Tanevski names extended North Macedonia U21 roster for Montenegro and Sweden

Aleksandar Tanevski announced an extended roster for North Macedonia's under-21 side ahead of the final two matches of their Euro 2027 qualifying group. The team will face Montenegro on 1 October in Bitola and Sweden on 5 October in Falkenberg.

Before those qualifiers the U21 squad will play a friendly against Russia's under-20 team on 28 September at the Petar Milosevski training centre in Skopje. From the wider list Tanevski will name the players who will travel and be available for the two decisive qualifiers.

Squad and sporting goals

The coach said the selection responds to both present needs and the long-term plan to build the next generation of national-team players. He also signalled that younger prospects are likely to be given more playing time as part of that process.

“Given that we have the final two matches of the current qualifying cycle coming up, we want to give space to younger players who should be part of the next U21 generation. Every national-team match must be played with maximum responsibility, discipline and desire for a result. That does not change regardless of the circumstances and the phase we are in.

At the same time, it is our obligation to simultaneously build a team for the future. These matches are a good opportunity to see which players we can count on in the next qualifying cycle and to give them the chance to gain international experience. We want to create healthy competition and gradually prepare the next generation for the challenges ahead,” Tanevski said.

The extended squad includes the following players:

Goalkeepers:

• Dzekov Ljupche (Sileks)
• Vrgov Slave (Brera)
• Dimovski Nathaniel (Pelister)
• Filevski Nikola (Bregalnica)

Defenders:

• Radevski Zlatko (Teteks)
• Tancev Gjorgje (FC Brera)
• Velkov Andrej (Bregalnica)
• Cvetkovski Filip (Vardar)
• Redzep Murati (Malisheva, Kosovo)
• Atanasovski Luka (Teteks)
• Murati Adis (Bashkimi)
• Serafimov Davor (Skopje)
• Mitrev Mario (Brera)

Midfielders:

• Tasovski Vasil (Mladost Lucani, Serbia)
• Shabotic Emir (Detonit)
• Arizankovski Andrej (Shkendija)
• Nikolovski Teodor (Tikvesh)
• Angelov Matej (Bregalnica)
• Maslarov Ilija (Lugano, Switzerland)
• Tasev Darijan (Bregalnica)
• Trpevski Luka (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia)

Forwards:

• Velichkovski Nikola (Skenderbeu, Albania)
• Ristovski Stefan (Bashkimi)
• Manojlov Nikola (Sileks)
• Danev Dimitar (Vardar)
• Arifi Salim (Mitrovica, Kosovo)
• Nikolovski Marko (Ohrid)
• Ljatifi Admir (Osijek, Croatia)
• Mehmed Ariton (Shkendija Aracinovo)
• Hodzha Ditmir (Leeds, England)
• Kurtishi Muhamed (Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland)
• Dzhangarovski Martin (Radnik Surdulica, Serbia)
• Islamoviq Fadil (Kustosija)
• Shiriq Ivan (Brera)

With two rounds remaining in Group E, North Macedonia sit fifth with 6 points after eight matches. Poland top the group with 24 points, followed by Italy on 21, while Montenegro and Sweden have 10 points each; Armenia are bottom with zero.

Photo: press material from the event