Turkey celebrated their return to the World Cup on Wednesday after ending a 24-year wait, with players and fans voicing pride and cautious ambition following their playoff victory over Kosovo, Reuters reported. 

Fans took to the streets across the country late on Tuesday, waving flags from cars and gathering on main avenues as Turkey secured qualification for only the third time in their history, reviving memories of their run to the semi-finals in 2002.

Captain Hakan Calhanoglu, speaking after arriving in Istanbul with his team after their 1-0 win in Kosovo, said the immediate focus would be on progressing from the group stage.