Arda Guler headlines impressive Turkiye squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
Turkiye manager Vincenzo Montella has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Back at a FIFA World Cup for the first time since reaching the semi-finals in 2002, former Italy international striker Vincenzo Montella is in charge of an exciting Turkiye side that have now named their 26-man squad.
The star attraction has to be Arda Guler, who has been sensational for an underperforming Real Madrid side in La Liga as he matures into the player that he promised to be at UEFA EURO 2024.
Alongside Guler, though, they have another star man in Europe with Juventus’ key attacker Kenan Yildiz providing a different profile of forward for the Turks.
Those are the star attractions going forward but perhaps Turkiye’s most crucial player remains captain Hakan Calhanoglu, of Inter Milan, in an experienced midfield that boasts the likes of Kaan Ayhan, Orkun Kokcu and Salih Ozcan.
At the back, the Turks also have plenty of experience with leaders such as Merih Demiral and Caglar Soyuncu, as well full-backs Zeki Celik and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Ferdi Kadioglu.
In goal, Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir will be the understudy to 30-year-old Ugurcan Cakir and 37-year-old Mert Gunok, with the former likely to win the race to be their ‘number one’ this summer.
Alongside the likes of Guler and Yildiz, the transformation of Kerem Akturkoglu into an out and out striker helps Montella up-front with Baris Alper Yilmaz and the exciting duo of Can Uzun and Deniz Gul providing further depth.
