Turkish manager relies on experience for extravaganza

Published June 3, 2026 Updated June 3, 2026 07:03am

ANKARA: Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella named his World Cup squad on Tuesday, selecting the experienced Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, Kerem Akturkoglu and Baris Alper Yilmaz, to lead the side.

Sporting Braga midfielder Demir Ege Tiknaz was left out, with Montella opting for Galatasarays Kaan Ayhan and Borussia Dortmunds Salih Ozcan.

In attack, Danish league Player of the Season Aral Simsir was left out, but Irfan Can Kahveci was included.

Turkey are in World Cup Group ‘D’ and will play Australia in their opening match before facing Paraguay and co-hosts the US.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Mert Gunok, Ugurcan Cakir

Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakci, Caglar Soyuncu, Eren Elmali, Ferdi Kadioglu, Merih Demiral, Mert Muldur, Ozan Kabak, Samet Akaydin, Zeki Celik

Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismail Yuksek, Kaan Ayhan, Orkun Kokcu, Salih Ozcan

Strikers: Arda Guler, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Can Uzun, Deniz Gul, Irfan Can Kahveci, Kenan Yildiz, Kerem Akturkoglu, Oguz Aydin, Yunus Akgun.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026

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