Turkiye have moved from qualification talk into squad talk for World Cup 2026. This page tracks the announced squad status as of May 20, 2026, the key names, group-stage fixtures and the selection questions that matter before kickoff.
Turkiye squad status
| Squad detail | Current status |
|---|---|
| Team | Turkiye |
| Coach | Vincenzo Montella |
| Announcement status | Turkiye named a 35-player preliminary squad on 18 May 2026. |
| Group | Group D with USA, Australia and Paraguay |
| Final FIFA list note | National announcements can still change before FIFA confirms final squad lists around 2 June 2026. |
Key squad story
Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz are the headline young creators.
Hakan Calhanoglu, Orkun Kokcu and Ismail Yuksek give the midfield passing quality and structure.
The list is extended and must be reduced from 35 to 26 before final confirmation.
Full announced squad list
- Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Ersin Destanoglu, Mert Gunok, Muhammed Sengezer, Ugurcan Cakir
- Defenders include Abdulkerim Bardakci, Ahmetcan Kaplan, Caglar Soyuncu, Ferdi Kadioglu, Merih Demiral, Mert Muldur and Zeki Celik
- Midfielders include Atakan Karazor, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismail Yuksek, Kaan Ayhan, Orkun Kokcu and Salih Ozcan
- Forwards include Arda Guler, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Can Uzun, Kenan Yildiz, Kerem Akturkoglu and Yunus Akgun
The biggest thing to watch is role clarity. A World Cup squad is not only a list of famous players: it is a minutes plan. Starters, penalty takers, set-piece takers, late substitutes, reserve goalkeepers and defensive cover all affect how far a team can go.
Group-stage fixtures
- 13 June: Australia v Turkiye - BC Place Vancouver
- 19 June: Turkiye v Paraguay - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
- 25 June: Turkiye v USA - Los Angeles Stadium
Turkiye need enough points across those three matches to finish in the top two or compete strongly in the third-place race. The 48-team format gives more teams a route into the knockouts, but it also makes goal difference and late substitutions more important.
Fantasy, betting and player-watch angle
For fantasy football, the best picks are not always the most famous names. Minutes, penalty duty, clean-sheet probability, set pieces and group strength should decide the shortlist. For betting research, check licensed markets in your country and compare team progress odds with player markets before backing top scorer or award prices.
What can still change
- Injury replacements can alter the final list before the first match.
- A preliminary or expanded squad has to be cut to the permitted final size.
- Club form and late fitness tests can change the starting XI even when the squad list is known.
- Tournament roles can change after the first match if a team needs more control, pace or height.
