Kosovo win 2-0 in Slovenia to secure World Cup playoff spot

FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group B - Slovenia v Kosovo - Stadion Stozice, Ljubljana, Slovenia - Nov 15, 2025 Kosovo's Vedat Muriqi celebrates their second goal, an own goal scored by Slovenia's Zan Karnicnik REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic

Kosovo kept their dreams of a World Cup debut alive on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Slovenia that guaranteed them at least a playoff spot to qualify for next year's tournament in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Fisnik Asllani opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute when he latched on to a through ball from Mergim Vojvoda and fired past Slovenian keeper Jan Oblak. Kosovo doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Slovenia's Zan Karnicnik turned a cross past his own keeper.

Slovenia's job was made tougher when second-half substitute Petar Stojanovic was sent off for picking up two yellow cards within 10 minutes of the restart.

Kosovo stand in second place in Group B on 10, three points behind Switzerland who crushed Sweden 4-1. The Balkan nation host the group leaders on Tuesday but lag far behind on goal difference.