Two Italy-born footballers have reportedly received invitations from new Albania national team coach Rolando Maran as the Albanian Football Federation continues efforts to strengthen the squad with young talents from the Albanian diaspora.
According to Albanian media reports, the players are part of a growing group of footballers developed in Italian academies who are being monitored by the Albanian national team setup ahead of upcoming international matches and future competitions.
Coach Maran, who was officially appointed as Albania’s new head coach this month, has already begun evaluating players competing in Italy and across Europe as he prepares for a new cycle with the national team.
One of the names previously linked with Albania’s plans is Kristian Shpendi, the Cesena striker born in Italy, who recently received an official invitation from the national team staff for the upcoming friendlies.
The Albanian Football Federation has increasingly focused on recruiting players born and raised abroad, particularly in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and England, where large Albanian communities have produced several promising football talents.
Maran has stated that Albania’s objectives include building a competitive squad for the Nations League and the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign, while continuing to pursue the country’s long-term dream of qualifying for a FIFA World Cup.