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Türkiye seal emotional World Cup return

The Crescent Stars have reached the tournament in Canada, Mexico and USA after Vincenzo Montella guided the team through the UEFA play-offs.

Türkiye have sealed their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ after Vincenzo Montella expertly guided the Crescent Stars through the European play-offs.

Thanks to their narrow 1-0 victory over Kosovo on Tuesday, which was sealed by an opportunistic effort from Kerem Akturkoglu, the Turks secured their third appearance overall in the global finals and their first since Korea/Japan 2002, when they incredibly finished third.

Türkiye finished second to Spain in UEFA qualifying, a result that was all but assured when they lost 6-0 at home to the Iberians in matchday two. But Montella successfully guided his team through the European play-offs with narrow victories over Romania and Kosovo.

With the likes of young guns Kenan Yildiz and Arda Guler as well as the experienced Hakan Calhanoglu in the team, they will now fancy their chances of going far in North America. Their raucous fans are also poised to light up the World Cup, which begins with a showpiece fixture with co-hosts USA as well as Australia and Paraguay in Group D.

Türkiye at the FIFA World Cup

The Turkey players celebrate with their bronze medals after beating Korea Republic 3-2 in the third-place play-off at Korea/Japan 2002 Bildnummer: 05604641 Datum: 29.06.2002 Copyright: imago/AFLOSPORT..Ümit Özat (L), Tugay Kerimoglu (3L), Hakan Sükür (C), Alpay Özalan (3R), Goalkeeper Rüstü Recber (2r) and other Turkish Players on the podium - JUNE 29, 2002 - Football : FIFA World Cup 2002 KOREA/JAPAN 3rd/4th Place Play-Off match between Korea and Turkey at the Daegu World Cup Stadium, Daegu, South Korea on June 29, 2002. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxPOLxRUSxSWExFRAxNEDxESPxONLY (2002063002173238); Herren Fussball Nationalteam Länderspiel WM Aufmacher vdig xsk 2002 quer o00 Siegerehrung o0 Südkorea Spiel um Platz Drei....Image number 05604641 date 29 06 2002 Copyright imago AFLOSPORT Ümit Özat l Tugay Kerimoglu 3l Hakan Sükür C Alpay Özalan Goalkeeper Rüstü Recber 2R and OTHER Turkish Players ON The Podium June 29 2002 Football FIFA World Cup 2002 Korea Japan 3rd 4th Place Play Off Match between Korea and Turkey AT The Daegu World Cup Stage Daegu South Korea ON June 29 2002 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxPOLxRUSxSWExFRAxNEDxESPxONLY men Football National team international match World Cup Highlight Vdig xsk 2002 horizontal o00 Award Ceremony o0 South Korea Game to square Three

First appearance: 1954
Appearances: 3 (1954, 2002, 2026)
Best result: Third (2002)