Turkey qualifies for 2026 World Cup in style

ANKARA: (Web Desk) – Turkey secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against Kosovo in the European play-off final on Tuesday. The victory dashed Kosovo’s hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time.

Akturkoglu redirected a shot from Orkun Kokcu into the net in the 53rd minute in Pristina, securing Turkey’s first World Cup appearance since reaching the semi-finals in 2002. Celebrations erupted as players, including captain Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter Milan, Arda Guler of Real Madrid, and Kenan Yildiz of Juventus, waved giant Turkish flags in front of their traveling supporters.

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Under coach Vincenzo Montella, Turkey will be in Group D at the World Cup alongside co-hosts the United States, Paraguay, and Australia, opening their campaign against Australia in Vancouver on June 13.

Turkey, ranked 22nd globally, had a disciplined performance in a low-scoring match, with the decisive goal coming early in the second half. The team finished second in European qualifying Group E behind Spain, holding the Spanish side to a draw away before defeating Romania 1-0 in the play-off semi-final.

Kosovo, ranked 78th, had been aiming for a historic first World Cup appearance, having joined FIFA just a decade ago. The team previously finished second in Group B, with notable wins over Sweden and Slovakia in the semi-finals.

This will mark Turkey’s third ever World Cup appearance, following 1954 and their third-place finish in 2002 in South Korea and Japan.