Türkiye
Türkiye (TUR) have been drawn in Group D for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside United States, Australia, Paraguay. Head coach Vincenzo Montella leads the squad. Ranked #26 by FIFA, the team have made 2 World Cup appearance(s).
Vincenzo Montella
ITVincenzo Montella (Italian pronunciation: [vinˈtʃɛntso monˈtɛlla]; born 18 June 1974) is an Italian football manager and former striker. He is the current head coach of the Turkey national football team. Montella's nickname during his playing career was "Aeroplanino", in reference to his small stature and trademark goal celebration, in which he spread his arms like wings. A prolific goalscorer, throughout his playing career Montella played as a forward for Italian clubs Empoli, Genoa, Sampdoria and Roma, and also had a spell on loan in England with Fulham.
- Euro 2024 Quarter-finals (Turkey)
- Led Turkey to 2026 World Cup qualification
- Serie A and Turkish Süper Lig experience
- +3 more
SQUAD
26
GK Trabzonspor goalkeeper and Türkiye's number one. Currently plying his trade at Trabzonspor, a commanding presence between the posts, Uğurcan Çakır is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Türkiye. Has earned 25 international caps. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
GK Manchester United backup goalkeeper and Türkiye's second-choice keeper. Currently plying his trade at Manchester United, a commanding presence between the posts, Altay Bayındır is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Türkiye. Has earned 12 international caps. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
GK Beşiktaş goalkeeper who made a crucial save at Euro 2024. Currently plying his trade at Beşiktaş, a commanding presence between the posts, Mert Günok is known for sharp reflexes and assured shot-stopping, serving as the last line of defense for Türkiye. Has earned 25 international caps. Born in 1989, the 37-year-old veteran continues to compete at the highest level, bringing invaluable experience and professionalism. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
DF Fenerbahçe centre-back with 59 caps for Türkiye. Spent five Premier League seasons at Leicester City (2018–23) alongside Vardy and Maddison, then a year at Atlético Madrid before returning to Turkey with Fenerbahçe in 2024. A mainstay of the Euro 2024 squad that reached the quarter-finals.
DF Galatasaray left-back with 20 Turkey caps. Made 111 appearances at Trabzonspor before signing with Galatasaray in February 2025. Won back-to-back Süper Lig titles and the Turkish Cup with Galatasaray. Quick, attack-minded full-back known for overlapping runs.
DF TSG Hoffenheim centre-back with 26 Turkey caps. Debuted for Galatasaray at 16, making him one of the youngest Süper Lig debutants. Moved to Stuttgart, then Schalke 04, before a loan at Liverpool in 2021 where he partnered Van Dijk. Joined Hoffenheim in 2022 and has been a defensive pillar with 4 goals in 24 appearances this season.
DF Fenerbahçe right-back with strong attacking instincts for Türkiye. Currently plying his trade at Fenerbahçe, a dependable defender, Mert Müldür combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Türkiye's backline. Has earned 15 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
DF Al-Ahli centre-back who scored twice against Austria at Euro 2024. Currently plying his trade at Al-Ahli, a dependable defender, Merih Demiral combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Türkiye's backline. Has earned 45 international caps, scoring 5 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
DF Fenerbahçe centre-back and a regular in Türkiye's defence. Currently plying his trade at Fenerbahçe, a dependable defender, Samet Akaydin combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Türkiye's backline. Has earned 15 international caps. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
DF Galatasaray centre-back and a solid presence in Türkiye's defence. Currently plying his trade at Galatasaray, a dependable defender, Abdülkerim Bardakcı combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Türkiye's backline. Has earned 15 international caps. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
DF Brighton left-back and one of Türkiye's best performers at Euro 2024. Currently plying his trade at Brighton, a dependable defender, Ferdi Kadıoğlu combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Türkiye's backline. Has earned 25 international caps, scoring 2 goals. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
DF Roma right-back and an experienced Türkiye international. Currently plying his trade at Roma, a dependable defender, Zeki Çelik combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Türkiye's backline. Has earned 55 international caps, scoring 2 goals, building significant international experience. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
MF VfB Stuttgart captain and defensive midfielder. Joined from Holstein Kiel in 2019, winning promotion in his first season. Named captain in 2024 and helped Stuttgart qualify for the Champions League. Made his Turkey debut in November 2025 against Bulgaria in World Cup qualifying. 2 caps.
MF Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder, born November 2005 in Regensburg, Germany. Broke through at 1. FC Nürnberg with 16 goals in 30 appearances in 2023/24. Signed with Frankfurt in July 2024 on a 5-year deal. Emerged as a key starter in 2025/26 with 5 goals and 3 assists in 10 Bundesliga starts. Turkey senior debut in March 2024, 4 caps.
MF Galatasaray defender and a versatile option in Türkiye's back line. Currently plying his trade at Galatasaray, a dependable defender, Kaan Ayhan combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling, forming a key part of Türkiye's backline. Has earned 30 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
MF Benfica midfielder and Türkiye's creative playmaker. Currently plying his trade at Benfica, an industrious midfielder, Orkun Kökçü excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Türkiye. Has earned 30 international caps, scoring 5 goals. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
MF Real Madrid midfielder and Türkiye's most talented young player. Currently plying his trade at Real Madrid, an industrious midfielder, Arda Güler excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Türkiye. Has earned 20 international caps, scoring 6 goals. Born in 2005, the 21-year-old is already making waves at the international level, with an exciting career ahead. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
MF Inter Milan midfielder, Türkiye's captain and free-kick specialist. Currently plying his trade at Inter Milan, an industrious midfielder, Hakan Çalhanoğlu excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Türkiye. Has earned 90 international caps, scoring 18 goals, making him one of the most senior figures in the squad. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
MF Borussia Dortmund defensive midfielder and Türkiye's midfield enforcer. Currently plying his trade at Borussia Dortmund, an industrious midfielder, Salih Özcan excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Türkiye. Has earned 10 international caps. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
MF Fenerbahçe midfielder and an energetic presence in Türkiye's midfield. Currently plying his trade at Fenerbahçe, an industrious midfielder, İsmail Yüksek excels at dictating tempo and linking defense to attack, acting as the creative engine for Türkiye. Has earned 10 international caps. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
FW Porto forward, born July 2004 in Stockholm to a Turkish father and Swedish mother. Developed at Hammarby IF before signing with Porto in 2024. Represented Sweden at youth level before switching to Turkey in November 2024. Played in the World Cup play-off win over Kosovo. 6 caps, 1 goal for Türkiye.
FW Fenerbahçe winger with 51 Turkey caps and 15 goals. Joined via Benfica in 2025 for €22.5m after starring at Galatasaray. Scored a stunning long-range goal against Georgia at Euro 2024. Scored the only goal in the World Cup play-off final against Kosovo in March 2026 — the strike that sent Türkiye to their first World Cup since 2002.
FW Fenerbahçe forward, a two-footed versatile attacker who can play on either wing or as a second striker. Signed from Alanyaspor in July 2024. Made his Turkey debut in June 2024 against Italy. 10 caps, known for composure and clinical finishing.
FW Galatasaray winger and Türkiye's fastest player at Euro 2024. Currently plying his trade at Galatasaray, a clinical forward, Barış Alper Yılmaz possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Türkiye's primary attacking threat. Has earned 20 international caps, scoring 3 goals. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
FW Galatasaray winger and a pacey attacker for Türkiye. Currently plying his trade at Galatasaray, a clinical forward, Yunus Akgün possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Türkiye's primary attacking threat. Has earned 10 international caps, scoring 1 goal. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
FW Juventus winger and one of Türkiye's most exciting young attacking talents. Currently plying his trade at Juventus, a clinical forward, Kenan Yıldız possesses sharp finishing instincts and intelligent movement, serving as Türkiye's primary attacking threat. Has earned 15 international caps, scoring 3 goals. Born in 2005, the 21-year-old is already making waves at the international level, with an exciting career ahead. Set to compete with Türkiye at the 2026 World Cup, building on the team's 2 previous tournament appearances.
GROUP STANDINGS — Group D
GROUP RIVALS — Group D
RELATED NEWS
FAQ
- What group is Türkiye in at the 2026 World Cup?
- Türkiye are in Group D alongside United States, Australia, Paraguay.
- Who is the head coach of Türkiye?
- The head coach of Türkiye is Vincenzo Montella.
- What is Türkiye's best World Cup finish?
- Türkiye's best result is Third place, with 2 total appearances.