Turkiye 1-0 Romania, World Cup Play-offs: Ferdi Kadioglu Strike Seals Tense Win For Turks

Turkiye edged Romania 1-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 European play-off semi-final at the Tupras Stadium in Istanbul on Thursday, with Ferdi Kadioglu scoring in the 53rd minute to seal the win for the hosts. Turkiye dominated possession and created plenty of chances, but Romania's defence held firm for a goalless first half. Soon after the restart, Arda Guler threaded a brilliant pass to Kadioglu, who finished past Ionut Radu to give the Crescent-Stars the lead. Romania's forwards ultimately failed to test Ugurcan Cakir at all and saw their World Cup qualification hopes come to an end. Turkiye will face Kosovo in the play-off final on April 1.

Updated on: 27 March 2026 3:08 pm

Published at: 27 March 2026 3:08 pm

Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-Turkey's players

Turkey's players celebrate at the end of the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP

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Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-

Romania's players applaud to supporters at the end of the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP

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Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-Nicolae Stanciu

Romania's Nicolae Stanciu look dejected at the end of the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP

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Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-Ștefan Baiaram

Romania's Ștefan Baiaram, right, vies for the ball with Turkey's Mert Muldur during the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP

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Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-Ugurcan Cakir

Turkey's goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, bottom, looks as the ball hits the pole of the goal during the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP

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Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-Radu Dragusin

Romania's Radu Dragusin, top left, vies for a high ball with Turkey's Baris Alper Yilmaz during the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP

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Romania's Nicolae Stanciu runs with the ball during the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul. | Photo: AP

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Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-Ferdi Kadioglu

Turkey's Ferdi Kadioglu, left, vies for the ball with Romania's Florin Tanase during the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo) | Photo: AP

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Türkiye vs Romania FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers playoff semi-final-Kenan Yildiz

Turkey's Kenan Yildiz, right, vies for the ball with Romania's Andrei Ratiu during the 2026 World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between Turkey and Romania, in Istanbul, Turkey. | Photo: AP