Turkiye ended a 24-year World Cup drought with Kerem Akturkoglu’s 53rd-minute winner in a tense 1-0 playoff victory over Kosovo in Pristina, booking a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2002, while Sweden sealed a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Poland thanks to Viktor Gyokeres’s late strike to qualify for 2026.
Turkiye ends 24-year wait with narrow win in Pristina
Turkiye delivered when it mattered, grinding out a 1-0 victory over Kosovo in a playoff final that carried huge weight for both nations. Kerem Akturkoglu’s 53rd-minute finish proved decisive in a tightly contested match in Pristina, sending Turkiye back to the World Cup for the first time since 2002.
Key moments
The match hinged on a quick transition that opened Kosovo up in the second half and allowed Akturkoglu to latch onto a chance and finish clinically. Kosovo had momentum from a raucous home crowd but struggled to convert pressure into clear-cut opportunities against a compact Turkiye side coached by Vincenzo Montella.
Why this matters for Turkiye
Qualification ends a 24-year drought and vindicates Montella’s blend of youth and experience. Turkiye now re-enters the global stage with momentum and a squad that can mix creative attackers with defensive grit. The relief will be palpable across the federation and fanbase; the real challenge begins in 2026, where squad depth and tactical flexibility will determine whether this return is memorable or merely symbolic.
What it means for Kosovo
Kosovo’s run to the playoff final is a reminder of how rapidly the nation has risen since joining FIFA and UEFA. Falling short in Pristina is painful, but their progress — reaching the brink of a first World Cup less than a decade after admission — underscores a strong foundation and an emerging talent pipeline that should worry established teams moving forward.
Sweden stage late thriller to deny Poland
Sweden edged Poland 3-2 after Viktor Gyokeres struck two minutes from time, completing a late comeback and securing a World Cup berth. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring before Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski each found the net for Poland; Gustaf Lagerbielke’s first-half strike and Gyokeres’s late finish ultimately sealed Sweden’s place.
Match dynamics and decisive moments
The game swung quickly, with end-to-end phases that exposed defensive frailties on both sides. Lagerbielke’s header before halftime gave Sweden a cushion, but Poland’s resilience kept them level in the second half. Gyokeres’s winner emerged from persistent pressure in the box — a striker instinctively capitalizing on chaos.
Implications for Sweden
This qualification cements Sweden’s recovery and provides head coach continuity at a time when forward options are emerging in form. Gyokeres’s late heroics are a timely boost; Sweden will head into Group F aware they need sharper defensive discipline but armed with a forward who can change tight games in an instant.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup
Turkiye enters 2026 with renewed expectations and a chance to re-establish itself among strong European contenders. Sweden joins the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F, where tactical adaptability will be crucial. Both qualifiers highlight two themes for the upcoming tournament: the rise of compact, disciplined teams that can win tight matches, and the continued importance of decisive moments from individual match-winners.
Final takeaways
Turkiye’s qualification is a milestone that restores national pride and raises genuine questions about how far this squad can go. Kosovo’s near-miss is not failure but a clear signal of sustained progress.
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Sweden’s late triumph underlines the value of attacking instincts in crucial moments and positions them as a dangerous, if at times brittle, opponent in 2026.
Al Jazeera
