The Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit was formed in 1930 but despite joining FIFA in 1932 and being founder members of UEFA in 1954, Albania did not participate in international competition until the Euro 1964 qualification campaign.
Having failed to qualify for the World Cup in West Germany in 1974, Albania withdrew from international competition refusing to participate in the qualifiers for the 1976 European Championships, the 1978 World Cup and the 1980 European Championships.
The first meeting between Albania and Wales came during the 1996 European Championship qualifying campaign.
Welsh players to have made their debut against Albania:
- Gareth Taylor (1995)
- Robbie Savage (1995)
- John Robinson (1995)