Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Turkey

Get the lowdown on every team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we examine Euro 2022 quarter-finalists Turkey.

What can I expect from Turkey?

Turkey are priced at 100/1 outsiders to win this World Cup with most bookmakers, which underlines their status as perennial 'dark horses' for any major tournament they enter.

The underdog tag will suit them this time and although they required the play-offs to qualify, they will quietly fancy themselves as the best team in Group D.

Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella says he is now "Turkish at heart" and has crafted a high-pressing, streetwise team.

His 4-2-3-1 formation is designed to get the best from his star duo – Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.

Real Madrid star Guler will be given licence to roam and Juventus forward Yildiz will dart inside from the left flank. Inter playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu will add class and control in midfield.

The knock-out stages should be the minimum target.

What are Turkey's strengths?

In Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz they possess two match-winners that would arguably grace most sides in the tournament.

Their relentless, high-pressing game can overwhelm lesser opposition and they are very capable of controlling possession, which could prove useful in the intense heat.

Many of this team have already experienced tournament football at Euro 2022 and they are tactically flexible - a more defence-minded 5-4-1 formation could be deployed if they come up against one of the big boys.

And what about their weaknesses?

Their defence is not exactly water-tight and they are often over reliant on their excellent goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Their high defensive line is key to how they want to play but it can be exposed and they are susceptible to counter attacks.

They lack a proven striker. Porto's 6ft 4in centre forward Deniz Gul has potential, but it not ready to lead the line, while left winger Kerem Akturkoglu filled the void admirably during qualifying.

How might Turkey line up?

Which players should I look out for?

Juventus star Kenan Yildiz was joint-top scorer in qualifying with three goals and he completed an average of 3.5 dribbles per game; only Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (4.1) and Jeremy Doku (6.6) had a better average among those to play for more than 500 minutes.

The outrageously talented Arda Guler is adored by Turkey's fans and is fast developing into one of the world's best midfielders. He found the net from inside his own half for Real Madrid this season and was integral to their qualification, with one goal and four assists.

Brighton fans are familiar with Ferdi Kadioglu's marauding runs from left back and the right-footer enjoys similar freedom in this side. He was also the only player to feature in all eight qualifiers.

Who is Turkey's head coach?

Ex-Italy striker Vicenzo Montella is closing in on three years in charge and is the first foreign boss to take Turkey to back-to-back major tournaments.

His side reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2022 and he is will celebrate his 52nd birthday just two days before Turkey's second Group D match against Paraguay.

The tactician had a brief spell as a player with Fulham in 2007 and is known as the little airplane because of his trademark goal celebration.

How did Turkey qualify?

They finished three points behind European champions Spain in their qualifying group and then edged past Romania and lastly Kosovo in the play-offs.

Where can I watch Turkey?

All of Turkey's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!

Give me a fact to impress my friends

The nation's all-time top goalscorer lives in political exile in the USA.

Hakan Suker scored 51 goals for Turkey between 1992 and 2007, but left for San Francisco in 2016 after he was accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

Suker denies the accusations but his achievements have largely been erased from public record and it was reported that during the 2022 World Cup a Turkish commentator was replaced at half-time for simply mentioning his name.

Now give me some proper detail

Turkey's fans have been starved of global success for a generation. It is almost ironic then that two generational talents have propelled them back into the big time after 24 years away.

Real Madrid's Arda Guler and Juventus' Kenan Yildiz, both 21, were not yet born when the likes of Tugay, Hasan Sas and Hakan Suker made history by reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2002.

Attacking midfielder Guler and left-sided forward Yildiz have notched a combined 48 goals and assists for club and country this season and if this side are to emulate the class of '02's third-place finish in Japan and South Korea, then both will be heavily involved.

Unlike Guler and Yildiz, one man who does remember the 2002 World Cup is head coach Vincenzo Montella. The former striker was in the star-studded Italy side that crashed out in controversial fashion to co-hosts South Korea at the round of 16 stage. He will expect his Turkey side to at least emulate his achievements this summer.

Ex-Fulham forward Montella deserves recognition for constructing a team in his own mould – stylish, passionate and prolific in front of goal. Turkey have only failed to find the net twice in their past 14 matches and they produced 17 goals in six qualifying group fixtures.

"I may be a foreigner, but just being part of all this makes me so proud," said the Italian in the aftermath of sealing qualification. "I'm now Turkish at heart."

How have Turkey done at previous World Cups?

Their otherwise undistinguished World Cup record is elevated by a third-place finish in 2002.

Turkey won 1-0 in the knockout phase against both Japan and Senegal, lost by the same score to Brazil in the semi-finals and then beat co-hosts South Korea in the play-off for third.