Turkey at FIFA World Cup 2026 – Player to watch, tactics, predicted playing time XI

24 years ago, Turkey enjoyed a dream summer. On the golden fields of South Korea and Japan, he stunned the football world by making a dream run at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, finishing third in just his second World Cup appearance.

Since then, however, the team has had to watch from a distance after crashing five times in qualifying.

However, that will not be the case in 2026.

Ay-Yıldızlılar (The Crescent-Stars) bounced back from a 6-0 defeat to Spain in the second qualifying match by producing an incredibly efficient qualifying match. It remained unbeaten for the remainder of the stage and secured its place in the North American showstopper with a 1-0 win in the Playoff Final over Kosovo in Pristina.

At the helm for Turkey is Italian Vincenzo Montella, who has achieved impressive results leading the team. Under his leadership, Turkey reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championships – the group stage of an international tournament for the first time in sixteen years – and earned promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League.

It won’t be light in terms of firepower either. Veteran midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu will pull the strings in the middle of the park at a World Cup for the first time in his career, while the defense features plenty of experience with the likes of Merih Demiral, Zeki Celik and Ferdi Kadioglu.

The most exciting part of the team will be the creative young duo of Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) and Arda Guler (Real Madrid) – neither of whom were born the last time Turkey went to a World Cup – both of whom have shown the ability to translate their sparkling creativity and talent into output during the recently concluded club season.

The challenge for Montella and Co. will see if it can channel the spirit of 2002 24 years later, as Turkey returns to the World Cup for the first time since then.

Player to watch out for: Hakan Çalhanoğlu

Only two players have made more appearances for Turkey than Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and the 32-year-old will finally make his World Cup debut in 2026. Known for his precise passing and dead-ball skills, Çalhanoğlu will look to take the reins in midfield for his side this summer.

Manager: Vincenzo Montella

Vincenzo Montella’s managerial background was largely in club management in his native Italy when he was appointed manager of Turkey after leaving Adana Demirspor, but he has played a transformative role for the national team.

His side have already broken more than one historic hoodoo and will look to do so again this summer.

Published on June 6, 2026