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Kosovo’s national football team has put Türkiye’s early backing at the center of its message ahead of a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final between the two sides.
In a post shared before the March 31 fixture in Pristina, Kosovo’s official football account pointed to a 2014 friendly match, framing it as a defining moment in the country’s football history.
"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," the post said.
The message refers to the first match between the two sides, played at a time when Kosovo was not yet a member of FIFA or UEFA and had limited opportunities to play international games, as it was not widely recognized following its declaration of independence from Serbia.
In 2014, after UEFA allowed the team to play friendlies, Kosovo hosted Türkiye.
The match ended in a 6-1 win for Türkiye, yet it remains significant in Kosovo’s narrative as one of the earliest games against an established national side. Kosovo also scored its first-ever goal in that match, with Albert Bunjaku finding the net in the first half.
The Kosovo Football Federation operated for years outside international football structures, unable to compete in official tournaments organized by FIFA and UEFA.
Kosovo’s international status shifted in 2016, when the Kosovo Football Federation was admitted to both UEFA and FIFA, opening the door to participation in World Cup and European Championship qualifiers.
Since then, Kosovo has steadily progressed in international competitions, finishing second in its 2026 World Cup qualifying group with 11 points to secure a place in the play-offs.
It went on to reach the play-off final after a 4–3 win over Slovakia, leaving the team one match away from qualifying for its first-ever World Cup.
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