EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTrkiye beat Kosovo in Tuesday's European playoff final to secure a berth at the 2026 World Cup and a place alongside co-hosts the United States in Group D.Kerem Aktrkoglu scored from close range early in the second half in the Kosovan capital Prishtina to send Trkiye to its first World Cup since 2002 and deny the home side a place at a first ever major tournament.The prize is a spot in a group with the U.S., Australia and Paraguay this summer. Trkiye will open against Australia in Vancouver before facing Paraguay in Santa Clara, California, and finally the U.S. at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California.Trkiye's last trip to the World Cup ended with a surprise run to the semifinals and an eventual third-place finish.The U.S. and Trkiye have met five teams previously, with each team winning twice. However, Trkiye came out on top when the sides last faced off in a friendly in East Hartford, Connecticut, last June.
