Drawn into Group E with Spain, Georgia, and Bulgaria, Türkiye reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the UEFA playoffs after finishing second behind Spain. The Turks collected 13 points from four wins, one draw, and one defeat, a tally that sent them into the European playoff path. In the decisive rounds, they defeated Romania in the semi-final and then overcame Kosovo in the final to secure their place at the tournament.
The squad is headlined by 32-year-old midfielder and captain Hakan Calhanoglu, the team's most experienced player with 104 caps. Another marquee name is Arda Guler; at 21, the midfielder has become the face of a new generation of Turkish football and already ranks among the game's most exciting young playmakers. Forward Kenan Yildiz, who enjoyed a solid season with Juventus, adds further youthful promise. Other key players include Kaan Ayhan, Kerem Akturkoglu, Orkun Kokcu, and Ferdi Kadioglu.
Among the most notable omissions are Enes Unal, currently with Bournemouth, along with Yusuf Akcicek and Aran Simsir. Goalkeeper Berke Ozer is also absent after stepping away from the national team setup earlier this year.
Türkiye is drawn into Group D alongside the United States, Paraguay, and Australia. They open their campaign on June 14 against Australia at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, then face Paraguay on June 20 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. To close out the group stage, they make a short trip to Inglewood, California, to take on the United States on June 25 at SoFi Stadium.
Türkiye 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mert Günok (Fenerbahçe), Uğurcan Çakır (Galatasaray), Altay Bayındır (Manchester United)
Defenders: Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Brighton & Hove Albion), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli), Abdülkerim Bardakcı (Galatasaray), Zeki Çelik (AS Roma), Mert Müldür (Fenerbahçe), Çağlar Söyüncü (Fenerbahçe), Eren Elmali (Galatasaray), Ozan Kabak (TSG Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydin (Rizespor)
Midfielders: Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan), Orkun Kökçü (Beşiktaş), İsmail Yüksek (Fenerbahçe), Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray)
Forwards: Arda Güler (Real Madrid), Kenan Yıldız (Juventus), Barış Alper Yılmaz (Galatasaray), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Fenerbahçe), İrfan Can Kahveci (Kasımpaşa), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gül (FC Porto), Oǧuz Aydin (Fenerbahçe), Yunus Akgün (Galatasaray)
