Turkey secured their first World Cup appearance in 24 years with a 1-0 play-off win over Kosovo on March 26, 2026, in Pristina. Kerem Akturkoglu scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, turning in a cut-back from Orkun Kokcu.
Turkey, who last qualified in 2002, will join Australia, Paraguay, and co-hosts the United States in Group C this summer. Despite Kosovo hitting the woodwork in the first half, Turkey held on, recording only one other shot on target outside their goal.
The victory ends a run of five failed campaigns, including a play-off semi-final loss to Portugal in 2022. Turkey, ranked 23rd globally, were heavy favourites over Kosovo, who had joined FIFA and UEFA in 2016 and were aiming for their first World Cup.
Stars Arda Guler and Hakan Calhanoglu helped Turkey maintain recent tournament pedigree, having reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Kosovo’s dreams of a debut World Cup ended after a strong qualifying run.