Eight years from Kosovo membership in FIFA

As today eight years ago, Kosovo became FIFA's 210th member. The FFK received 141 votes for membership, out of 164 votes at FIFA's 66th Congress that was held in Mexico.

After breaking 25-year isolation with May 3rd 2016 with membership in U EFA, the mission of the Kosovo Football Federation, was completed on 13 May 2016, when Kosovo was accepted by majority as a FIFA member. A full journey could and sacrifices that opened, however, a new page of Kosovo football history.

At the FIFA Congress, prior to the vote for FFK membership, the attendees were addressed to FIFA Council member Senesh Erzic, who stressed that Kosovo had fulfilled all criteria to be part of FIFA.

Later, a speech was given by then Chairman of the FFK, the late Fadil Vokrri, who explained to delegates that football in Kosovo has a great history and was reminded that Kosovo had already been accepted by the International Olympic Committee and by many other international sports federations.

At the end of his speech, Vokrri said football is for everyone and everyone should be for football, demanding that Kosovo get the votes of the participants for membership in FIFA.

After delaying delegates, the deputy chairman of Serbia's Football Federation, who opposed Kosovo membership, but after completing his address, FIFA President Gianni Ifantino stressed that Congress is the supreme body deciding on the Kosovo issue and demanded that it be passed to the electronic vote, where Kosovo received 141 votes.

In his speech before Congress following Vokri's accession, he thanked FIFA president, vice-presidents and all members of the FIFA Council.

This is a very important date for us, since today we are part of FIFA. Everyone in Kosovo enjoys this FIFA Congress decision. We have been waiting a long time for this decision and are very happy. I promise you that we will defend football values”, had declared Vokrri, who symbolically received FIFA's emblems as a gift from President Infantino.