Hungarian government will carry out necessary works to complete Pristina’s national stadium, under reconstruction for many years.

Though Kosovo still isn’t recognized by many countries worldwide, the country’s national team is fighting for qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Sure, their hopes aren’t particularly high, but a 1:1 draw in Finland counts for something.

However, at home the situation isn’t too good, with funding insufficient at all fronts. There is no stadium meeting all UEFA and FIFA criteria at this point, while the national team is conditionally allowed to use two grounds: in Pristina and Mitrovica.

The Pristina municipal stadium has been under reconstruction since the dark days of the Kosovo war in late 1990s. The main stand’s roof remained without any covering sheets until as late as 2014 and despite gradual works in recent years the venue still lacks in infrastructure.

This should change after last week’s visit by high-ranking representatives of the Hungarian government. Hungarians have reportedly pledged to carry out all necessary works at the stadium at no fee within the next 12 months. There’s also an agreement about Kosovo’s youth players training at Hungary’s national football academy in Felcsut, just outside of Budapest.