Turkiye end 24-year World Cup drought with win over Kosovo

PRISTINA: Turkiye ended ‌a 24-year wait to qualify for the World Cup by beating Kosovo 1-0 in their playoff final on Tuesday, sealing ​a return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002 when they reached the semifinals.
Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd minute, turning the ball in from close range after Orkun Kokcu’s shot, following a driving run from Kenan Yildiz down the left.
Turkiye, ranked 25th ‌in the ‌world, had fallen short in ​qualifying ‌campaigns ⁠over the ​past ⁠two decades and arrived under pressure to deliver, with coach Vincenzo Montella overseeing a squad blending emerging talents and experienced internationals.
“Thank God. It has been 24 years. Some of us were not even born the last time we qualified, and some were too young ⁠to remember. We always dreamed of moments ‌like this,” Akturkoglu told ‌Turkish TV.
“We talked about 2002 and ​the success there, we ‌always dreamed of it. Most of us don’t ‌even remember 2002. Now we will give the next generation something to dream about at the 2026 World Cup. We want to make our country proud,” he added.
For Kosovo, ‌ranked 79th and playing in front of a sold-out crowd, the defeat brought an ⁠end ⁠to a remarkable run that had taken them to the brink of a historic debut at a major tournament, less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA.
The hosts pushed forward in the closing stages, taking risks in search of an equalizer and creating several chances, but were unable to beat Turkiye goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir as the visitors held on.
Turkiye will face Australia, Paraguay and co-hosts the United ​States in Group D ​of the World Cup. The tournament will also be hosted by Canada and Mexico.