Turkey qualify for World Cup with playoff win over Kosovo

Turkey qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday after Kerem Akturkoglu's goal secured a 1-0 win away to Kosovo in their European playoff final, shattering their hosts' dream of appearing at the tournament for the first time.

Akturkoglu diverted Orkun Kokcu's shot into the net in the 53rd minute in Pristina for the only goal of the game, ensuring Turkey will go to their first World Cup since reaching the semifinals in 2002.

Their players, including captain Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter Milan, Real Madrid's Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz of Juventus, waved giant Turkish flags as they went across to celebrate at fulltime in front of the travelling support.

After 24 years away, Türkiye are back on the world stage. 🇹🇷@aramco | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/wezSy8AwcZ — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 31, 2026

Vincenzo Montella's team will go into Group D at the World Cup, along with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and Australia.

They will begin their campaign against Australia in Vancouver on June 13.

Turkey shaded a close-fought game low on goalmouth action and secured victory early in the second half as a Yildiz cutback from the left was met by Kokcu before Fenerbahce striker Akturkoglu made sure.

Montella's side are ranked 22nd in the world and reached the quarterfinals at Euro 2024, but this will only be Turkey's third ever appearance at the World Cup – they went to the 1954 tournament before coming third 24 years ago in South Korea and Japan.

Türkiye return to the #FIFAWorldCup for the first time since 2002! 🏆🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/bwlLWxNLiF — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 31, 2026

They finished second in European qualifying Group E behind Spain, holding the Spanish to a draw away from home, before beating Romania 1-0 at home in their playoff semifinal last week.

Kosovo, ranked 78th, were targeting a first ever World Cup appearance, having only been accepted as FIFA members a decade ago.

They had finished second behind Switzerland in qualifying Group B, notably beating Sweden home and away, before coming from behind twice to defeat Slovakia 4-3 away in the semifinals.