Turkiye and Sweden qualify for World Cup 2026 as Kosovo and Poland exit
Turkiye and Sweden secured their places at the 2026 World Cup after dramatic playoff victories, while Kosovo and Poland saw their qualification hopes come to an end.
Turkiye ended a 24-year wait to return to football’s biggest stage by defeating Kosovo 1-0 in their playoff final. The result marked their first qualification since 2002 and brought relief after years of falling short in previous campaigns.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when Kerem Akturkoglu scored in the 53rd minute. His goal proved enough to separate the two sides in what was described as a tense contest in Pristina.
Turkiye, ranked 25th in the world, had entered the match under pressure to deliver. Under coach Vincenzo Montella, the team combined emerging players with experienced internationals as they sought to end their long absence from the tournament.
For Kosovo, ranked 79th, the defeat brought disappointment after a strong run to the playoff final. Playing in front of a sold-out crowd, they had been aiming to qualify for their first-ever World Cup, less than a decade after joining FIFA and UEFA.
Despite the loss, their journey to the brink of qualification marked a significant achievement, reflecting their progress on the international stage.
In the other playoff final, Sweden secured their place at the World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Poland in a match that remained uncertain until the final moments.
Sweden took the lead through Anthony Elanga, but Poland responded when Nicola Zalewski equalised. The hosts regained the advantage before half-time, with Gustaf Lagerbielke scoring in the 44th minute.
Poland drew level again shortly after the break when Karol Swiderski found the net, setting up a tense finish.
The decisive moment arrived late in the game. Viktor Gyokeres scored just two minutes from time, capitalising on a goalmouth scramble to secure victory for Sweden.
The result confirmed Sweden’s qualification and placed them in Group F for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. It will be their first appearance at the tournament since 2018.
For Poland, the defeat marked the end of their campaign despite their efforts to stay in contention throughout the match.
Across both playoff ties, the outcomes reflected narrow margins between success and elimination. Turkiye and Sweden took their opportunities to secure qualification, while Kosovo and Poland were left to reflect on missed chances.
The matches also highlighted contrasting experiences for the teams involved. Turkiye celebrated a return to the World Cup after more than two decades, while Sweden confirmed their presence at the tournament once again.
Meanwhile, Kosovo’s progress to the playoff final demonstrated their development as a footballing nation, even though they fell short of qualification. Poland, too, came close but was unable to find the decisive edge in the closing stages of their match.
As the qualification process continues, Turkiye and Sweden now look ahead to the World Cup, while Kosovo and Poland’s campaigns come to an end.