Kosovo vs türkiye: Kosovo vs Turkey: Turkey Secures World Cup Spot with 1-0 Victory

By Rohan Mehta / 01.04.2026

In a pivotal match held at Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina, Kosovo, Turkey triumphed over Kosovo with a score of 1-0 in the World Cup qualifying playoff final on March 31, 2026. This victory secured Turkey’s place in the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

Kerem Aktürkoglu scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, turning Orkun Kökçü’s mishit shot into the bottom-left corner of the net. The match was closely contested, with both teams registering two shots on target each.

Turkey produced 1.21 expected goals (xG) from 12 shots, while Kosovo managed to generate 1.03 xG from 11 attempts. Despite the hosts’ efforts, including absorbing pressure and pushing for an equalizer, they were unable to find the back of the net.

This match marked a significant moment for Turkey, ending a 24-year absence from the World Cup finals. The last time Turkey participated in the tournament was in 2002, when they reached the semifinals.

In the aftermath of the match, Kenan Yildiz stood out for Turkey, completing the most dribbles (four) and registering the most touches in the box (10) of any player. Kosovo, on the other hand, was left to reflect on their near miss, as they were just one step away from qualifying for their first-ever World Cup.

Turkey will now prepare for the World Cup, where they will face the United States, Paraguay, and Australia in Group D. The team and its supporters are hopeful for a successful campaign in the tournament.

The defeat was a disappointment for Kosovo, who had high hopes of making history by qualifying for their first World Cup. The hosts gave everything in hopes of taking the match to extra time but ultimately fell short.

As the dust settles on this crucial match, both teams will look ahead to their future endeavors, with Turkey celebrating a long-awaited return to the World Cup stage.