Today in Belgrade, Serbia, the 49th UEFA Congress took place, where significant decisions were made regarding the development of European football.

Prominent figures from the world of football were in attendance, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and several other renowned personalities. The Albanian delegation consisted of the President of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF), Armand Duka, Vice President of FSHF, Lufti Nuri, Secretary General of FSHF, Ilir Shulku, and Administrative Director of FSHF, Aldi Topçi. A delegation from Kosovo also attended, led by the President of the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK), Agim Ademi, and Secretary General of FFK, Markus Weidner.

The congress was chaired by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who delivered an important speech emphasizing football as a tool for unity and inspiration across the globe. He highlighted the upcoming 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany, stating that “where politics divides, football builds bridges.”

In his address, President Čeferin also mentioned the joint organization of the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by Albania and Serbia, calling it a great reminder that there are no borders in European football. He urged everyone to leave behind the history of the past and work together for a better future.

“European football must continue to stand as a model of unity in a world that is becoming more divided. We unite and inspire. This is our mission, and we are fully committed to it,” Čeferin said.

He further added, “The 2024 European Championship, with its electrifying atmosphere in the stadiums and the millions of fans it inspired worldwide, reminded us that where politics divides, football builds bridges. We were not divided, but worked together to showcase the biggest social movement in Europe.”

“Football is more than a sport: it is a reflection and a model of society. It speaks a universal language that transcends borders, unites communities, and inspires dreams. That’s why we see the 2027 UEFA U-21 finals, to be held in Albania and Serbia, as a great reminder that there are no borders in European football.”

“Football is more than the history of the past; it is the future we are building, and we are building it together,” concluded UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

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