Turkey secures playoff victory to face USMNT in 2026 World Cup.

Türkiye triumphed over Kosovo in the European playoff final on Tuesday, earning a spot in the 2026 World Cup and joining co-hosts the United States in Group D.

Kerem Aktürkoglu found the net from close range shortly after the start of the second half in Prishtina, the capital of Kosovo, propelling Türkiye to its first World Cup appearance since 2002 and preventing the home team from qualifying for their inaugural major tournament.

The reward is a position in a group that includes the U.S., Australia, and Paraguay this summer. Türkiye will begin its campaign against Australia in Vancouver, followed by a match against Paraguay in Santa Clara, California, and concluding with a game against the U.S. at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Türkiye’s previous World Cup participation concluded with an unexpected journey to the semifinals, ultimately securing a third-place finish.