Turkey has been drawn into a challenging Group E for the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers.
The draw, held in Zurich, Switzerland, determined the fate of 54 European nations vying for a spot in the expanded 48-team World Cup.
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Most groups are still incomplete as eight top-seeded teams will be placed based on the results of their Nations League quarterfinals in March.
The winner of the quarterfinal between European champion Spain and the Netherlands faces will join Group E along with Turkey, Georgia and Bulgaria.
Group E:
Spain / Netherlands
Turkey
Georgia
Bulgaria
Key Dates:
Start of Qualifiers: September 2024
World Cup: June 11 – July 19, 2026
Turkish Football’s Ambitions
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu expressed optimism about the draw, stating, “We have unfinished business with two neighboring countries and the Netherlands. It’s a balanced group, and we’ll focus on our own performance.”
National team coach Vincenzo Montella acknowledged the group’s difficulty but emphasized Turkey’s readiness to face any opponent. He noted that the absence from the World Cup for 22 years has fueled the team’s determination to qualify.
“Maybe we are in one of the most difficult groups, but we are ready for every team, it doesn’t matter the opponent. Spain is the last European champion. We withdrew Georgia, another difficult opponent, from the third bag. Bulgaria, the highest team of that bag, came from the fourth bag. But we have no excuse, maybe playing with good teams motivates the players more,” he said.
“We are a good and young team. Our players gain experience. These matches will also improve our players. 22 years is a long time, we have not participated in the World Cup for 22 years. We are ready, we want to win the group. If we can’t win the group, we want to participate in the playoffs.”
With a talented young squad and experienced coaching staff, Turkey aims to overcome the challenges and secure a place in the 2026 World Cup.
