The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) was admitted as the 55th member association of UEFA with immediate effect after a vote at the 40th Ordinary UEFA Congress in Budapest.

A simple majority was needed for the FFK to become member and it received 28 votes in favour, with 24 votes against and two invalid votes cast.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and sought international recognition through sports. UEFA’s decision to admit as a member association is a huge succes for Kosovo as a football nation.

The FFK is yet to get a recognition from football’s world-governing body FIFA. But a decision on Kosovo’s application for a FIFA affiliation could be taken at the FIFA Congress in Mexico City on May 12 and 13.