• Kosovo are gearing up for their Fifa-approved debut on the international scene when they play a friendly match against Haiti, the first in their six-year history as an independent state. Armend Nimani / AFP
    Kosovo are gearing up for their Fifa-approved debut on the international scene when they play a friendly match against Haiti, the first in their six-year history as an independent state. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • Kosovo is recognised by 23 of the 28 European Union member states and 108 members of the United Nations, but not Russia. Armend Nimani / AFP
    Kosovo is recognised by 23 of the 28 European Union member states and 108 members of the United Nations, but not Russia. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • Kosovo will play Haiti in the town of Mitrovica, nearly 40 kilometres north of the capital Pristina. Armend Nimani / AFP
    Kosovo will play Haiti in the town of Mitrovica, nearly 40 kilometres north of the capital Pristina. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • The stadium in Mitrovica is the only one in the country of 1.7 million that meets Fifa criteria for staging international matches. Armend Nimani / AFP
    The stadium in Mitrovica is the only one in the country of 1.7 million that meets Fifa criteria for staging international matches. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • The 17,000 tickets available for the game against Haiti were sold out within seven hours of going on sale. Armend Nimani / AFP
    The 17,000 tickets available for the game against Haiti were sold out within seven hours of going on sale. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • Kosovo, not yet a member of the United Nations, cannot join Uefa or Fifa, though the Kosovan Football Association have petitioned both groups for inclusion. Armend Nimani / AFP
    Kosovo, not yet a member of the United Nations, cannot join Uefa or Fifa, though the Kosovan Football Association have petitioned both groups for inclusion. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • Would-be Kosovan internationals like Xherdan Shaqiri of Bayern Munich, Granit Xhaka of Borussia Monchengladbach and Valon Behrami of Napoli have voiced support for the Kosovo team. Armend Nimani / AFP
    Would-be Kosovan internationals like Xherdan Shaqiri of Bayern Munich, Granit Xhaka of Borussia Monchengladbach and Valon Behrami of Napoli have voiced support for the Kosovo team. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • The Kosovan FA hopes Kosovo willb ecome a full Fifa member and enter qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Visar Kryeziu / AP
    The Kosovan FA hopes Kosovo willb ecome a full Fifa member and enter qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. Visar Kryeziu / AP
  • While Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, Serbia does not recognise Kosovo and sees it as a historic part of its territory. Armend Nimani / AFP
    While Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, Serbia does not recognise Kosovo and sees it as a historic part of its territory. Armend Nimani / AFP
  • Kosovo prime minister Hashim Thaci, centre right, holds up the national team jersey bearing his name during a training session by the team. Visar Kryeziu / AP
    Kosovo prime minister Hashim Thaci, centre right, holds up the national team jersey bearing his name during a training session by the team. Visar Kryeziu / AP
  • The match, to be played on Wednesday March 5, 2014, will be the first of any kind Kosovo have played in two years. Even then, they played against local sides rather than other nations. Visar Kryeziu / AP
    The match, to be played on Wednesday March 5, 2014, will be the first of any kind Kosovo have played in two years. Even then, they played against local sides rather than other nations. Visar Kryeziu / AP
  • Kosovo's national football team players poses for a picture during a training session a day before they meet Haiti, ranked 79th in the world. Armend Nimani / AFP
    Kosovo's national football team players poses for a picture during a training session a day before they meet Haiti, ranked 79th in the world. Armend Nimani / AFP

Sport

In pictures: Kosovo ready for first international friendly

Jake Badger

March 05, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia six years ago, but has not gained recognition from Fifa or Uefa as they have not yet been admitted into the United Nations. However, they will on Wednesday play their first official international friendly, hosting 79th-ranked Haiti in the town of Mitrovica, nearly 40 kilometres north of the capital Pristina.

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