A
What happened
Spain has officially qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a 2-2 draw against Turkiye in their last qualifying match. Dani Olmo opened the scoring early, but Turkiye responded with goals from Deniz Gul and Salih Ozcan. Mikel Oyarzabal equalized for Spain, marking his sixth goal in the qualifying campaign. Spain's unbeaten streak now stands at 31 matches, although they showed vulnerabilities, especially with several key players absent. Turkiye's performance was commendable, as they became the first team to score against Spain in this qualification round. The playoffs for the World Cup will feature runners-up from various groups, with matches scheduled for late March 2026.
★
Key insights
-
1
Spain's Qualification: Spain topped Group E to secure their World Cup spot.
-
2
Turkiye's Playoff Opportunity: Turkiye finished second and will compete in the playoffs.
-
3
Unbeaten Streak: Spain has not lost in 31 consecutive matches.
-
4
Key Players Missing: Spain played without several important players in this match.
Takeaways
Spain's draw against Turkiye highlights their strength and resilience as they head into the World Cup, while Turkiye's performance sets them up for a competitive playoff.