Albanian Football Association President Armand Duka commented on Albania’s draw in Group C1 of the UEFA Nations League.

Speaking from Brussels to fshf.org, where UEFA held the draw ceremony, Duka said teams win matches on the pitch, not on paper. He stressed the importance of the Nations League but made clear that Albania’s main focus remains the March play-off matches for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

Duka said he never believes teams win through the draw itself. He said competitions are decided on the field. He noted that sometimes a difficult draw leads to better results, and sometimes the opposite happens. He added that the system creates sporting balance because UEFA divides teams into pots according to clear rules.

He said he cannot judge whether Albania was lucky or not. However, he welcomed the fact that the team will not face very long travel distances. He expressed hope that Albania will not play in Finland in November due to very low temperatures, which could affect players.

Duka said the team has time to prepare well for the Nations League and expressed confidence that Albania will perform strongly.

He emphasized that the main priority for all Albanians remains the March play-offs. These matches could secure the final ticket to the 2026 World Cup. After that, the team will fully turn its attention to the Nations League.

Duka described the Nations League as a very important competition. He said it matters not only for promotion to a higher group but also because it can offer a play-off spot for the European Championship qualifiers.

He promised maximum preparation and expressed hope that all players, including more young talents, will be available to compete at their best.

/a.c/