Serbia vs Albania to Be Played in Belgrade, Not Leskovac Amid Security Considerations

 The return leg between Serbia and Albania in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will take place at the “Rajko Mitić” Stadium in Belgrade, not in Leskovac as previously rumored. The decision aims to ensure greater control and reduce potential tensions surrounding the high-stakes Balkan derby.

Rajko Mitić Stadium, Belgrade

The Football Association of Serbia confirmed the venue selection through social media, stating that both the match against England on September 9 and the clash with Albania on October 11 will be hosted at Belgrade’s largest football venue. Meanwhile, the final group stage match against Latvia will be held at the “Dubočica” Stadium in Leskovac.

"After a thorough analysis, which—beyond the sporting and organizational aspects—also considered safety and included consultations with UEFA, it was concluded that the 'Rajko Mitić' stadium, as the country’s largest football facility, offers the national team optimal conditions for high-profile matches," the federation stated.

This decision revives memories of the infamous Serbia–Albania match on October 14, 2014, which was abandoned due to serious incidents during the Euro 2016 qualifiers. That match was played at Partizan Stadium in Belgrade and was marred by political tension and crowd disturbances following the appearance of a drone carrying an Albanian nationalist flag.

Given the charged history between the two national teams, UEFA and Serbian authorities appear to be taking extra precautions to ensure a more secure and controlled environment for this upcoming encounter. The October 11 fixture is expected to be one of the most politically and emotionally charged matches of the qualifying campaign.