President Duka wishes Happy New Year 2026: Gratitude to all those who contribute every day to the development of Albanian football

2025-12-31 09:59:00, Sport CNA

President Duka wishes Happy New Year 2026: Gratitude to all those who contribute

The President of the Football Federation, Armand Duka, on the eve of the New Year's holiday, wishes the entire Albanian football community a prosperous year through a video message.

In this video greeting, the head of the Albanian football government expresses his gratitude to all those who contribute every day to the development of Albanian football, while evaluating the year 2025 as a historic year for our beautiful game.

In his message, President Duka mentions the successful organization of the Albanian Football Association, the Euro U-17 finals and the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Tirana, as well as the historic qualification of the Albanian National Team to the play-off phase of the 2026 World Cup.

Below is the full message from President Armand Duka:

"On the eve of the new year, I would like to address the entire Albanian football community to express my sincere gratitude for a year that will remain long in our memory."

The year we are leaving behind has been a historic year for Albanian football. A year where work, vision and dedication turned into concrete results. On the field, in organization and in the growth of our entire football system.

Albania was confirmed as a reliable country and partner for European football, successfully hosting the finals of the European U-17 Championship and welcoming the UEFA Executive Committee to Tirana for the first time. These events showed that our football has reached a new level of professionalism and organization.

The strongest emotions were given to us by the National Team, which for the first time in history secured qualification for the play-off phase of the 2026 World Cup. An achievement that made us proud and that proves that big dreams are achievable when you work with seriousness and confidence. I sincerely hope that this beautiful journey will be crowned with qualification for the first time in the World Cup finals.

During this year we have continued to invest in the foundations of the future: in children and youth, in girls' football, in infrastructure and in club support. Albanian football is growing in numbers, in quality and in social impact.

I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who contribute every day to this journey: footballers, coaches, referees, club managers, technical staff, the AFF administration, our partners, state institutions, the Albanian government for their great help and support.

With this positive spirit, we enter 2026 with strong ambitions to do even more, to advance Albanian football and with a big dream: to be part of the 2026 World Cup,

I wish you all:

Happy Holidays, Happy New Year

And have a great year!”