Vincenzo Montella has announced a 35-man preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, where Türkiye will face Australia, Paraguay, and co-hosts USA in Group D. The Italian tactician now faces difficult decisions over the coming weeks, as he must whittle the roster down to 26 players by the 2 June deadline.
For Türkiye, returning to the World Cup after a 24-year absence (their last appearance was in 2002, where they famously finished third) is already an achievement. But Montella and his players want more specifically, a knockout-stage berth that would galvanize a passionate football nation.
Here is the Türkiye extended (35-man) preliminary squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, organized into four clear tables by position: Goalkeepers, Defenders, Midfielders, and Forwards.
Goalkeepers
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Altay Bayındır | Manchester United |
| Ersin Destanoğlu | Beşiktaş |
| Mert Günok | Beşiktaş |
| Muhammed Şengezer | İstanbul Başakşehir |
| Uğurcan Çakır | Trabzonspor |
Defenders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Abdülkerim Bardakcı | Galatasaray |
| Ahmetcan Kaplan | Ajax |
| Çağlar Söyüncü | Atlético Madrid |
| Eren Elmalı | Trabzonspor |
| Ferdi Kadıoğlu | Fenerbahçe |
| Merih Demiral | Al-Ahli |
| Mert Müldür | Fenerbahçe |
| Mustafa Eskihellaç | Bandırmaspor |
| Ozan Kabak | Hoffenheim |
| Samet Akaydin | Fenerbahçe |
| Yusuf Akçiçek | Fenerbahçe |
| Zeki Çelik | Roma |
Midfielders
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Atakan Karazor | VfB Stuttgart |
| Demir Ege Tıknaz | Beşiktaş |
| Hakan Çalhanoğlu | Inter Milan |
| İsmail Yüksek | Fenerbahçe |
| Kaan Ayhan | Galatasaray |
| Orkun Kökçü | Benfica |
| Salih Özcan | Borussia Dortmund |
Forwards
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Aral Şimşir | Midtjylland |
| Arda Güler | Real Madrid |
| Barış Alper Yılmaz | Galatasaray |
| Can Uzun | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Deniz Gül | Porto |
| İrfan Can Kahveci | Fenerbahçe |
| Kenan Yıldız | Juventus |
| Kerem Aktürkoğlu | Benfica |
| Oğuz Aydın | Alanyaspor |
| Yunus Akgün | Galatasaray |
| Yusuf Sarı | Rizespor |
Attacking Riches: Güler, Yıldız Headline Impressive Options
Türkiye’s attacking options are, without question, the envy of many larger nations. The preliminary line-up features an extraordinary collection of young, dynamic forwards and creative wide players.
Arda Güler (Real Madrid) – Now 21, Güler has evolved from a promising talent into a genuine difference-maker at the Bernabéu. His left-footed magic, dribbling in tight spaces, and ability to score from outside the box make him Türkiye’s most dangerous weapon.
Kenan Yıldız (Juventus) – At just 21 as well, Yıldız has broken into Juventus’s first team and brings direct running, composure, and a growing goal threat. His ability to play across the front line gives Montella tactical flexibility.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu – Coming off a stellar Süper Lig season, the winger is known for his blistering pace, work rate, and knack for cutting inside onto his stronger foot. He has become a reliable creator for the national team.
Barış Alper Yılmaz – Another Süper Lig standout, Yılmaz combines physical power with surprising technical quality. His versatility allows him to play as a winger, second striker, or even emergency full-back.
Beyond these four, Montella’s preliminary squad also includes experienced forwards and emerging talents who will fight for the final spots. (Source: fifa.com)
Group D: A Wide-Open Battle
| Opponent | Strengths | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Physicality, set-piece threat, defensive organization | Lack of elite creativity in midfield |
| Paraguay | Aggressive pressing, athleticism, counter-attacking speed | Defensive discipline; can be drawn out of shape |
| USA | Home crowd, pace on the flanks, Pulisic’s individual brilliance | Relative inexperience in knockout pressure |
Midfield: The Engine Room
While the attack grabs headlines, Türkiye’s midfield will determine how far they go. Montella has selected a balanced mix of destroyers, deep-lying playmakers, and box-to-box runners. Key names include:
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan) – The captain and midfield metronome. His set-piece delivery, long-range shooting, and ability to dictate tempo are irreplaceable.
- Orkun Kökçü (Benfica) – A elegant passer who thrives in progressive possession. Can play as a No. 8 or No. 10.
- İsmail Yüksek (Fenerbahçe) – A defensive shield who breaks up play and protects the back four.
- Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund) – Physical, combative, and tactically disciplined—ideal for tougher group matches.
Montella must decide whether to deploy a double-pivot (Çalhanoğlu alongside Yüksek) or a more aggressive setup with Kökçü as a roaming playmaker.
Defense: Experience Needed
Türkiye’s defense is the area with the most question marks. The preliminary squad includes a mix of veterans and unproven youngsters:
- Çağlar Söyüncü (Atlético Madrid) – When fit, he is a commanding, ball-playing center-back. Injuries have disrupted his rhythm, but his quality is unquestioned.
- Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli) – Aggressive, physical, and strong in the air. Prone to occasional lapses but a warrior in duels.
- Ferdi Kadıoğlu (Fenerbahçe) – Operates primarily as a left-back but can play on the right or in midfield. His technical security and overlapping runs are vital.
- Mert Müldür (Fenerbahçe) – Reliable defensively and offers a steady presence at right-back.
Montella’s biggest challenge will be ensuring defensive cohesion, especially against USA’s pace on the counter and Paraguay’s direct attacks.
Goalkeeping: Competition for the Gloves
Montella has called up three goalkeepers in the preliminary squad, but the starting spot remains genuinely contested:
- Altay Bayındır (Manchester United) – The natural heir, but limited club minutes this season raise questions about match sharpness.
- Uğurcan Çakır (Trabzonspor) – Consistent performer in the Süper Lig; excellent shot-stopper with good reflexes.
- Mert Günok (Beşiktaş) – Experienced veteran who provides leadership and calmness.
Bayındır remains the favorite if fully fit, but Çakır has strong claims based on form.
The Tactical Puzzle: How Will Montella Set Up?
Montella has shown tactical flexibility during qualifying, shifting between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-3-3. Against Australia and Paraguay, Türkiye will likely take the initiative. Against the USA—with the crowd behind the co-hosts—a more cautious, counter-attacking approach may be wise.
Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Bayındır
- RB: Müldür
- CB: Söyüncü
- CB: Demiral
- LB: Kadıoğlu
- DM: Yüksek
- CM: Çalhanoğlu (captain)
- RW: Aktürkoğlu
- AM: Güler
- LW: Yıldız
- ST: Yılmaz or veteran forward
Montella’s Dilemma: Who Gets Cut?
With nine players to drop from the preliminary 35, Montella faces agonizing choices. Likely cuts will come from:
- Fourth-choice goalkeeper (only three will travel)
- Young, uncapped players not yet ready for tournament pressure
- Players recovering from late-season injuries
- Attackers (given the embarrassment of riches, some talented forwards will be left heartbroken)
The Stakes for Turkish Football
For Türkiye, this World Cup represents a chance to rekindle the spirit of 2002, when a young, fearless squad captured the world’s imagination and finished third. That team included future legends like Hakan Şükür, Rüştü Reçber, and Emre Belözoğlu. The 2026 squad led by Güler, Yıldız, and Çalhanoğlu has similar potential.
A strong performance in North America would:
- Elevate Turkish football’s global standing
- Inspire a new generation of young players
- Provide a platform for Montella to build toward Euro 2028
Türkiye 2026 Dünya Kupası Kadrosu
“ABD, Kanada ve Meksika’nın ortak ev sahipliğinde, 11 Haziran – 19 Temmuz tarihleri arasında düzenlenecek 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası’nda mücadele edecek A Millî Takımımızın geniş kadrosu açıklandı. #BizimÇocuklar 🇹🇷”
With electrifying young talent, a battle-hardened coach in Montella, and a group stage that offers genuine opportunity, Türkiye has every reason to dream. The next few weeks will determine which 26 players earn the right to represent the Crescent-Stars on football’s biggest stage. But one thing is already clear: Türkiye will not be in North America just to make up the numbers.
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