If successful in its bid to become the 55th member of UEFA in March, Kosovo would then be eligible to become a full member of FIFA in May, when world football’s governing body holds its annual Congress in Mexico City.

Kosovo’s club sides would be able to compete in UEFA tournaments, while its national team could be awarded a place in the qualifying competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, despite the draw having already been held in Russia in July.

Kosovo could potentially be added to one of Europe's two five-team groups, either pitting them against Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia and Cyprus in Group H, or Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey and Finland in Group I.

Kosovo are currently only allowed to play friendly matches organised by FIFA, with certain restrictions applying such as a ban on the country facing clubs and teams from countries of former Yugoslavia.

The International Olympic Committee voted unanimously to accept Kosovo as a full member at its session in Monaco last December.

The nation has gone on to become a member of various International Federations and organisations with a close eye on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where Kosovan athletes will be able to compete under their national flag.

Although recognised by 108 out of the 193 United Nations members since declaring independence in 2008, Kosovo is not a UN member predominantly because of opposition from certain nations, including Russia, China and Serbia.



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