Bulgarian football legend on Albania’s chances in World Cup play‑offs

Bulgarian football legend Hristo Stoichkov has praised the Albanian national team for its quality but warned that mental strength and character will be decisive in next month’s World Cup play-offs.

Albania will face Poland in the first round, with the winner taking on the victor of the Ukraine–Sweden tie, CE Report quotes ATA.

“It’s a very tough draw. Poland is strong, as are Ukraine and Sweden. At this stage, nothing is easy,” Stoichkov told the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) on the sidelines of the “Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026.”

Comparing the current Albanian squad to past teams, he said the nation has made significant progress over the years.

“When I played against Albania, the situation was different. Today, they have a generation of quality players,” he said, adding that belief and character remain crucial.

However, the former Ballon d’Or winner stressed that mentality remains a key factor.

“They have good players, but sometimes they lack character in crucial moments. I see improvement – they are beginning to believe in themselves, which is very important,” he said.

Stoichkov also praised the coaching staff and wished the team success. Reflecting on young talent, he recalled coaching Armando Vajushi at Litex Lovech, describing him as “very talented with great potential.”

On the World Cup favorites, he highlighted Brazil and Argentina in South America, and Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands in Europe, noting that performance will depend on which teams reach the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

Stoichkov also toured Al Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi, attending events and meeting athletes and fans during a “meet and greet” session.