New Delhi, April 1 – Turkey ended their 24-year absence from the FIFA World Cup with a narrow victory over spirited Kosovo, sealed by a opportunistic goal from Kerem Akturkoglu.
They will now join Group D at the global finals alongside Australia, Paraguay, and co-hosts USA.
Playing in front of heavy rain at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Turkey quickly asserted their dominance, with Kenan Yildiz repeatedly probing the Kosovo defence early on. The game opened up in the 27th minute when a dipping, swerving shot from Turkey midfielder Orkun Kökçü went just over the bar, according to FIFA reports.
Moments later, Kosovo almost scored when a powerful shot from Fisnik Asllani was expertly tipped onto the crossbar by Ugurcan Çakir.
Turkey took the lead early in the second half when Yildiz passed the ball to Kökçü, whose scuffed shot was turned into the net by Akturkoglu's studs.
Florent Muslija struck just wide with ten minutes remaining as the visitors held on for victory, securing an emotional return to the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when they finished third.
Meanwhile, Sweden edged out Poland to qualify, also claiming revenge on the Poles for their 2022 Qatar play-off final defeat.
The Swedes took the lead when a flowing move found Yasin Ayari, whose clever flick set up Elanga to thunder a shot off the crossbar. Poland fought back, though, and got a deserved equaliser after Zalewski's low shot squeezed past Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
The contest looked set to end in a draw, until Lagerbielke headed Sweden back ahead from a wicked Benjamin Nygren cross.
Poland pressed after the interval and once again drew level when Matty Cash's cross was flicked on by Jakub Kaminski to Zalewski, who squared for Swiderski to tap in. Extra time beckoned until chaos in the Poland box saw Lucas Bergvall's shot parried to Besfort Zeneli, and while his shot struck the post, Gyokeres was there to smash home the winner.
Graham Potter's side will join Group F at the finals, alongside Tunisia, Netherlands, and Japan.
Czechia are returning to the World Cup after a 20-year absence as Michal Sadilek settled a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Denmark. Sadilek held his composure to convert beyond Mads Hermansen and spark scenes of delirium in Prague, with Christian Eriksen the only Danish player able to score from the spot.
Rasmus Hojlund smashed the first kick against the bar, Matej Kovar saved from Anders Dreyer, and Mathias Jensen launched his effort high over the bar and into the fans behind the goal.
The preceding 120 minutes had been no less dramatic, with Czechia twice taking the lead and Denmark twice battling back to level and taking an end-to-end match to penalties.
They now take their place in World Cup Group A, where they will face Korea Republic in Guadalajara, South Africa in Atlanta, and co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City.