Turkey secures World Cup ticket after a 24-year wait

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TURKEY — The Turkish National Football Team has qualified for the World Cup finals after a 24-year hiatus by defeating Kosovo 1-0 in the European Qualifiers Play-Off final.

Securing their spot in the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the team achieved this historic milestone under the guidance of Italian manager Vincenzo Montella, bringing an end to a decades-long longing for football fans across the country.

According to EuroNews, in a critical match watched by over 13,000 fans at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, star player Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored the winning goal in the 53rd minute. The Crescent-Stars emerged victorious from this challenging single-match elimination away game to book their ticket to the global stage.

Play-Off journey and Montella's success

Competing in Group E of the World Cup European Qualifiers, Turkey finished second behind Spain to earn a play-off spot. In the first round of the play-offs, the national team eliminated Romania at home with a single goal from Ferdi Kadıoğlu before facing Kosovo. Kosovo, on the other hand, had carried their hopes to the final match by defeating Slovakia 4-3 in a high-scoring away game.

The national team, which gained significant momentum under the management of Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella, has cemented another historic achievement with this hard-fought result.

A 24-year longing comes to an end

Turkey last participated in the World Cup, the most prestigious organization in world football, in 2002 when it was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. Delivering a historic performance in that tournament, the Crescent-Stars made the country proud by finishing third in the world. After a long and challenging 24-year wait, Turkey is finally preparing to return to the biggest stage with Montella's squad.

In the giant organization, which will be held between June 11 and July 19, 2026, Turkey will compete in Group D alongside host nation the United States, South American representative Paraguay, and Australia.

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