Back for the first time since the legendary 2002 run, Türkiye returns with young stars and huge ambition
TÜRKİYE 🇹🇷
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group D
The Big Picture
Türkiye is finally back at the FIFA World Cup. After a 24-year absence, the national team returns to the global stage under Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella.
The Crescent-Stars will make their third World Cup appearance, hoping to revive the magic of 2002, when Türkiye shocked the world and finished third.
Coach
Vincenzo Montella guided Türkiye back to the World Cup after a difficult qualifying campaign and a decisive UEFA play-off run.
The former Italian striker led the team with personality through narrow victories over Romania and Kosovo, giving Türkiye its first World Cup qualification since Korea/Japan 2002.
Group D Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Australia vs Türkiye | BC Place Vancouver |
| June 19 | Türkiye vs Paraguay | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| June 25 | Türkiye vs United States | Los Angeles Stadium |
Road to 2026
Türkiye finished second behind Spain in its UEFA qualifying group, a position that became difficult to avoid after a heavy home defeat against the Spanish side early in the campaign.
Montella’s team responded in the play-offs, beating Romania and Kosovo by narrow margins to secure a long-awaited return to the World Cup.
World Cup History
- Confederation: UEFA
- World Cup appearances: 3
- Best result: Third place (2002)
- Last appearance: Korea/Japan 2002 – Third place
- First appearance: Switzerland 1954
- Qualified but withdrew: Brazil 1950
The Golden Run
Türkiye’s greatest World Cup came in 2002 under Şenol Güneş.
After progressing from the group stage, the Crescent-Stars defeated Japan in the Round of 16 and Senegal in the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Brazil in the semi-final.
Türkiye then beat South Korea in the third-place match, sealing one of the most remarkable campaigns in the nation’s football history.
The First World Cup
Türkiye first qualified for the World Cup in 1950 but withdrew before the tournament.
The national team made its official World Cup debut at Switzerland 1954, where it exited in the first round.
Players to Watch
- Arda Güler – Creative midfielder and one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.
- Kenan Yıldız – Dynamic forward with elite technical ability and big-game personality.
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu – Captain, midfield leader, and set-piece specialist.
Greatest World Cup Moments
The third-place finish in 2002 remains the defining moment of Turkish football at the World Cup.
Hakan Şükür also made history in that tournament by scoring one of the fastest goals ever recorded in a World Cup match during the third-place play-off against South Korea.
The 2026 Challenge
Türkiye enters a competitive Group D with the United States, Australia, and Paraguay.
With rising stars, experienced leaders, and one of the loudest fanbases in world football, the Crescent-Stars have the tools to become a dangerous opponent in North America.
2026 Expectations
Türkiye is not returning just to celebrate qualification. With Montella, Güler, Yıldız, and a fearless new generation, the Crescent-Stars believe another special run is possible.
TÜRKİYE
Goalkeepers
- #1 Mert Günok (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
- #12 Altay Bayındır (Manchester United, England)
- #23 Uğurcan Çakır (Galatasaray, Turkey)
Defenders
- #2 Zeki Çelik (AS Roma, Italy)
- #3 Merih Demiral (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia)
- #4 Çağlar Söyüncü (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
- #13 Eren Elmalı (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- #14 Abdülkerim Bardakcı (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- #15 Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim, Germany)
- #18 Mert Müldür (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
- #20 Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)
- #25 Samet Akaydın (Çaykur Rizespor, Turkey)
Midfielders
- #5 Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
- #6 Orkun Kökçü (Beşiktaş, Turkey)
- #10 Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan, Italy)
- #16 İsmail Yüksek (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
- #22 Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray, Turkey)
Forwards
- #7 Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
- #8 Arda Güler (Real Madrid, Spain)
- #9 Deniz Gül (FC Porto, Portugal)
- #11 Kenan Yıldız (Juventus, Italy)
- #17 İrfan Can Kahveci (Kasımpaşa, Turkey)
- #19 Yunus Akgün (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- #21 Barış Alper Yılmaz (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- #24 Oğuz Aydın (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
- #26 Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany)
Head Coach
- Vincenzo Montella (Italy)
