As the final whistle sounded in the play-off against Kosovo, a wave of relief and elation swept through the Turkish ranks – for the first time in 24 years, the European nation will be travelling to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
The final competition in North America will be only the Turks’ third taste of the biggest stage of all. The last time was in 2002, when Senol Gunes’ charges were beaten in the semi-finals by eventual world champions Brazil before seeing off co-hosts Korea Republic in the match for third place.
Türkiye coach: Vincenzo Montella
Vincenzo Montella was appointed in September 2023, becoming the fourth Italian to coach Türkiye. As a player, the former striker was capped 20 times by Italy and scored 141 goals in 286 Serie A matches, lifting the Scudetto in 2001 with Roma.
Montella began his coaching career in the Romans’ academy in 2009 before becoming head coach two years later. He later joined Adana Demirspor after spells with AC Milan, Fiorentina and Sevilla, making such an impression that he succeeded Stefan Kuntz as Türkiye head coach two years later. Montella is well integrated and well respected by the fans: “I feel like a Turk and think like a Turk,” he says.
Türkiye’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and group
Full World Cup 2026 match schedule
How Türkiye qualified for World Cup 2026
Türkiye finished second behind Spain in their qualifying group with four wins, one draw and one defeat, although their solitary loss was a crushing 6-0 home defeat by the Spaniards. Seventeen goals in six games underlined the Turks’ attacking qualities, but 12 goals conceded at the other end also showed where the team’s weaknesses lay.
Montella tweaked his system for the play-offs, however, and guided his charges to 1-0 victories over Romania and Kosovo. Young stars Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz tend to dominate the headlines, but Ferdi Kadioglu and Orkun Kokcu are also key cogs in this Turkish team.
Türkiye’s World Cup history
Türkiye’s best World Cup
In 2002 – 48 years after their first and until then only World Cup appearance – the Turks slipped to a slender 2-1 defeat by Brazil in their opening match and found themselves with their backs to the wall after following that up with a 1-1 draw with Costa Rica. They sealed their place in the round of 16, however, with a comfortable 3-0 win over China PR, and then defeated co-hosts Japan in the last 16 thanks to a header from Umit Davala.
The quarter-final clash with Senegal proved to be even more dramatic, with Ilhan Mansiz scoring the only goal of the game – a golden goal early in extra time – to send Türkiye into the last four.
In the semi-final, the Turks had the better of the opening exchanges against Brazil but were unable to convert any of their chances. Shortly after the break, they fell behind to a strike from Ronaldo and were unable to muster a response.
In the match for third place against Korea Republic, Hakan Sukur gave the Turks the lead in the very first minute. After the Koreans equalised, two goals from Mansiz set them on course for victory, and the co-hosts’ late consolation effort did nothing to change that.
Türkiye’s first World Cup
Türkiye qualified for the World Cup in 1950, but withdrew from the tournament. They made their debut four years later, but there was also a little bit of luck involved. The Turks finished level with Spain on points in the qualifiers, and after a play-off match also failed to separate the two teams, the 14-year-old son of a stadium employee was left to draw lots – and as luck would have it, he drew the ticket with “Turkey” on it.
At the World Cup, the team coached by Italian Sandro Puppo lost 4-1 to eventual world champions West Germany in their first group match despite taking an early lead. The second group match brought a 7-0 win over Korea Republic, with Burhan Sargun bagging a hat-trick. Puppo’s men finished level in the group standings with the West Germans, who prevailed 7-2 in the decisive play-off.
Türkiye’s last World Cup
Türkiye have not taken part in a World Cup since 2002, when they finished third.
Türkiye’s World Cup top scorers
Suat Mamat, Burhan Sargun and Ilhan Mansiz all have three World Cup goals to their name. Mamat and Sargun both scored three times in 1954, and Mansiz followed suit in 2002.
Türkiye’s record World Cup appearance makers
Fatih Akyel, Yildiray Basturk, Umit Davala, Tugay Kerimoglu, Ilhan Mansiz, Rustu Recber and Hakan Sukur all played seven games at the 2002 World Cup, making them Türkiye’s record World Cup appearance makers. In theory, their record could be broken in North America, but it would require a phenomenal run from the Turks – all 2026 semi-finalists will play eight matches.
Türkiye’s memorable World Cup moments
The match for third place at the 2002 World Cup is fondly memorable in Türkiye, not only because of their side’s victory over Korea Republic, but above all because of Hakan Sukur’s record-breaking goal. The World Cup had largely passed Kral (Sukur) by until then, as he had not capitalised on any of the chances that had come his way.
That would all change after just 11 seconds of the match for third place, however. Mansiz dispossessed Korean libero Hong Myungbo straight from kick-off and fed Sukur, who calmly slotted the ball past Korean keeper Lee Woonjae to open the scoring, to this day the fastest goal in World Cup history.
Türkiye’s biggest World Cup win
The 1954 World Cup was one of the highest scoring competitions ever, which included 9-0 and 8-3 victories for Hungary against Korea Republic and West Germany respectively, as well as Uruguay’s 7-0 win over Scotland and Austria’s epic 7-5 triumph over hosts Switzerland.
Türkiye got in on the act with a 7-0 victory over Korea Republic in the group stage. Burhan Sargun netted a hat-trick while Suat Mamat scored a brace, with Lefter Kucukandonyadis and Erol Keskin also getting on the scoresheet.
