Turkey Secures Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification After 24-Year Wait

Ankara. Turkey has secured its place in the FIFA World Cup 2026, ending a 24-year wait. With a hard-fought 1–0 victory in the decisive play-off match against Kosovo, Turkey has earned the opportunity to play in the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

Having finished third in the 2002 World Cup, Turkey had failed in the five subsequent qualifying campaigns. Now, in the World Cup to be held this year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Turkey will be in Group 'C', where they will compete against Australia, Paraguay, and hosts the United States.