Turkey have named their squad for the 2026 World Cup with the intention of making a big impression on the tournament.
Italian, Vincenzo Montella, will take charge of the Turkey side for their third campaign at the World Cup. They reached the semi-finals in 2002 but haven’t qualified since, with this being a big opportunity for the nation.
There are a number of players that will be well-known by fans of English football, with Altay Bayındır of Manchester United, Brighton’s Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Ozan Kabak, who spent time on loan at Liverpool being known by some.
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Turkey World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Uğurcan Çakır | GK | Galatasaray (Turkey) | 38 | 0 |
| 1 | Mert Günok | GK | Fenerbahce (Turkey) | 37 | 1 |
| 12 | Altay Bayındır | GK | Manchester United (England) | 11 | 0 |
| 3 | Merih Demiral | DF | Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) | 61 | 6 |
| 2 | Zeki Çelik | DF | Roma (Italy) | 59 | 3 |
| 4 | Çağlar Söyüncü | DF | Fenerbahce (Turkey) | 59 | 2 |
| 18 | Mert Müldür | DF | Fenerbahce (Turkey) | 43 | 3 |
| 20 | Ferdi Kadıoğlu | DF | Brighton (England) | 30 | 2 |
| 15 | Ozan Kabak | DF | Hoffenheim (Germany) | 28 | 2 |
| 14 | Abdülkerim Bardakcı | DF | Galatasaray (Turkey) | 26 | 2 |
| 13 | Eren Elmalı | DF | Galatasaray (Turkey) | 21 | 0 |
| 25 | Samet Akaydin | DF | Çaykur Rizespor (Turkey) | 18 | 1 |
| 10 | Hakan Çalhanoğlu | MF | Inter (Italy) | 104 | 22 |
| 22 | Kaan Ayhan | MF | Galatasaray (Turkey) | 72 | 5 |
| 6 | Orkun Kökçü | MF | Besiktas (Turkey) | 48 | 3 |
| 16 | İsmail Yüksek | MF | Fenerbahce (Turkey) | 31 | 1 |
| 5 | Salih Özcan | MF | Borussia Dortmund (Germany) | 28 | 1 |
| 7 | Kerem Aktürkoğlu | FW | Fenerbahce (Turkey) | 51 | 15 |
| 17 | İrfan Can Kahveci | FW | Kasımpaşa (Turkey) | 45 | 6 |
| 21 | Barış Alper Yılmaz | FW | Galatasaray (Turkey) | 33 | 2 |
| 8 | Arda Güler | FW | Real Madrid (Spain) | 28 | 6 |
| 11 | Kenan Yıldız | FW | Juventus (Italy) | 28 | 5 |
| 19 | Yunus Akgün | FW | Galatasaray (Turkey) | 17 | 3 |
| 24 | Oğuz Aydın | FW | Fenerbahce (Turkey) | 9 | 0 |
| 9 | Deniz Gül | FW | Porto (Portugal) | 6 | 1 |
| 26 | Can Uzun | FW | Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) | 4 | 0 |
Turkey arrive at the 2026 World Cup with a squad that epitomises the vibrancy and technical flair of a new generation. The Crescent-Stars have long been the tournament’s ultimate wildcard, and their roster suggests they are primed to recapture the magic of their historic 2002 run. Under the tactical stewardship of Vincenzo Montella, Turkey possess a dynamic attacking identity that thrives on quick transitions and individual brilliance. Central to their ambitions is the creative genius of Arda Güler, whose vision and technical proficiency make him one of the most exciting prospects in world football.
However, it is the collective strength of the side that offers the potential for genuine impact. With the likes of Kenan Yıldız and Kerem Aktürkoğlu providing explosive pace in wide areas, and a midfield anchored by the experienced Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Turkey have the tools to dismantle even the most organised defences. Defensively, the presence of Merih Demiral and Çağlar Söyüncü provides a robust foundation, allowing their more expressive players the freedom to innovate. We expect Turkey to be the tournament’s most unpredictable force, with their high-octane style and passionate support making them a threat to the established order. If they can maintain their tactical discipline and harness their clinical edge, a deep run into the knockout stages is well within their reach this summer.
- Read more: Turkey World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Arda Güler (Real Madrid)
Arda Güler is poised to be a pivotal figure for Turkey at the 2026 World Cup, following a breakout 2025/26 season with Real Madrid. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has transitioned from prodigy to an established force, contributing significantly with four goals and nine assists in La Liga, and earning the title of UEFA Champions League Revelation of the Season.
Güler’s exceptional talent and composure under pressure make him the creative lynchpin for the Turkish national team, which he helped qualify for the tournament. Coach Vincenzo Montella views him as central to the squad’s strategy, alongside Kenan Yildiz. His ability to unlock defences and provide crucial attacking impetus will be vital for Turkey’s aspirations on the global stage, as they aim to make a significant impact after a prolonged absence from the World Cup finals.
Kenan Yıldız (Juventus)
Kenan Yıldız is set to be a transformative presence for Turkey at this summer’s World Cup, providing a dynamic edge to Vincenzo Montella’s side. The Juventus forward, whose surname aptly translates to ‘star’, has enjoyed a stellar campaign in Italy, contributing eleven goals and ten assists. His blend of technical elegance and physical power makes him a nightmare for defenders, whether he is deployed as a winger or a secondary striker.
As part of a formidable young duo alongside Arda Güler, Yıldız represents the creative heartbeat of a resurgent Turkish squad. His ability to drive forward and find the back of the net was evident during the qualifying rounds, where he netted three crucial goals. With Turkey returning to the world stage after a twenty-four-year absence, Yıldız’s fearlessness and clinical finishing will be essential if the Crescent Stars are to navigate a challenging group and progress deep into the tournament.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter)
Hakan Çalhanoğlu enters this summer’s World Cup as the indispensable heartbeat and captain of the Turkish national team. While younger talents like Arda Güler grab the headlines, the Inter Milan maestro provides the vital experience and tactical discipline required on the global stage. Now operating primarily as a deep-lying playmaker, Çalhanoğlu’s transition into a ‘regista’ has been masterminded by Vincenzo Montella, allowing him to dictate the tempo of matches with his exceptional passing range and vision.
His leadership will be paramount for a relatively young squad returning to the tournament after a twenty-four-year hiatus. Beyond his organisational skills, his renowned set-piece delivery remains a potent weapon that can decide tight encounters in Group D. As the bridge between a solid defence and an explosive attack, Çalhanoğlu’s ability to maintain composure under pressure will determine whether Turkey can translate their individual brilliance into a cohesive, deep run in the competition.
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Turkey World Cup 2026 fixtures
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