Türkiye booked their place in the FIFA World Cup after a 24-year absence, defeating Kosovo 1-0 in the playoff final on Tuesday and returning to football’s biggest stage for the first time since their memorable 2002 semi-final run.
Forward Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, finishing from close range after Orkun Kökçü’s effort following an impressive run down the left flank by Kenan Yıldız.
“This is a dream come true after 24 years. Some of us were not even born the last time Türkiye qualified,” Aktürkoğlu said after the match. He added that the team now hopes to inspire the next generation at the 2026 World Cup.
Ranked 25th in the world, Türkiye had endured two decades of failed qualification campaigns before finally ending the long wait under coach Vincenzo Montella, who has built a squad combining young talent with experienced internationals.
Montella expressed pride in his players, calling World Cup qualification the fulfilment of a major dream for both the team and the nation.
Celebrations erupted across Türkiye as fans poured into the streets, waving flags and cheering the national team’s third-ever World Cup appearance.
For Kosovo, ranked 79th, the defeat ended an inspiring run that had brought them close to a historic first major tournament appearance less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA. Despite a strong late push and several chances, they were unable to find an equaliser past goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır.
Türkiye will now compete in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and co-hosts United States at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also be hosted by Canada and Mexico.