FIFA Ranking #30 · 3 World Cups · Best: Third place
Turkey's Euro 2024 quarter-final run reinvigorated a nation and introduced Arda Güler to the world. The Crescent Stars arrive at 2026 with Çalhanoğlu's Inter-winning experience in midfield, Güler's emerging genius, and a team that plays with intensity and belief under Montella — Group L is very winnable.
Group D opponents
Hakan Çalhanoğlu
⭐ Star PlayerInter Milan
Defensive / Central Midfielder
90
Caps
22
Goals
32
Age
Inter Milan's technically brilliant midfielder who controls tempo, takes set-pieces, and scores from long range — the spine of Turkey's game.
Arda Güler
Real Madrid
Attacking Midfielder / Winger
28
Caps
9
Goals
20
Age
Real Madrid's Turkish wonderkid — technically gifted, ice-cool under pressure, and announced himself to the world at Euro 2024 with a stunning free-kick against Georgia.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu
Galatasaray
Winger
48
Caps
14
Goals
26
Age
Galatasaray's electric winger who torments defenders with direct running and can produce moments of brilliance from wide areas.
Merih Demiral
Al-Qadsiah
Centre-Back
52
Caps
8
Goals
27
Age
Turkey's imposing centre-back who scored twice against Austria at Euro 2024 and is a constant aerial threat at set-pieces.
All times local to venue. Group stage results determine knockout seedings.
Australia
FIFA #23
BC Place
Vancouver, Canada
Paraguay
FIFA #50
Levi's Stadium
San Francisco, CA
USA
FIFA #13
SoFi Stadium
Los Angeles, CA
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3
Appearances
0
Titles
#30
FIFA Rank
Third place
Best Result
Turkey's greatest tournament was the 2002 World Cup in Japan/South Korea, where Hakan Şükür scored the fastest goal in World Cup history (11 seconds) and they finished third. Euro 2024 was a reminder of their potential — defeating Austria in the Round of 16 before losing to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
Formation
Double pivot for solidity, one No.10 behind the striker
Head Coach
Vincenzo Montella
Italian · 4-2-3-1
Vincenzo Montella leads Turkey into the 2026 World Cup with a 4-2-3-1 system built around the squad's strengths.
The three teams Turkey must face in the group stage.
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