general
Kosovo one match from first World Cup after 4-3 play-off semi win
Kosovo secured a 4-3 play-off semi-final win over Slovakia and will host Turkey in Pristina in a single tie that will decide their first ever place at the 2026 World Cup.
Mar 27th 2026 · Kosovo
Insights
- Kosovo beat Slovakia 4-3 in the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bratislava.
- Kosovo will host Turkey in Pristina in a single-match play-off with the winner qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
- Turkey are ranked 23rd in the world.
- Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and joined FIFA and UEFA in 2016.
- The Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina has a capacity of about 14,000 despite huge local interest.
- Kosovo reached the play-offs after upset wins over Sweden and Slovenia despite entering qualifying ranked 99th.
Sources
- Gyokeres hat-trick lifts Sweden as Kosovo keep dream alive www.bbc.com
- Viktor Gyökeres hits hat-trick as Sweden and Graham Potter see off Ukraine www.theguardian.com
- ‘Anything is possible’: Kosovo one game away from World Cup fairytale www.theguardian.com