Bergamo, Italy – Sep 12, 2026: Cagliari’s Elia Caprile watches Atalanta vs Cagliari at Stadio Atleti Azzurri. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cagliari’s keeper Elia Caprile has secured Albanian citizenship, paving the way for a possible national team change.
TuttoMercatoWeb reports the 25‑year‑old now holds dual nationality after President Bajram Begaj signed the decree on Oct 19, later published in Albania’s official gazette.
Born in Verona to Italian parents, Caprile has no Albanian roots; his citizenship stems from marrying Emily Toshkollari, whose family is Albanian.
He has featured for Italy’s U‑18 and U‑21 sides and received a senior call‑up from Gennaro Gattuso in Nov 2025, yet he never earned a cap, leaving his allegiance open.
Can Caprile suit up for Albania?
A passport alone isn’t enough; FIFA demands a genuine link—birth, ancestry or long residence. Marriage by itself fails the eligibility test.
Italian media claim Albania’s FA is already weighing a call‑up, but any switch still requires FIFA clearance, which has barred similar cases before. For my money, Albania’s gamble could pay off.
Should approval come, the scenario gets quirky: Albania’s current No.1, Alen Sherri, already serves as Caprile’s backup at Cagliari.
Albania is led by Rolando Maran, a Serie A veteran who previously managed Chievo, Cagliari and Genoa. If approved, he could become Albania’s first Serie A starter in years.