The Turkish national team at the 2026 World Cup: A highly anticipated return after a long absence

In a long-awaited and historic moment, the Turkish national football team officially secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking its return to the world's biggest football tournament after a 24-year absence. This qualification represents the third appearance in the history of the "Stars of Anatolia" and opens a new chapter of ambition for this generation, which hopes to replicate past achievements. Football fans the Turkish team's performance in the 2026 World Cup eagerly

A journey through time... from debut to Korean-Japanese glory

Turkey's first World Cup appearance dates back to the 1954 edition held in Switzerland, marking their debut on the global stage. Despite the team's elimination in the first round, that participation laid the foundation for Turkish football history. However, the most cherished memories for Turkish fans are inextricably linked to the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Back then, the golden generation, led by coach Şenol Güneş, delivered a legendary performance, boasting stars like Hakan Şükür, Rüştü Reçber, and Hasan Şaş. The Turkish national team steadily progressed through the knockout stages, achieving a historic feat by finishing third – one of the tournament's most remarkable and inspiring surprises.

The wait is over: How did the Turkish national team make a comeback in the 2026 World Cup?

Following their 2002 triumph, Turkish football entered a period of absence from the World Cup, with the national team failing to qualify for five consecutive editions, despite coming close on several occasions. This extended absence intensified the passion of fans and their desire to see their national team compete once again at the highest level. Qualifying for the 2026 edition, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, represents the culmination of efforts by a new generation of talented players under astute coaching. The team demonstrated remarkable improvement during the qualifiers, showcasing a modern style of football that relies on teamwork and the individual skills of its players, many of whom ply their trade in major European leagues.

Montella's squad: A mix of experience and youth to face the big names

Italian coach Vincenzo Montella announced his official 26-man squad for the World Cup, a mix of experienced players and promising young talents. Montella aims to build a competitive team capable of facing the world's strongest sides with this selection. The squad is as follows:

• Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Mert Gunok, and Ugurcan Shakir.
• Defense line: Abdulkarim Bardakci, Ahmet Can Kaplan, Caglar Soyuncu, Ferid Kadioglu, Merih Demiral, Mert Muldur, Samet Akaydin, and Zeki Celik.
• Midfielders: Arda Guler, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismail Yuksek, Kaan Ayhan, Orkun Kocucu, and Salih Ozcan.
• Forwards: Barış Alper Yılmaz, Deniz Gül, İrvan Can Kahveci, Oğuz Aydın, Kenan Yıldız, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Yunus Akgün, Can Uzun, and Yusuf Sarı.

The Turkish national team, led by Montella and its stars, hopes to regain its strong presence on the world stage and repeat the achievement of the 2002 edition. With talents like Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Arda Güler, Turkish fans are looking forward to their team leaving a distinctive mark in the 2026 World Cup, and proving that this return was not just a coincidence, but the beginning of a new era of brilliance.