Turkey is returning to the World Cup after 24 years, led by Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler and a new generation that has transformed the national team’s outlook. A country that last celebrated a World Cup podium finish in 2002, when Turkey finished third in Japan and South Korea, has now gone through several generations without seeing its team on football’s biggest stage. For many of today’s players, that long absence has been part of their footballing reality. Güler, one of the brightest talents in Turkish football, has become the face of this revival. Players such as Kenan Yıldız and Can Uzun were not even born when Turkey earned its bronze medal, while captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu was only a child at the time. That context underscores how significant this qualification is for a nation of 88 million people that has long carried the memory of its 2002 success as a distant achievement. Under coach Vincenzo Montella, Turkey has steadily grown into a more competitive and confident side. Montella, who played in the 2002 World Cup for Italy, has trusted younger players and the approach has paid off. Turkey’s progress has been especially visible in the development of Güler, who first emerged as a teenage sensation at Fenerbahçe and has continued to rise at Real Madrid. His performances in Spain, where he has earned regular starts and was recognized as a breakout player in the recently concluded Champions League, have elevated his status further. For Turkey, he is now much more than a promising talent; he is the undisputed leader of the team. Güler’s output for his country is already impressive for his age, with six goals in 30 appearances at just 21 years old. His rise has mirrored Turkey’s own progression. If Euro 2024 showed that the team had real potential, the road to the World Cup has confirmed it. Montella’s side has been in strong form over the past year and has lost only to Spain, a record that reflects both stability and growing ambition. Turkey believe they can compete in the knockout rounds once they reach the tournament, where unpredictability often defines the outcome. Memories of 2002 remain powerful, when Turkey stunned hosts Japan and eliminated Senegal on the way to third place. Before any repeat of that kind of run, however, Turkey must first overcome Australia, a team that continues to improve at World Cups and features goalkeeper Mat Ryan as one of its key figures.
