Semifinals of the World Cup playoffs
Istanbul trembles: Türkiye keeps World Cup dream alive
Updated March 26, 2026 – 11:54 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
A competitive game quickly develops, it goes back and forth. Shortly after the break the decision was made.
Turkey continues to dream of the third World Cup finals appearance in its history. In the playoff semi-final against Romania, Italian coach Vincenzo Montella’s team narrowly won 1-0 (0-0).
Ferdi Kadioglu (53′) scored after outstanding preparatory work from Real Madrid’s young star Arda Güler at Besiktas Park to give the Turks victory, who last took part in a World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea in 2002 – and were only eliminated in the semi-finals against eventual world champions Brazil. Should the Turks qualify for the World Cup, they would face hosts USA, Paraguay and Australia in the uncomfortable but doable Group D. For the Romanians, led by the 80-year-old national coach Mircea Lucescu, their dream of taking part in the World Cup for the first time since 1998 was once again shattered.
Both teams were excited in an atmospheric setting; at the beginning it was a game without many goal area scenes. Güler (32nd) put the ball over the goal from a good finishing position. After the break, the 21-year-old gave Kadioglu the lead with a dream pass over 30 meters, and all the dams in the stands then burst. But Romania also had chances, because on the other side Ianis Hagi (55th) missed the quick equalizer. His teammate Nicolae Stanciu only hit the post (77th).
In the final on Tuesday, Kosovo awaits, who won 4:3 (1:2) later on Thursday evening after being twice behind in Slovakia. Florent Muslija, who was loaned to Fortuna Düsseldorf from SC Freiburg, scored the interim 3-2 for the guests (60th).
