Albania and Serbia’s Unlikely Bid to Co-Host 2027 Men’s Under-21 European Championship
Albania and Serbia Team Up for Unlikely Soccer Tournament Bid
In a surprising turn of events, the soccer federations of Albania and Serbia have joined forces to bid for the co-hosting rights of the 2027 men’s Under-21 European Championship. This unexpected partnership comes just under a decade after a notorious incident known as the drone game in Belgrade, which saw a drone carrying an Albanian nationalist flag disrupt a Euro 2016 qualifying match between the two nations.
The historic tensions between the Balkan neighbors, stemming from conflicts in the 1990s and the declaration of independence by Kosovo in 2008, have made the joint bid a controversial topic among fans and players alike. Despite the opposition, both Albania and Serbia, who have qualified for Euro 2024, are hopeful to stage one of UEFA’s biggest tournaments together.
Albania soccer federation president Armand Duka sees the bid as a positive step towards reconciliation, stating, “In reality it’s a 100% football project. This is actually a very good political message that we can get across. The history between Serbia and Albania is well known.”
However, not everyone is on board with the idea. Some fans have expressed their disapproval through acts of vandalism and protests, questioning why Albania would support Serbia given the historical conflicts between the two nations. Former Albania captain Lorik Cana, who was involved in the drone incident, also voiced his concerns about the co-hosting plan, emphasizing the need for normalized relations before such collaborations can take place.
Despite the challenges, the bid presents an opportunity for Albania to showcase its progress in soccer infrastructure, with the newly built Arena Kombëtare in Tirana serving as a potential venue for the tournament. With Duka’s influence at UEFA and Albania’s recent success in qualifying for major tournaments, the co-hosting bid represents a significant milestone for both nations in their efforts to move past their troubled history and build a better future together.
