Turkey
World Cup 2026 Group D — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The Çalhanoğlu conundrum
Hakan Çalhanoğlu anchors Turkey's midfield at 32, fresh off a Champions League-winning season with Inter Milan. His set-piece mastery (12 goals in 84 caps) clashes with a tendency to disappear in big games. Manager Vincenzo Montella must decide whether to deploy him as a regista or advanced playmaker against Portugal's press. The supporting cast leans on Juventus' Kenan Yıldız (19) and Roma's Zeki Çelik - a mix of youth and experience that hasn't yet clicked in qualifying.
Group F's counterattack buffet
Turkey faces three teams vulnerable to transitions. Portugal's high line under Martínez, South Korea's aggressive fullbacks, and Paraguay's aging center-backs all suit Arda Güler's through balls. The 19-year-old Real Madrid prospect could be Turkey's wildcard if recovered from thigh injuries. Montella used a 3-4-3 in qualifying, but may switch to a 4-2-3-1 to exploit Güler's creativity between the lines. Their opener against Paraguay in Vancouver is must-win before facing Portugal's firepower.
Istanbul's ghosts and Texas heat
Turkey's last World Cup memory is a 3-2 loss to Brazil in 2002's semifinal - a match defined by Rüştü Reçber's saves and Hakan Şükür's record 11-second goal. Current captain Çağlar Söyüncü was five years old then. Now they'll play two group games in Dallas' 38°C June heat, where fitness trumps tactics. The squad lacks 2002's physicality (Şükür, Emre Belözoğlu) but has better technical depth. Their 3-0 win over Germany in 2023 hints at giant-killing potential.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group D hub →
Group standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Paraguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Turkey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  United States | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia vs TurkeyBC Place | Sun, Jun 14, 2026 · 05:00 ET | d | – | Scheduled |
| Turkey vs ParaguayEstadio San Francisco Bay Area | Sat, Jun 20, 2026 · 04:00 ET | d | – | Scheduled |
| Turkey vs United StatesEstadio Los Angeles | Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 03:00 ET | d | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
When was Turkey's last World Cup appearance?+
2002, where they finished third after beating South Korea in the playoff.
Who is Turkey's all-time top scorer at World Cups?+
Hakan Şükür with 3 goals, all scored during the 2002 tournament.
Which venues will Turkey play at in 2026?+
BC Place (Vancouver), Cotton Bowl (Dallas), and MetLife Stadium (New Jersey).
How did Turkey qualify for 2026?+
Finished second in UEFA Group D behind Croatia, losing just once in 10 games.
Who is Turkey's most capped active player?+
Hakan Çalhanoğlu with 84 appearances as of June 2024.