Key points
- Türkiye ends 24-year World Cup absence with narrow victory over Kosovo.
- Sweden defeats Poland in five-goal thriller to qualify for 2026 tournament.
- Kosovo and Poland fall short in decisive playoff matches.
Main story
Türkiye and Sweden have secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 following hard-fought playoff victories over Kosovo and Poland respectively.
Türkiye booked their place at the global tournament with a 1-0 win over Kosovo in Pristina, marking their first World Cup appearance since 2002 and ending a 24-year wait.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu scored the decisive goal in the 53rd minute, securing victory in a tense encounter played before a passionate home crowd.
Ranked 25th in the world, Türkiye’s qualification represents a significant turnaround after years of disappointment in previous qualifying campaigns, under the guidance of coach Vincenzo Montella.
Kosovo, ranked 79th, saw their impressive qualifying run come to an end, narrowly missing out on what would have been their first appearance at a major international tournament.
In another playoff clash, Sweden edged Poland 3-2 in a dramatic encounter to seal their place at the tournament.
Anthony Elanga opened the scoring for Sweden, before Nicola Zalewski equalised for Poland. Gustaf Lagerbielke restored Sweden’s lead before halftime, while Karol Świderski drew Poland level again in the second half.
However, Viktor Gyökeres struck a late winner to send Sweden through.
The issues
Both matches highlighted the growing competitiveness of World Cup qualifiers, with emerging football nations such as Kosovo pushing established teams to the limit.
For Poland, the defeat represents a major setback, while Kosovo’s exit underscores the narrow margins that often define qualification campaigns.
What’s next
Sweden will now compete in Group F of the 2026 World Cup alongside Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia, marking their return to the tournament for the first time since 2018.
Türkiye will await the final group stage draw as preparations begin for their long-awaited return to the global stage.
Bottom line
Türkiye and Sweden have earned their places at the 2026 World Cup through determined playoff performances, while Kosovo and Poland exit after narrowly missing out in closely contested matches.
