This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. The Kosovo national team, with less than a decade of existence, is just one game away from securing a historic presence in the World Cup. To achieve this, they need to defeat Turkey on Tuesday in Pristina, in a match scheduled for 19:45. The nation, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008 and is still not recognized by all countries, is living a dream that unites the approximately 2.5 million Kosovars spread across the world. The possibility of reaching the World Cup was, just a few months ago, considered unimaginable. Kosovo journalist Lorik Jashanica, in statements to Marca, confessed the general surprise with the team's journey. "If I said I expected to be in this situation, I would be lying. No one in Kosovo expected us to be here, especially after a very tough draw with Sweden, Slovenia, and Switzerland in the group," he admitted, attributing great credit to coach Franco Foda: "Somehow, by some miracle, we are just 90 minutes away from our biggest dream." Jashanica highlighted the remarkable performance of the national team, which achieved away victories against opponents like Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia. "Now we have nothing to lose; we want victory, and we want to fulfill our dream," he added. Football has a very deep meaning for such a young country that suffered from war less than 30 years ago. "We have always fought for freedom, and now we fight to show the world our values, our quality, and to write a success story. If we reach the World Cup, it will be as big a celebration as when we achieved independence," he stated, explaining that in Kosovo, "football and the national team are everything." The star of the team is Vedat Muriqi, a forward for Mallorca and the all-time top scorer for the Kosovo national team, with 32 goals. The striker, who has already scored 18 goals this season in La Liga, is seen as the main hope for the decisive match against Turkey. "Muriqi is undoubtedly our key player, our leader, now also our captain. He is a very strong player and knows Turkey, its players, and its mentality very well. Personally, I expect a lot from him in this game. I want him to lead the team and take us to the World Cup," he said. Muriqi's experience in Turkish football, where he played for Giresunspor, Genclerbirligi Ankara, Rizespor, and Fenerbahçe and scored over 70 goals, is considered a crucial advantage. Recently, in an interview with FIFA, the forward admitted the possibility of retiring if he could lead Kosovo to the World Cup. Regarding this possibility, Jashanica was clear: "If he manages to qualify us for the World Cup, he will fulfill the dream of millions of Kosovars. May he succeed, play in the World Cup, and retire as a hero. If he does, he will be forever etched in the memory and hearts of all Kosovars."
From the Fight World Cup remains central to this story.
From the Fight World Cup remains central to this story.
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