Kosovo has been admitted as the 55th member association of UEFA following a vote at the European governing body's congress in Budapest.
Twenty-eight of UEFA's members -- the minimum necessary -- voted in favour of Kosovo and 24 against, with neighbouring Serbia, from which it declared independence in 2008, leading the opposition. Two votes were declared invalid.
The decision means Kosovo could now also join FIFA, with a vote due next week, and take part in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
"I welcome our 55th member," UEFA general secretary ad interim Theodore Theodoridis said in a statement.