Italy Could Lose Caprile to Albania After Cagliari Goalkeeper Gains Citizenship

FolioPitch.com – 24 October 2026 | Italy could lose Caprile to Albania after Cagliari goalkeeper gains citizenship, with the 25-year-old now holding dual nationality following a decree signed by Albanian President Bajram Begaj on 19 October. The development has alerted the Albanian football federation, which is reportedly exploring the possibility of calling up the former Italy Under-21 international, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.

Caprile, who was born in Verona to Italian parents, has no Albanian heritage. His citizenship was granted through his marriage to Emily Toshkollari, whose family is Albanian. The decree was published in the country’s official gazette, formalising his new status. However, holding a passport does not automatically make him eligible to represent Albania at international level.

FIFA regulations require a player taking up a new nationality to demonstrate a genuine link to the country through birth, parents or grandparents, or long-term residence. Marriage alone does not satisfy those criteria. Reports in Italy suggest the Albanian federation is already investigating whether Caprile can meet FIFA’s requirements, but any switch would need the approval of world football’s governing body, which has blocked similar cases in the past.

For now, Caprile remains eligible for Italy. He has represented the Azzurri at Under-18 and Under-21 level and was called up to the senior squad by Gennaro Gattuso in November 2025. He has never won a senior cap, meaning he is not yet tied to Italy. That could change quickly if he were to feature in a competitive match for the senior team.

The prospect of losing a player of Caprile’s potential is a concern for Italian football. The goalkeeper has impressed at Cagliari, where he is currently the backup to Albania’s No 1, Alen Sherri. If Caprile were cleared to play for Albania, it would create an unusual twist: the two goalkeepers competing for the same club position would also be battling for the same international spot.

Albania are coached by Rolando Maran, who knows Serie A well from his spells at Chievo, Cagliari and Genoa. Maran’s knowledge of Italian football could give Albania an edge in persuading Caprile to commit to their cause. The coach has not publicly commented on the matter, but the federation’s interest is clear.

The situation is further complicated by FIFA’s strict eligibility rules. In recent years, the governing body has tightened its approach to nationality switches, requiring clear evidence of a genuine link. Cases based solely on marriage have been rejected, and Caprile’s lack of Albanian ancestry could be a significant obstacle.

Italy could lose Caprile to Albania after Cagliari goalkeeper gains citizenship, and the Italian federation may need to act to secure his future. The Azzurri have a rich history of goalkeeping talent, but depth is always valuable. Caprile’s performances at club level have marked him as a potential future international, and losing him to a rival nation would be a blow.

For Albania, the addition of a Serie A goalkeeper would be a coup. The national team has made strides in recent years, and Maran is building a competitive squad. Caprile’s dual citizenship is a unique opportunity, but it is far from certain that FIFA will grant eligibility.

The coming months will be crucial. Caprile’s club form, Italy’s selection decisions and Albania’s persistence will all play a part. For now, the goalkeeper’s international future remains uncertain, and Italy could lose Caprile to Albania after Cagliari goalkeeper gains citizenship if the relevant authorities approve the switch.

In conclusion, the case of Elia Caprile highlights the complexities of international eligibility in modern football. While his Albanian citizenship opens a potential door, FIFA’s regulations stand as a significant barrier. Italy will be hoping to retain a talented goalkeeper, while Albania will continue to explore every avenue. The outcome will depend on legal interpretation and the player’s own ambitions, leaving fans and officials alike waiting for clarity.