7M - Turkey edge Romania 1-0 to move one step closer to World Cup 2026

Turkey advanced one step closer to the 2026 World Cup after beating Romania 1-0 in the C path semifinal of the 2026 World Cup European zone qualifiers at Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul on Thursday, local time, according to UEFA. The only goal came in the 53rd minute from Ferdi Kadioglu.

In the C path final, Turkey will face Slovakia or Kosovo on Tuesday 31 March, local time. Turkey must win the final to end a 24 year wait to return to the World Cup finals.

Turkey started on the front foot but did not trouble the Romania goal early, with Romania first threatening through a shot by Vlad Dragomir that struck the crossbar.

After the break, Turkey took the lead when Arda Guler played a precise pass that Ferdi Kadioglu converted, making it 1-0 in the 53rd minute. Turkey then had further chances, including a Kenan Yildiz shot that hit the Romania post, while Ionut Radu saved when Arda Guler tried to score.

Romania pushed for an equaliser late, but the match ended 1-0 for Turkey.