World Cup 2026: Türkiye inspired by 2002 legacy as Montella’s young stars chase new miracle
Turkey head into the 2026 World Cup with renewed belief and a clear ambition — to relive the magic of their unforgettable 2002 campaign, when they stunned the football world by finishing third.
Under head coach Vincenzo Montella, the Ay-Yıldızlılar arrive in North America as a balanced blend of youthful talent and experienced leadership, with expectations steadily rising around a squad ranked 22nd in the world.
Montella, who was part of Italy’s 2002 World Cup squad, has built a Turkish side that plays with structure, intensity and attacking flair. Since taking charge in 2021, the Italian tactician has overseen steady progress, including a historic qualification push that saw Türkiye finish second in their European qualifying group before edging Kosovo 1-0 in the play-offs to secure their place at the tournament.
At the heart of Turkey’s hopes is Arda Güler, the 21-year-old Real Madrid midfielder widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting creative talents. After breaking through at Fenerbahçe as a teenager, Güler has developed into a key figure at club level, and his influence is expected to be decisive on the world stage.
Turkey’s World Cup journey will begin in a competitive Group stage, where they face Australia, Paraguay and the United States. Their opening match against Australia on June 14 is already being viewed as a key test of their knockout ambitions.
History offers both inspiration and motivation. Turkey have only appeared at the World Cup twice before — in 1954 and 2002 — with their third-place finish in Korea-Japan remaining the nation’s greatest football achievement.
Montella’s side will look to draw confidence from that legacy, while writing a new chapter of their own.
Head-to-head records also give Turkey quiet confidence, with strong past results against Australia and mixed outcomes against the USA and Paraguay, suggesting a tightly contested group.
As kick-off approaches, the message from the Turkish camp is clear: this is not just about participation, but about chasing another miracle.
Turkey World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir (Manchester United), Mert Gunok (Fenerbahce), Ugurcan Cakir (Galatasaray).
Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakci (Galatasaray), Caglar Soyuncu (Fenerbahce), Eren Elmali (Galatasaray), Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli Saudi), Mert Muldur (Fenerbahce), Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydin (Caykur Rizespor), Zeki Celik (AS Roma).
Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan), Ismail Yuksek (Fenerbahce), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray), Orkun Kokcu (Besiktas), Salih Ozcan (Borussia Dortmund).
Forwards: Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gul (Porto), Irfan Can Kahveci (Kasimpasa), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Kerem Akturkoglu (Fenerbahce), Oguz Aydin (Fenerbahce), Yunus Akgun (Galatasaray).
