Croatian Officials Appointed for Albania and Belarus Nations League Match in Budapest

UEFA has announced the appointment of a Croatian officiating crew for the upcoming Nations League match between Albania and Belarus. The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Because the game is being held at a neutral venue, it will be played in Budapest, Hungary. The selection of the officiating team is a key detail for the final round of Group 1 in Nations League C.

The officiating crew is composed entirely of officials from Croatia. Igor Pajač has been named the head referee for the encounter. He is a 41-year-old referee from Zagreb with significant international experience, having officiated a Champions League match between Lens and Sporting CP during the current season. Assisting Igor Pajač on the pitch will be Bojan Zobenica and Ivan Mihalj. The fourth official for the match will be Patrik Pavlešić. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system will be managed by Mario Zebec and Fran Jović.

Match Significance and Group Standings

The match carries significant weight for the standings in Nations League C, Group 1. Albania currently holds a two-point lead over Belarus in the group standings. For the Albanian national team, the primary objective is to finish the group in first place to secure promotion to League B. A draw in this match would allow Albania to maintain its current first-place position in the group. The outcome of this fixture will determine the final ranking of the teams in this group stage.

Albania's striker, Ernest Muçi, has a previous connection to the head referee. According to reports, Ernest Muçi played in a match officiated by Igor Pajač during a Europa League qualifying match between Trabzonspor and Ferencvaros. This match marks a significant moment for the Albanian squad as they attempt to navigate the final stages of the group competition.

The Path to Promotion

The competition structure for Nations League C means that every point is vital for teams aiming for higher leagues. Albania is competing specifically to achieve promotion to League B. The team must navigate the final round of Group 1 to ensure they reach their goal. The match in Budapest serves as a decisive moment for both the Albanian and Belarusian sides as they conclude their group stage participation.

The appointment of an all-Croatian crew ensures a neutral officiating presence for the match held in Hungary. With the stakes involving group promotion, the performance of the officiating team, led by Igor Pajač, will be closely watched by fans and officials alike.

Glossary

• League B — League B is a league that teams aim to reach through promotion from Nations League C. It serves as a higher level in the competition structure.
• Nations League — The Nations League is a football competition. It includes different tiers such as League C.
• Video Assistant Referee (VAR) — The video assistant referee (VAR) is a match official in association football. This official assists the referee by reviewing decisions using video footage and providing advice based on those reviews.
• Champions League — The Champions League is a football competition. It is mentioned in the context of international officiating.
• Europa League — The Europa League is a European football competition. It features group stages and knockout stages.