(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Swiss U21 Star Leon Avdullahu Chooses Kosovo Ahead of World Cup Qualifier
Swiss Under-21 midfielder Leon Avdullahu has decided to represent Kosovo, his parents’ homeland, ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying match between the two nations on September 5.
The decision comes as a disappointment for Switzerland’s football federation, with national teams manager Pierluigi Tami saying the Swiss side was “disappointed that he now wishes to pursue a different path.”
Avdullahu, 21, currently plays for Hoffenheim and becomes the latest player of Kosovar heritage to choose Kosovo over Switzerland. The two countries share deep football connections, largely shaped by migration from the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s, which brought stars like Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Kosovo officially joined UEFA and FIFA in 2016, allowing eligible players to switch national teams before playing a competitive match at the senior level. Kosovo Football Federation president Agim Ademi confirmed Avdullahu’s switch in an Instagram post on Monday.
Tami emphasized Switzerland’s philosophy: “We only want players in our national teams who identify 100% with our country and our national team.”
This move sets the stage for an intriguing showdown when Switzerland faces Kosovo in the World Cup qualifier next month, with Avdullahu potentially featuring for the visitors.
