FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The current government is allocating 250,000 euros for Kosovo's success in football so far. Another 500,000 if Slovakia wins, and another 1 million if they qualify for the World Cup.
"We have good news for our football representative, for the boys with whom we are proud in every match, for the historic success in this 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, the passage to the play-off phase, by decision of the Government today we will share 250 thousand euros in reward."
They enter the next phase with full confidence. We are expressing our faith in them with our commitments to them. First, in the event of a victory over Slovakia, we pledge a reward worth 500 thousand euros, and in the event of qualification for the World Cup, we pledge another 1 million euros in reward," said Albin Kurti.
Kosovo will travel to Slovakia to face the hosts in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup play-off.
Slovakia is one of the countries that does not recognize the independence of the Republic of Kosovo and the match could also serve a political purpose.
Agim Ademi, head of the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK), believes that football is "apolitical", but he also opens the door to politics if it wants to use that match for the good of Kosovo.
"Football is apolitical, but if politics wants to use it, let it," Ademi tells "News24".
"We will play football and get results. We want to take Kosovo as high as possible and raise the flag of Kosovo," he emphasizes.
Regarding reaching the playoffs, Ademi says that "the dream has always existed, but certain conditions must be met. The moment has come, the team is at its best and we achieved what is the dream of every national team, to reach the top."
This qualification "means a lot for Kosovo because we only have 9 years of admission to UEFA and FIFA," he adds.
"Football started much earlier, but in these 9 years, getting here is considered a success that should not be denied. We will try to do our best until the end of this competition and this dream," he continued.
Ademi was also asked about his confidence in whether this Kosovo team can reach the summer tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
"To be honest, considering the current form and the results it has achieved and the game it has developed and the tactics that have been used with the national team in recent matches, I strongly believe that it will be difficult for anyone to beat us," said the 64-year-old.
"I believe in the group and these guys and my hope is that the entire team is healthy and safe, that we don't have any injuries, like in other cases where we were missing 4-5 players in the main match."
"We are not a national team that can cope with 4-5 absences, but I believe in the group and I hope we will go to the World Cup," said Ademi, among other things.
Kosovo faces Slovakia on March 26, 2026 with the winner advancing to the play-off final five days later.
If Kosovo wins against Slovakia, the final will be hosted in Pristina, where one of Turkey or Romania will come.
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