Turkey qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in nearly a quarter-century after beating Kosovo in the European playoff, ending a long absence from the tournament. The win sent relief and excitement through the Turkish camp, and coach Vincenzo Montella's team now faces Australia, Paraguay, and the USA in a group where any team could advance to the knockout stages.
This is Turkey's first World Cup appearance since 2002, when Senol Gunes led them to the third-place finish. They beat Korea Republic in that match after losing to Brazil in the semifinals. Now, 24 years later, Montella's squad has a real chance to replicate or surpass that run.
Montella took over as Turkey coach in September 2023 after impressing with Adana Demirspor. The Italian, who started his coaching career with Roma's academy in 2009, also managed AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Sevilla before moving to Turkey. In qualification, his team finished second in their group behind Spain, racking up 17 goals across six matches but also conceding 12. When it mattered most, Montella tightened things up. Turkey won 1-0 against both Kosovo and Romania in the playoffs to secure their ticket to North America.
The squad's strength lies in its mix of youth and experience. Arda Guler, the 21-year-old Real Madrid winger, has become a fixture in Carlo Ancelotti's starting lineup with four goals and nine assists this season. His small frame hides an unstoppable talent when he gets moving. Kenan Yildiz, 20, plays as an explosive winger for Juventus and has scored 10 goals and six assists in 34 matches this season, proving crucial to Turkey's qualification push.
Ferdi Kadioglu, 26, plays left-back for Brighton and Hove Albion. The defender scored the decisive goal in Turkey's playoff semifinal against Romania, sending the team to the final which they ultimately won. Manager Fabian Hurzeler says Kadioglu "fits well into the Brighton family," and he has become a regular starter. While left-back is now his preferred position, Kadioglu can play right-back and attack from either flank when needed.
Turkey's group stage schedule begins on June 13 with a match against Australia at BC Place Vancouver. They face Paraguay on June 19 in the San Francisco Bay Area, then meet the USA on June 25 in Los Angeles. How they perform in those early games will determine whether Montella's young squad can build on their qualification success and challenge for a deep run in the tournament.
