After almost a quarter of a century, Türkiye are back at the World Cup, having come through a gruelling playoff route.
The streets of Türkiye were filled with people hanging out of beeping cars and waving flags when their men’s football team ended their 24-year wait for a FIFA World Cup berth.
After an intense playoff win on 31 March, the nation advanced to the 2026 edition as one of the last four European teams, securing qualification dramatically and marking only their third appearance — and first since a third-place finish in 2002.
With a glittering squad featuring a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned experience, the Crescent-Stars are back on the global stage.
Drawn in Group C, they will be up against Australia, Paraguay and the tournament co-hosts USA, in the opening round.
Quick facts
- Captain: Hakan Çalhanoğlu
- Manager: Vincenzo Montella
- World Cup appearances (including 2026): 3
- Best World Cup result: Third (2002)
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Türkiye’s final squad
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayındır (Manchester United), Mert Günok (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Uğurcan Çakır (Galatasaray A.Ş.)
Defenders: Abdülkerim Bardakcı (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Çağlar Söyüncü (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Eren Elmalı (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Brighton & Hove Albion), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli), Mert Müldür (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Ozan Kabak (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydın (Çaykur Rizespor A.Ş.), Zeki Çelik (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Internazionale), İsmail Yüksek (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Orkun Kökçü (Beşiktaş A.Ş.), Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund)
Forwards: Arda Güler (Real Madrid), Barış Alper Yılmaz (Galatasaray A.Ş.), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gül (FC Porto), İrfan Can Kahveci (Kasımpaşa A.Ş.), Kenan Yıldız (Juventus), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Oğuz Aydın (Fenerbahçe A.Ş.), Yunus Akgün (Galatasaray A.Ş.)