World Cup 2018: Kosovo still awaiting Fifa clearance for six players

Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Valon Berisha has played 19 times for Norway and is reported to be one of the six

Kosovo must wait until the day of their first competitive match before finding out whether six of their squad have been cleared to play by Fifa.

The Balkan territory, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008,became a Fifa member in May - and some Kosovans, who have played for other nations, have asked to change teams.

Kosovo play in Finland on Monday in a World Cup 2018 qualification

match.

"We don't know if six players will be available," boss Albert Bunjaki said.

"The players look very motivated and preparations will continue through Sunday, with the last training at the stadium where we are going to play.

"The only disturbing fact is [not knowing] if the players will be allowed to play, which we are expecting to happen on Monday."

The six players are:

Amir Rrahmani - a 22-year-old centre-back with one cap for Albania.

Valon Berisha - a 23-year-old midfielder with 19 caps for Norway.

Alban Meha - a 30-year-old midfielder with seven caps for Albania.

Herolind Shala - a 24-year-old midfielder with five caps for Albania.

Milot Rashica - a 20-year-old midfielder with two caps for Albania.

Samir Ujkani - a 28-year-old goalkeeper with 20 caps for Albania.

Kosovo's complicated political status has seen several players born in the state play for different countries, including Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka (Switzerland), Shefki Kuqi (Finland) and Lorik Cana (Albania).

When Kosovo's Fifa membership was secured, football's governing body indicated it would deal with players wanting to switch nations on a case-by-case basis.

Arsenal midfielder Xhaka published an open letter on Tuesday in which he said he would continue to play for Switzerland.

In it, he claimed Fifa had said players who featured at Euro 2016 would not be allowed to switch nations. Xhaka played in all of Switzerland's matches - including their opening game against Albania, for whom his older brother Taulant plays.

Fifa has already allowed Alberto Bunjaku, who appeared for Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup, to play for Kosovo.

The Swiss football federation (SFV) has complained about "a lack of clarity in regulations".

"The SFV regrets the priority of the Kosovar directors has been in trying to recruit players for the next World Cup qualifiers instead of consolidating the foundations of their federation," a statement added.