Turkey beat Kosovo 1-0, and Sweden beat Poland 3-2 as the winners secured the latest FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying spot.
Published on 31 March 2026
Turkey ended a 24-year wait to qualify for the World Cup by beating Kosovo 1–0 in the playoff final, returning to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002.
Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd minute to settle a tense contest in Pristina on Tuesday, where the hosts were hoping to reach their first World Cup.
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The Turks, ranked 25th in the world, had missed qualifying campaigns in the past two decades and were under pressure with coach Vincenzo Montella overseeing a team featuring a mix of emerging talent and experienced international players.
For Kosovo, who are ranked 79th and playing in front of a sell-out crowd, the defeat ended a remarkable performance that had taken them to the brink of a historic debut at a major tournament less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA.
Gyöckeres puts Sweden ahead of Poland
Sweden beat Poland 3-2 to book their ticket to the World Cup as Viktor Gyöckeres scored two minutes from time to decide a frantic qualification playoff final.
Anthony Elanga’s opener for Sweden was canceled out by Nikola Zalewski’s equaliser, but Gustaf Lagerbilke’s 44th-minute strike restored the hosts’ advantage and ensured they could advance heading into the break.
Karol Swiderski equalized for the visitors again shortly after the interval, yet Gyöckeres took advantage of a late goalmouth — side-footing the winner.
The result earned Sweden a place in Group F for the 2026 World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia, their first appearance at the tournament since 2018.
