Cikalleshi Moldova AlbaniaGetty

Albania Euro 2024 squad: Who is Sylvinho bringing to the European Championship?

Albania will be working towards claiming a ticket past the group stage. That will be the dream when they head to the Euro 2024 in June.

Albania have earned qualification for the UEFA European Championship twice, in 2016 and 2024. In both instances, they secured a top-two position in their qualifying group to directly qualify.

Their participation in Euro 2016 marked their debut appearance in a major tournament final. They will be looking to make an impact in their third attempt when they head for the 2024 edition. But who will make Sylvinho's squad for the Euro 2024? GOAL takes a look...

  • BerishaGetty Images

    GOALKEEPERS

    The experienced Etrit Berisha will be the first-choice goalkeeper for Albania at Euro 2024. Brentford's Thomas Strakosha is also expected to compete for that position, with Simon Simoni and Elhan Kastrati acting as backup choices.

    NameClub
    Simon SimoniFrankfurt
    Elhan KastratiCittadella
    Thomas StrakoshaBrentford
    Etrit BerishaEmpoli
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  • HysajGetty Images

    DEFENDERS

    Ardian Ismajli, Mario Mitaj, Ivan Balliu and Elseid Hysaj are likely to form the preferred wall of defence at the back for the team. Unless there are changes forced by injuries, these four players are guaranteed to be included in the squad for the Euro 2024.

    NameClub
    Iván BalliuRayo Vallecano
    Mario MitajLokomotiv Moscow
    Elseid HysajLazio
    Berat GjimshitiAtalanta
    Enea MihajFamalicão
    Marash KumbullaSassuolo
    Naser AlijiVoluntari
    Arlind ArjetiCFR Cluj-Napoca
    Adrian IsmailjiEmpoli
  • Kristjan Asllani(C)Getty Images

    MIDFIELDERS

    Kristjan Asllani and Nedim Bajrami are frontrunners to occupy the midfield slots in the Albania national team when they head to the Euros. Qazim Laci and Yiber Ramadan will also expect to be part of the final squad.

    NameClub
    Medon BerishaLecce
    Nedim BajramiSassuolo
    Qazim LaçiSparta Prague
    Ylber RamadaniLecce
    Kristjan AsllaniInter Milan
    Amir AbrashiGrasshoppers
    Klaus GjasulaDarmstadt
    Ernest MuciBesiktas
  • Armando Broja Chelsea AlbaniaGetty

    FORWARDS

    Konyaspor's Sokol Cikalleshi is the most experienced player who was available for selection up front for Albania and was expected to be a guaranteed pick in the national team squad. However, he was left out of the provisional squad and as a result, the player announced his retirement from international football.

    Rey Manaj, Armando Broja and Daku will all compete for a spot in the starting lineup and are expected to be part of the squad.

    NameClub
    Rey ManajSivasspor
    Jasir AsaniGwangju FC
    Taulant SeferiBaniyas
    Armando BrojaFulham
    Arbër HoxhaDinamo Zagreb
    Mirlind DakuRubin Kazan
  • Sylvinho Albania 2023Getty

    EXPECTED XI

    Head coach Sylvinho is expected to field his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with the experienced Berisha in goal.

    Forming a solid defence at the back will likely be Ardian Ismajli, Mario Mitaj, Ivan Balliu and Elseid Hysaj. In the midfield, Laci, Kristjan Asllani and Nedim Bajrami are front-runners.

    Broja, Mirlind Daku and Manaj are likely to fill the final third.

    Albania (4-2-3-1): Berisha; Ismajli, Mitaj, Balliu, Hysaj; Laci, Asllani, Bejrami; Broja; Daku, Manaj