward for years of hard work by the players and the investment made in women's football in Albania.
Grima has repeatedly emphasized that the team's greatest strength is its unity, determination, and collective spirit—qualities that could help Albania challenge a strong Welsh side.
Key Players
Albania will rely on several standout performers:
⭐ Megi Doçi – Team captain and leading goalscorer, who netted twice in the decisive victory over Montenegro.
⭐ Fortesa Berisha – One of the team's most dangerous attacking players, known for her pace and clinical finishing.
⭐ Arbiona Bajraktari – A crucial figure in midfield and defense, providing balance and leadership.
⭐ Rajmonda Spahiu – The first-choice goalkeeper whose key saves played a major role throughout the qualification campaign.
What Comes Next?
If Albania successfully eliminates Wales, the team will advance to the second play-off round, where they will face the winner of the Romania vs Norway tie.
Those matches will be played in November and December 2026, bringing Albania one step closer to a historic place at the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027.
For the Red and Blacks, the dream is alive. History has already been made, but Albania now aims to write the greatest chapter in its football journey.
Upcoming Play-Off Matches
🇦🇱 Albania vs Wales 🏴 📅 First Leg: October 7, 2026 (Albania) 📅 Second Leg: October 13, 2026 (Wales)