Türkiye at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Türkiye has appeared at the World Cup three times: 1954, 2002, and 2026. Their finest hour came at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, where they reached the semi-finals and finished third, defeating South Korea 3-2 in the third-place match. Hakan Sukur famously scored the fastest goal in World Cup history, just 10.8 seconds into that match. The 2026 tournament ends a 24-year absence from the global stage. Türkiye has never won the World Cup.

Qualification

Türkiye qualified for the 2026 World Cup via the UEFA playoff Path C. In the semi-final on March 26, 2026, they defeated Romania 1-0 in Istanbul, with Ferdi Kadioglu scoring in the 53rd minute. In the final on March 31 in Pristina, Türkiye beat Kosovo 1-0 through a 53rd-minute strike by Kerem Akturkoglu to secure qualification. This ended a 24-year World Cup absence and came under Italian coach Vincenzo Montella, appointed in September 2023.

Preparation

Türkiye ended their 2026 World Cup group stage with a dramatic 3-2 win over the USA on June 25 at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles - their first World Cup win since 2002. Arda Güler (10') and Barış Alper Yılmaz (31') gave Turkey a 2-1 half-time lead after Auston Trusty (3') opened; Berhalter equalised in the 49th minute but substitute Kaan Ayhan swept in the winner in the 90+8th minute. Turkey finished 4th in Group D with 3 points (1W, 0D, 2L). Earlier in the group stage they lost 2-0 to Australia (June 13) and 0-1 to Paraguay (June 19). Coach Montella said the USA win 'matters more than 1,000 victories' and expressed confidence Turkey would return to the World Cup sooner than 24 years. TFF president Haciosmanoglu has backed Montella, whose contract runs to July 2028. On 28 June the TFF confirmed Montella stays but announced reforms ahead of the Nations League: a performance mentor joins the staff, the athletic/physical conditioning staff is being revised, the World Cup's striker-less system is being reconsidered, and squad selection will be more merit-based. Türkiye's 2026/27 UEFA Nations League A Group 1 fixtures (vs France, Italy twice, Belgium) were confirmed on 1 July, running 25 September - 5 October 2026.

Latest news

Turkey's UEFA Nations League A Group 1 fixtures confirmed: France, Italy (twice) and Belgium

· general

Türkiye's 2026/27 UEFA Nations League A Group 1 schedule was confirmed: home to France on 25 September (Kocaeli Stadium) and home to Italy on 28 September (Bursa Atatürk Sports Complex), then away to Belgium on 2 October (Liège) and away to Italy again on 5 October (Bologna). All kickoffs 21:45 local. Turkey play their first two matches at home and the final two away.

TFF confirms Montella stays but overhauls staff, striker system and selection policy before Nations League

· coach

The TFF confirmed Montella stays as coach after the World Cup exit but will reform before the Nations League: a performance mentor joins the staff, physical conditioning staff is revised, the striker-less system is reconsidered, and squad selection becomes more merit-based with easier entry for in-form newcomers.

Montella: 'We leave with heads held high; today's win matters more than 1,000 victories'

· coach

After the 3-2 win over the USA, Montella said 'We can go back home with our chin up' and called the match 'a game worth a thousand victories.' He said 'Football hurts, but I got emotional at the end.' He acknowledged missed chances earlier in the tournament, praised his players' heart and character, and said Turkey would not have to wait another 24 years to return to the World Cup.

Turkey 3-2 USA: Güler and Ayhan seal dramatic stoppage-time win at SoFi Stadium

· matches

Türkiye beat the USA 3-2 at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles - their first World Cup win since 2002. Arda Güler (10') and Barış Alper Yılmaz (31') gave Turkey a 2-1 half-time lead after Auston Trusty (3') opened. Berhalter equalised in the 49th minute, but substitute Kaan Ayhan swept in a 90+8 minute winner. Turkey finished 4th in Group D with 3 points (1W 0D 2L).

Montella rejects resignation at pre-USA press conference, defends players after hotel heckling

· coach

On June 24 Montella firmly rejected stepping down: 'If the question is whether I want to resign, the answer is no. Because I still have energy.' He gave a 10-minute defence of his players after Turkish fans confronted Montella, TFF president Haciosmanoglu and captain Calhanoglu outside their Los Angeles hotel on June 23. Montella said: 'They are our boys...I cannot accept it.'

Yunus Akgun listed as doubtful for USA match after leaving training with undisclosed injury

· injuries

Yunus Akgun left a Turkey training session on Monday (June 23) with an undisclosed injury and is listed as doubtful for the group finale against the USA. He was not expected to start the match regardless. No other Turkey players are listed as injured or suspended ahead of the June 25 fixture.

TFF president backs Montella: 'We will stand by our coach'

· general

TFF president Haciosmanoglu confirmed on 22 June that Montella stays: 'I never gave him a chance to say it. We didn't have that kind of conversation.' He added: 'We will stand by our coach, and we will stand by our players.' Montella has a contract through July 2028 and previously guided Turkey to the EURO 2024 quarter-finals. Focus shifts to Euro 2028 qualification.

Montella faces resignation calls after Paraguay elimination; Guler issues public apology

· general

After Türkiye's group-stage exit, Arda Guler issued a public apology saying 'We are ashamed.' Coach Montella stated 'fate was not on our side' and acknowledged his players 'gave everything.' Turkish media reports indicate Montella is facing calls to resign following two group-stage defeats to Australia and Paraguay.

Turkey 0-1 Paraguay: Galarza strike in 2nd minute eliminates Türkiye from Group D

· matches

Türkiye lost 0-1 to Paraguay at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara. Matias Galarza scored in the 2nd minute. Kenan Yildiz started as left winger. Miguel Almiron was red-carded in 45+3' for covering his mouth (first dismissal under the new FIFA rule), but Türkiye could not equalise despite the numerical advantage. Turkey are eliminated from knockout contention.

Yıldız completes full training session on eve of Australia opener

· injuries

Kenan Yıldız completed a full training session with the Turkey squad on June 13, the day before the Australia match, according to NTVSpor. He had been training separately since late May with a calf injury. Despite the session, he was not included in the starting eleven and began the game on the bench.

Australia 2-0 Türkiye: Socceroos shock Türkiye in World Cup Group D opener

· matches

Türkiye lost their 2026 World Cup Group D opener 2-0 to Australia at BC Place, Vancouver. Nestory Irankunda (27') and Connor Metcalfe (75') scored; Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves. Turkey dominated possession (72%) with 30 shots but could not score. Kenan Yıldız came on at half-time for Barış Alper Yılmaz.

Montella urges balance after Australia defeat: 'We are still very much in the race'

· general

After the 2-0 loss to Australia, coach Montella urged composure: 'My congratulations to Australia. This is football. It should give us even more motivation.' He stressed keeping convictions intact and noted Türkiye 'can definitely do something more', adding they are 'still very much in the race' for the knockout stage.

Yıldız partially rejoins team training; availability for Australia opener still uncertain

· injuries

Kenan Yıldız, nursing a calf injury sustained in late May, partially rejoined Türkiye's training session on June 11, beginning separately before joining a friendly tactical game. He had still been training individually on June 9. His availability for Türkiye's World Cup opener against Australia on June 13 remains uncertain.

Kadıoğlu and Yıldız over their knocks; Montella set to use both against Australia

· injuries

Turkish media reported that Ferdi Kadıoğlu has fully recovered from his injury and is ready for Türkiye's World Cup opener against Australia, where Montella plans to use him. Kenan Yıldız, who had trained separately, is expected to reach full fitness and is reportedly planned for the starting eleven. Both had been rested over minor knocks at the Venezuela friendly on 6 June.

Türkiye come from behind to beat Venezuela 2-1 in final World Cup warm-up

· matches

Türkiye recovered from a goal down to beat Venezuela 2-1 at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, their last warm-up before the World Cup. Gleiker Mendoza put Venezuela ahead in the 13th minute, but Barış Alper Yılmaz levelled in the 44th from an Arda Güler corner and Yunus Akgün struck the winner with a long-range half-volley in the 54th. Türkiye finished both warm-ups unbeaten.

Montella rests Kenan Yıldız and Ferdi Kadıoğlu against Venezuela over minor knocks

· injuries

Coach Vincenzo Montella left Kenan Yıldız and Ferdi Kadıoğlu out of the Venezuela friendly while managing minor fitness issues. Montella said Yıldız had begun running and would gradually rejoin the group, and that he did not want to risk Kadıoğlu, who could otherwise have played. Both are expected to be available for Türkiye's World Cup group matches.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu returns from knee injury as a substitute against Venezuela

· injuries

Kerem Aktürkoğlu made his comeback from the knee sprain he suffered in late-May training, coming off the bench in the second half against Venezuela. He had a shooting chance in the 78th minute that went wide. His return leaves him available for Türkiye's World Cup opener against Australia.

Türkiye open World Cup training camp in Florida ahead of Venezuela friendly

· general

Türkiye held their first 2026 World Cup training session in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the Florida Blue Training Center under coach Vincenzo Montella. The Florida base camp will be used to fine-tune preparations before their final warm-up against Venezuela at Inter Miami CF Stadium on 6 June, after which they open Group D against Australia on 13 June.

Montella names final 26-man World Cup squad; three trimmed from the 29

· squad

Coach Vincenzo Montella confirmed Türkiye's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. Goalkeeper Muhammed Şengezer, Demir Ege Tıknaz and Aral Şimşir were left out of the travelling 26 but went to the United States on standby, as World Cup rules allow injury replacements before each team's opening match. Kerem Aktürkoğlu was included despite his recent training knock.

Montella trims squad to 29; six players cut from preliminary list

· squad

Coach Vincenzo Montella reduced his 35-man preliminary World Cup list, leaving 29 players to travel to the United States for the warm-up matches. The six dropped are goalkeeper Ersin Destanoğlu and outfielders Ahmetcan Kaplan, Mustafa Eskihellaç, Yusuf Sarı, Atakan Karazor and Yusuf Akçiçek. Three further cuts are needed to reach the final 26-man squad.

Türkiye 4-0 North Macedonia in first World Cup warm-up

· matches

Türkiye beat North Macedonia 4-0 in a friendly at the Ülker Stadyumu in Istanbul. Orkun Kökçü opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, Can Uzun added a second in the 16th, Deniz Gül made it three after the break (53rd) and Barış Alper Yılmaz completed the rout in the 70th. It was Türkiye's first of two warm-up matches before the tournament.

Aktürkoğlu held out of friendly as precaution but back to normal

· injuries

Kerem Aktürkoğlu was left out of the North Macedonia matchday squad as a precaution while his minor training injury is managed. Montella said it was "a small scare" and the player is "back to normal now" and can resume training, but is not being rushed. Aktürkoğlu remains in Türkiye's World Cup plans.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Altay BayındırGKManchester United
Uğurcan ÇakırGKGalatasaray
Mert GünokGKFenerbahçe
Abdülkerim BardakcıDFGalatasaray
Çağlar SöyüncüDFFenerbahçe
Eren ElmalıDFGalatasaray
Ferdi KadıoğluDFBrighton & Hove Albion
Merih DemiralDFAl-Ahli
Mert MüldürDFFenerbahçe
Ozan KabakDFTSG Hoffenheim
Samet AkaydinDFÇaykur Rizespor
Zeki ÇelikDFRoma
Hakan ÇalhanoğluMFInter Milan
İsmail YüksekMFFenerbahçe
Kaan AyhanMFGalatasaray
Orkun KökçüMFBeşiktaş JK
Salih ÖzcanMFBorussia Dortmund
Arda GülerMFReal Madrid
Baris Alper YılmazFWGalatasaray
Can UzunFWEintracht Frankfurt
Deniz GülFWFC Porto
İrfan Can KahveciFWKasımpaşa
Kenan YıldızFWJuventus
Kerem AktürkoğluFWFenerbahçe
Oğuz AydınFWFenerbahçe
Yunus AkgünFWGalatasaray

Recent results

  • 2024-03-22 — HUN 1-0 TUR (friendly)
  • 2024-03-26 — AUT 6-1 TUR (friendly)
  • 2024-06-04 — ITA 0-0 TUR (friendly)
  • 2024-06-10 — POL 2-1 TUR (friendly)
  • 2025-06-07 — USA 1-2 TUR (friendly)
  • 2025-06-10 — MEX 1-0 TUR (friendly)
  • 2025-09-04 — GEO 2-3 TUR (qualification)
  • 2025-09-07 — TUR 0-6 ESP (qualification)
  • 2025-10-11 — BUL 1-6 TUR (qualification)
  • 2025-10-14 — TUR 4-1 GEO (qualification)
  • 2025-11-15 — TUR 2-0 BUL (qualification)
  • 2025-11-18 — ESP 2-2 TUR (qualification)
  • 2026-03-26 — TUR 1-0 ROU (qualification)
  • 2026-03-31 — KOS 0-1 TUR (qualification)
  • 2026-06-01 — TUR 4-0 MKD (friendly)
  • 2026-06-06 — VEN 1-2 TUR (friendly)
  • 2026-06-13 — AUS 2-0 TUR (group)
  • 2026-06-19 — TUR 0-1 PAR (group)
  • 2026-06-25 — TUR 3-2 USA (group)

View Group D →