ISTANBUL
The 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers play-off final between the Turkish National Football Team and Kosovo will be played with a close friendship between the two countries and their national teams.
While both nations have been sending messages of friendship before the final of 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers play-off round, Kosovan Football's X social media account, which provides news about the national football team, made a post about the match by referring to the game Kosovo played against the Turkish National Football Team in 2014, before Kosovo was recognized by FIFA in 2016.
"Back in 2014, when no one would face us, Türkiye showed up. They played Kosovo away, before we were even recognized by FIFA a gesture of respect and love we will never ever forget. 12 years later … we’re on our way to a World Cup final," Kosovan Football said, sharing photos of the game.
The Turkish National Football Team will face Kosovo in an away game March 31 in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers play-off round.
The two countries have close diplomatic, cultural and economic ties. Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, where the match will be played, also has a "Kosovo-Türkiye Friendship Park."
In 2014, the Turkish National Football Team won the friendly 6-1 in an away game against Kosovo.
Kosovo's first-ever goal against Türkiye
The Kosovo National Football Team scored its first-ever goal against the Turkish National Football Team.
In its second-ever friendly match, Kosovo hosted the Turkish National Football Team and scored a goal at the national team level.
The home team found the net in the first half with Albert Bunjaku.
Kosovo's first-ever friendly match ended in a goalless draw against Haiti.
UEFA granted Kosovo permission to play friendly matches in January 2014.
FIFA and UEFA recognized Kosovo in 2016
On May 13, 2016, FIFA accepted the Kosovo Football Federation as a member by a majority vote.
At the FIFA Congress, the full membership of the Kosovo Football Federation in FIFA was put to a vote. In the congress, where FIFA Executive Committee member and UEFA Vice President Senes Erzik from Türkiye gave the opening speech before the vote, the Kosovo Football Federation was elected as a full member of FIFA by a 141 - 23 vote.
The Kosovo Football Federation, which became the 210th member of FIFA, was admitted to UEFA on May 3, 2016.