Serbian national coach Dragan Stojkovic resigns after defeat to Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifying

Dragan Stojkovic has resigned as Serbia coach following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Albania in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

The Serbian Football Association said in a statement on Sunday that he offered his resignation after the loss in Leskovac. Serbian Under-21 coach Zoran Mirkovic will take interim charge for Tuesday’s Group K match away to Andorra, ahead of a meeting on Friday to discuss further changes to the national team’s line-up.

The Serbian FA thanked Stojkovic “for everything he has done over the past four and a half years at the helm of the national team, especially in qualifying for the World Cup and the European Championship.”

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The 60-year-old Stojkovic was a technically gifted midfielder with an eye for goal. He starred for Red Star Belgrade and won the Champions League with Marseille in 1993 before joining Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan.

Albania’s win lifted it past Serbia into second place and four points behind England in Group K. Striker Rey Manaj scored on the stroke of half-time and made a nationalist symbol with his hands as he celebrated.

Published on October 12, 2025