Turkiye beats Kosovo in World Cup match after 24-year wait

Turkish Football Team Qualifies for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Turkish national football team has secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their first appearance at the tournament since 2002. The qualification was achieved through a tense playoff win against Kosovo, with a 1-0 victory in the final match.

Turkish fans celebrated wildly upon learning of the news, with many taking to the streets and displaying flags. The team’s players also expressed relief and joy, with Kerem Akturkoglu stating that it had been 24 years since their last appearance at the World Cup.

The Turkish team has only appeared in two FIFA World Cups prior to this qualification, with their previous appearances being in 1954 and 2002. In 2002, they reached the third-place playoff and won the bronze medal. Since then, the team has faced several near-misses and playoff losses.

Coach Vincenzo Montella expressed pride and gratitude towards his players, stating that he would not change them for a thing. The team’s squad featured a mix of young and experienced players, including Arda Guler from Real Madrid and Kenan Yildiz from Juventus.

The Turkish team will now face Australia, Paraguay, and the United States in Group D of the 2026 World Cup, which is also being hosted by Canada and Mexico. The team’s president, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, had previously stated that Montella would be granted Turkish citizenship if his side qualified for the tournament.

Montella also congratulated Kosovo on a fierce performance, stating that he wished they could have gone to the World Cup together. The coach is widely respected by his players, who mobbed him in celebration and drenched him in water during the post-match media conference.

Source: Al Jazeera