Kosovo Vs Türkiye, FIFA World Cup 2026: Bizim Cocuklar Seal First WC Spot In 24 Years

Turkey will be in the United States’ group at the World Cup after winning 1-0 at Kosovo to reach soccer’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002. The hosts were hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, fewer than 10 years since the national team was out of the international soccer family. It was in May 2016 that Kosovo and Gibraltar were voted into FIFA as its 210th and 211th member federations. That was eight years after Kosovo declared independence from Serbia.

Updated on: 1 April 2026 5:40 am

Published at: 1 April 2026 5:40 am

Turkey's players celebrate after winning the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Kosovo and Turkey in Pristina, Kosovo. AP/Visar Kryeziu

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Turkey's Ferdi Kadioglu and Kosovo's Veldin Hodza challenge for the ball during the World Cup qualifying playoff final. AP/Visar Kryeziu

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Turkey's supporters celebrate after winning the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Kosovo and Turkey in Pristina, Kosovo AP

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Turkey's Kerem Akturkoglu and Kosovo's Kreshnik Hajrizi challenge for the ball during the World Cup qualifying playoff final AP/Visar Kryeziu

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Turkey's players celebrate after winning the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Kosovo and Turkey in Pristina, Kosovo, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 AP/Visar Kryeziu