TUR
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP D · POT 4

Türkiye
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Vincenzo Montella · Italian head coach since 2023. Former AC Milan and Fiorentina manager at 51 — led Türkiye to their first EURO knockout in 24 years (EURO 2024). High-press 4-2-3-1 specialist.
MD1 Jun 13 vs Australia MD2 Jun 18 vs Paraguay MD3 Jun 25 vs USA
2th World Cup appearance · best finish: Third place (2002)
26
Squad size
27.2
Avg. age
11 / 26
Overseas-based
0 / 26
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Vincenzo Montella's (Italian) Türkiye announced their final 26 on June 2 (trimmed from 35). This is Türkiye's first World Cup in 24 years (since Japan/Korea 2002, where they finished 3rd). Following a successful EURO 2024 R16 run, a generation of new talent has emerged.

Spine: captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter, 2023-24 Serie A winner) + Arda Güler (Real Madrid, 20-year-old prodigy) + Kenan Yıldız (Juventus's No.10, 21) + Demiral (Al-Ahli) + Söyüncü (Fenerbahçe) + Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Brighton). A Premier League/Serie A/La Liga-loaded squad combined with Galatasaray/Fenerbahçe domestic stars.

Group D opponents: Australia, Paraguay, USA. June 13 vs AUS (Vancouver Stadium) → June 18 vs PAR (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium) → June 25 vs USA (Los Angeles Stadium). Matching 2002's bronze medal is the long-term goal — a Round of 16 berth is the immediate target.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-2-3-1.

Montella's preferred 4-2-3-1. Real Madrid prodigy Arda Güler in the No.10 role, with Yıldız (Juve) and Aktürkoğlu on the wings. Deniz Gül or Kahveci at No.9. Captain Çalhanoğlu (Inter) + Kökçü as the double pivot. Demiral + Söyüncü at CB.

4-2-3-1 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

10
CDM · MF
Hakan Çalhanoğlu
Inter Milan · 32 · Serie A
104 caps · 22G WC debut
Captain & Inter midfield orchestrator
CAPTAIN
8
CAM · FW
Arda Güler
Real Madrid · 21 · La Liga
28 caps · 6G WC debut
Real Madrid's 20yo prodigy
ACE
11
RW · FW
Kenan Yıldız
Juventus · 21 · Serie A
28 caps · 5G WC debut
Juve's No.10 (21yo)
3
CB · DF
Merih Demiral
Al-Ahli · 28
61 caps · 6G WC debut
EURO 2024 brace CB
1
GK · GK
Mert Günok
Fenerbahçe · 37
37 caps · 0G WC debut
EURO 2024 R16 save hero
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 5
FW FORWARDS 9
GROUP D

GROUP D.

USA
USA
POT 1
PAR
Paraguay
POT 2
AUS
Australia
POT 3
TUR
Türkiye
POT 4
Sat, Jun 13
Australia vs Türkiye
Vancouver Stadium · Vancouver
Türkiye's first World Cup match in 24 years (since Japan/Korea 2002). Vs Pot 3 Australia in Vancouver — Arda Güler's creativity and Çalhanoğlu's midfield control are critical.
View lineups →
MD1
Thu, Jun 18
Paraguay vs Türkiye
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium · Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara clash vs Paraguay. Containing Almirón's pace tests Demiral + Söyüncü plus Kadıoğlu (Brighton).
View lineups →
MD2
Thu, Jun 25
USA vs Türkiye
Los Angeles Stadium · Inglewood, CA
Group decider vs hosts USA. A blockbuster with R16 berth on the line — neutralising Pulisic against Yıldız + Güler's young talent.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group D
  1. Round of 32 Jul 01 · Santa Clara vs 3rd place (B/E/F/I/J)
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Seattle vs Winner of Match 82
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 93
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
Runners-up, Group D
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Arlington vs Runners-up Group G
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 86
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 96
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
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