Kosovo Qualify for First-Ever World Cup — Historic 4–1 Win Over Turkey in Pristina

Kosovo made football history on March 31, qualifying for their first-ever FIFA World Cup with a 4–1 victory over Turkey (Türkiye) at Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina. Kosovo — a nation that joined FIFA only in May 2016 — will compete in Group D alongside the United States, Paraguay, and Australia. The result ends Turkey's bid to end a 24-year World Cup absence. Kosovo's coach Franco Foda said before the match: 'We are in euphoria right now but we need to play the last game with calm. We have a stadium only for 13,000 spectators, but if it were possible, there would be 100,000.' The Kosovo government had promised players a €1 million bonus for qualifying. Kosovo's triumph followed their stunning 4–3 upset of Slovakia in the semi-final. The Group D draw means the USMNT will face Kosovo — the newest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup — in their group stage.