Turkey fans cheer for their national team during the 2016 FIBA Olympic men’s qualifying basketball tournament match between Turkey and Senegal in Manila on July 7, 2016. / AFP / TED ALJIBE (Photo credit should read TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images)

The path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been set for Türkiye, who will face Romania in a critical European playoff semifinal aiming to end a two-decade-long absence from football’s greatest stage.

Turkey are 4/7 favourites to beat Romania with Betway on what is the first hurdle in a demanding two-step knockout process that will determine who secures a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The draw, conducted by FIFA in Zurich on November 20, 2025, confirmed that the Crescent-Stars will host Romania in a tense single-elimination match on March 26. The winner of that contest will then face an equally daunting task, travelling away to meet either Slovakia or Kosovo on March 31 for the final playoff bracket spot.

For the Turkish National Team, this playoff represents a monumental opportunity to return to the World Cup for the first time since their shock third-place finish in the 2002 edition. Coach Vincenzo Montella, who led the team to a second-place finish behind Spain in their qualifying group, has voiced the need for ample preparation time in March to ensure his squad is mentally and physically ready for the sudden-death pressure.

The Playoff Context

The European playoffs are comprised of 16 nations: the 12 teams who finished runners-up in their qualification groups, plus four Nations League group winners who had not yet secured their passage. Only four total teams will advance from these playoff brackets to join the 42 nations already qualified for the final tournament.

Türkiye’s hosting advantage in the semifinal could prove crucial, particularly given the intense atmosphere generated by home fans. However, the stakes are undeniably high, with Montella’s men under immense pressure to deliver a victory and keep the dream alive for a football-mad nation desperate for global representation.

Romania’s Ambition and Historical Precedent

Opposing Türkiye is a Romanian side equally hungry for success. The Tricolorii are seeking their first World Cup qualification since 1998, a drought that weighs heavily on the team. Their history includes a memorable run to the quarterfinals in the 1994 World Cup, ironically the last time the tournament was held in the United States.

While the current squad may lack the star power of that ’94 generation, they present a tough, organized challenge capable of frustrating Montella’s tactical plans. Given the nature of a single-elimination tie, the match will be less about cumulative form and more about managing pressure and seizing opportunities.

The match-up evokes memories of previous intense meetings between the two nations, though this time, the consequences are terminal. The Romanian team will aim to disrupt the flow of the Turkish attack and leverage any transition chances, hoping to replicate the resilience that historically defines their best performances.

Potential Hazards on the Horizon

Should Türkiye successfully navigate the semifinal, the final tie against either Slovakia or Kosovo would present an entirely different set of challenges. Slovakia last appeared at the World Cup in 2010, and their experience in major tournaments makes them a seasoned opponent. Meanwhile, Kosovo is attempting to reach the finals for the first time since gaining FIFA membership, bringing an unpredictable intensity and emotional drive to the pitch.

Ultimately, the road to the World Cup is brutally direct: two wins are required to punch their ticket to North America. The European playoffs are notorious for drama and upsets, but for Türkiye, the focus must remain squarely on the immediate task at hand: defeating Romania on March 26 and taking the all-important first step toward achieving a long-awaited international return.