On this day in 2016, the Football Federation of Kosova made history by becoming the 210th member of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). During the 66th FIFA Congress held in Mexico City, Kosova received overwhelming support, with 141 votes in favor and with only 23 against. This milestone allowed the country’s national team to participate in the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup.

Fadil Vokrri, the President of the Football Federation of Kosova, expressed his gratitude and excitement at the Congress, saying, “This is a very important moment. The players will welcome the decision.” With 86% of the members voting for Kosova’s membership, the country’s flag was unveiled, symbolizing its entry into the global football community.

The acceptance into FIFA marked a significant achievement for Kosova, which had faced numerous challenges in the past due to political reasons. The country’s football scene had been hampered by bans and restrictions imposed by the Serbian regime during the 1990s. The long-awaited FIFA membership finally allowed Kosova to showcase its football talent on the world stage and provided a platform for the country’s athletes to fulfill their dreams.

As a FIFA member, Kosova’s national team and football clubs can now participate in international matches and prestigious competitions. They also benefit from financial support and resources provided by FIFA, helping to further develop and strengthen Kosova’s football landscape.