The Albania U-21 national team will compete in the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games, one of the most prestigious sporting events in the Mediterranean region, which will take place in Italy from 23 August to 1 September 2026.
The football tournament will feature eight national teams divided into two groups. Albania has been drawn in Group B alongside Italy, Algeria, and Kosovo. Group A consists of Morocco, Türkiye, Tunisia, and North Macedonia.
The competition will follow a two-group format, with each team playing one match against every other team in its group. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, while the winners will advance to the final to compete for the gold medal.
Tournament matches will be played at four Italian stadiums: Stadio Iacovone in Taranto, Stadio Ettore Giardiniero in Lecce, Stadio Fanuzzi in Brindisi, and Stadio Giovanni Paolo II in Francavilla Fontana.
The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport event organized under the auspices of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG), bringing together athletes from countries across the Mediterranean region. The men’s football tournament is reserved for U-21 players, providing an important platform for the development and promotion of young talent.
For the Albania U-21 national team, participation in Taranto 2026 represents a valuable opportunity to gain international experience and compete against high-quality opponents in a tournament of a high sporting standard.
