Turkey
UEFA · Group D · FIFA Ranking #22
Team Info
| FIFA Code | TUR |
| Coach | Vincenzo Montella |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Group | Group D |
| FIFA Ranking | #22 |
Group Teams
United States
Turkey
Australia
Paraguay
Match Schedule
Australia
vs
Turkey
Paraguay
vs
Turkey
United States
vs
Turkey
📺 Where to watch in Turkey
- TRT Free TV
Tournament Outlook
Turkey carry the legacy of their legendary 2002 World Cup third-place finish into 2026 with a formidable squad. Quarter-finalists at Euro 2024, the Crescent Stars under Vincenzo Montella masterfully blend youth and experience. Real Madrid's young gem Arda Güler provides creativity, while Inter Milan's Hakan Çalhanoğlu dictates the midfield tempo. Galatasaray speedster Barış Alper Yılmaz threatens on the wings, and Ferdi Kadıoğlu excels with his versatility in both defense and attack. With passionate fan culture and a tradition of tournament surprises, Turkey are a genuine dark horse and one of the most exciting contenders for a deep run.
Key Players
World Cup History
All-Time World Cup Record
Turkey's World Cup history is short but unforgettable. The Crescent-Stars had qualified just twice before 2026 — in 1954, when they exited in the group stage in Switzerland, and in 2002, when they authored a fairy-tale run to third place in South Korea and Japan. On that fabled journey they beat Senegal in the quarter-finals, lost to eventual champions Brazil in the semi-finals, and sealed the bronze medal against co-hosts South Korea — a game in which Hakan Şükür scored the fastest goal in World Cup history, just 11 seconds after kick-off. A 24-year absence followed, ending only with this 2026 qualification on the back of a bright Euro 2024 quarter-final run led by Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu.