Albania’s national team coach, Sylvinho, called qualifying for the 2026 World Cup a mission. He spoke in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere.it.

Tomorrow at 20:45, Albania faces Andorra. The team aims for three points to reach the playoff stage.

Sylvinho highlighted the team’s growth. “Three years ago, qualifying was a dream. Now, it’s a mission. The hope to reach a World Cup excites the entire country, at home and abroad,” he said.

He praised previous Italian coaches like De Biasi, Reja, and Panuçi for preparing the ground. He also noted the advantage of players trained in Italy and his own five years at Coverciano.

Sylvinho emphasized team work. “We built strong technical staff and nurtured diaspora talent. That makes the difference,” he said.

He highlighted individual players. Asllani, for instance, grew after moving from Inter to Torino. “He now balances attack and defense, strengthening the team,” Sylvinho added.

The coach recalled the Serbia match. “It was more than football. Our 0-0 draw in Belgrade showed respect despite the tense geopolitical context. When we returned to Tirana, people celebrated with joy,” he said.

Sylvinho explained the strategy for the playoffs. “If we qualify, we avoid facing Italy first. That helps our path. We take it step by step. Everything depends on results, but we are prepared,” he said.

He concluded with optimism. “We live with the people, breathe the atmosphere, and stay fully committed. Reaching the World Cup is a dream, but we remain focused and ready for every challenge,” Sylvinho said.

The interview shows Albania’s ambition and careful planning as the team edges closer to the World Cup.

/a.c/