Türkiye will face Romania in the semifinals of the European playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, as they seek to end more than a two-decade-long wait to play on football's biggest stage.
That's according to a draw by FIFA made in Zurich on Thursday that also paired four-time World Cup winners Italy with Northern Ireland.
Türkiye will first host Romania in a single-elimination game on March 26, with the winner having to travel to face Slovakia or Kosovo on March 31.
The playoffs include 16 European teams, the 12 who finished second in their qualifying groups, plus the four best Nations League group winners who had not already qualified.
The four teams that win the playoff finals will advance to the first 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next June and July.
Türkiye finished second to Spain in their qualification group, and Vincenzo Montella hopes clubs will give him more time to prepare in March.
The Crescent-Stars are aiming to r
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