Türkiye World Cup 2026

Türkiye head to the 2026 World Cup as one of Europe's most passionate football nations, returning to the global stage for the first time since their unforgettable 2002 campaign. The Ay-Yıldızlılar (Crescent-Stars) are backed by some of the most fervent supporters in world football, capable of turning any stadium into a wall of noise. A squad rich in technical midfielders and creative wingers blends the experience of Serie A and Premier League stars with a golden generation emerging from the domestic Süper Lig. After years of agonising near-misses in qualifying, Türkiye's return feels long overdue for a football-mad country.

Türkiye ended their long exile by winning UEFA play-off Path C in March 2026 — their first World Cup since 2002. Drawn into Group D with co-hosts the United States, Australia and Paraguay, they bring a technical, creative midfield and one of the tournament's loudest travelling supports.

Vincenzo Montella favours an attacking 4-2-3-1 built around technical midfield control. Hakan Çalhanoğlu pulls the strings from deep, young stars Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız provide flair and goals, and the side presses high and attacks with width. Skilful, adventurous and fuelled by an expectant nation, Türkiye are dangerous going forward.

Türkiye's greatest World Cup moment came in 2002, when they reached the semi-finals and finished third — their best-ever result — with Hakan Şükür and İlhan Mansız capturing the imagination. They also appeared in 1954 and famously reached the 2008 European Championship semi-finals. A 24-year World Cup absence, marked by several heartbreaking qualifying near-misses, makes this return deeply significant.

At the 2002 World Cup, Hakan Şükür scored the fastest goal in tournament history — netting after just 11 seconds against South Korea in the third-place match, a record that still stands over two decades later.