Turkey builds youthful squad for World Cup challenge in Group D
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 3:00 PM
Last updated Jun 11, 2026
The Turkey national soccer team, led by coach Vincenzo Montella, is preparing for the World Cup in Group D. The squad stands out with a youthful midfield featuring talents like Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz. Despite past criticisms of being 'dark horses,' Turkey is viewed as a contender, with its latest roster being one of the strongest in years. The team faces tough competition from Australia, the US, and Paraguay, but defensive weaknesses remain a concern as they seek to recapture their past success.
- •Vincenzo Montella coaches a youthful Turkish squad for the World Cup.
- •Key players include Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.
- •Turkey aims to overcome a history of being labeled 'dark horses.'
- •The team faces Australia, the US, and Paraguay in Group D.
- •Defensive concerns could affect Turkey's World Cup aspirations.
- 3:00 PMThe Guardian Sport — World Cup Group D view from Turkey: young team can shake off ‘dark horses’ tag | Emre Sarigul
"Australia, the US and Paraguay will have their work cut out to match the Crescent Stars’ young midfield but a shaky defence is a genuine concern Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella has been building one of the nation’s strongest teams in living memory. A youth-driven squad with two genuine stars – Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz – several players were not even born when the Crescent Stars last qualified for a World Cup and finished third in 2002. In past tournaments, Turkey were often labelled as “dark horses” – which turned out to be more of a curse than a blessing. This time, Montella has constructed a squad that sits among those on the rung below heavyweights Spain, France and Argentina. Continue reading...
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