Kosovo vs Turkey: prediction & betting odds 31 March 2026

Kosovo National Team Form

The most entertaining and high-scoring match in the semi-final of the European qualification for the 2026 World Cup took place in Slovakia, where the home national team lost 3:4 to Kosovo. The Balkan side broke the hosts’ resistance between the 47th and 72nd minutes, scoring three unanswered goals in that spell. Interestingly, Kosovo produced an xG of just 1.10 – only enough for one goal. It was the team’s sixth straight unbeaten match in qualifying – four wins and two draws – and on four occasions they managed to keep a clean sheet. The Balkan team are just one step away from making their debut at the biggest football tournament.

• At least one of the teams failed to score in six of Kosovo’s previous eight matches in World Cup qualifying.
• Kosovo have not conceded more than one goal in five of their last six World Cup qualifying matches.
• On home soil, the Balkan team have just one win in their previous 12 World Cup qualifying matches (three draws and eight defeats).

Potential Kosovo Lineup (5-3-2)*

Arijanet Muric – Mergim Vojvoda, Lumbardh Dellova, Dion Gallapeni, Kreshnik Hajrizi, Albian Hajdari – Veldin Hodza, Elvis Rexhbecaj, Florent Muslija – Fisnik Asllani, Vedat Muriqi.

Due to injuries, defenders Amir Rrahmani and Leart Paqarada are unavailable, as well as midfielders Muharrem Jashari and Leon Avdullahu.

Turkey National Team Form

Turkey’s semi-final was less entertaining and dramatic. The team booked their place in the final thanks to a single goal against Romania early in the second half (1:0). For Turkey, it was a fifth straight unbeaten match in World Cup qualifying (four wins and one draw). At the same time, it is worth noting Turkey’s total dominance over Romania, although they had problems with their finishing, and only two of their 16 shots were on target. If they get past Kosovo, the national team will play at the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

• At least three goals were scored in five of Turkey’s previous seven World Cup qualifying matches.
• The national team scored two or more goals in four of their last five matches in this tournament.
• Turkey avoided defeat in five of their previous six away matches in World Cup qualifying (four wins and one draw).

Potential Turkey Lineup (4-2-3-1)*

Ugurcan Cakir – Mert Mulder, Samet Akaydin, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Ferdi Kadioglu – Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismail Yuksek – Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz, Baris Yilmaz – Kerem Akturkoglu.

Who Will Referee the Match

Michael Oliver (England)

Matches – 10 (International matches, 2025-2026);

Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) – 44;

Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;

Red cards shown – 0;

Fouls per match on average – 23;

Penalties – 0%.

* For each team, the starting XI from its previous match in this tournament is listed.