Head coach Vincenzo Montella remains confident that his team will qualify for the World Cup as the play-off stage approaches.

m88worldcups.com – On the evening of 7 September 2025, Turkish football was engulfed in crisis after the national team suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers, a result that appeared to shatter their dreams of qualification.

Coach Vincenzo Montella faced difficult questions, with headlines describing the team’s performance as a “disaster” and “humiliating,” which was still considered mild compared to other media commentary.

Four months later, optimism has returned. Montella managed to stabilize the team, and the prospect of qualifying for the World Cup now seems realistic.

This shift in mood is easily understandable when considering Turkey’s performance at EURO 2024, which made fans believe they could compete with major footballing nations. There was even talk of a “golden generation.”

However, these high hopes were dealt a severe blow when facing Spain in Istanbul, creating pressure on Montella regarding his selection and tactical decisions.

Nevertheless, that failure strengthened the team’s resolve, a development welcomed positively by both fans and the Turkish media.

Montella took full responsibility for the defeat against the European champions and cautioned against making “hasty and final judgments” about Turkey.

His instincts proved correct, as the team responded strongly in the following match, defeating Bulgaria 6-1. Since then, Turkey has remained unbeaten in qualification.

After convincing wins over Georgia and Bulgaria, the resurgent team faced a crucial test in Seville.

With a goal difference of 14, their mathematical chance of topping the group was slim, but they remained determined to prevent Spain from claiming maximum points. Their 2-2 draw triggered media coverage in Turkey describing a “revival in Seville.”

“The spirit of my team is even more satisfying than today’s result,” Montella said with relief. His decision to rotate the squad actively (he has used 28 different players), including many young talents, has often drawn criticism.

Optimism Ahead of the European Play-Offs

The atmosphere leading into the European play-offs in March is now filled with cautious optimism, but there is also a tangible sense of excitement.

A combination of years of difficulty (Turkey last qualified for the World Cup in 2002) and belief in a developing team has created a highly charged emotional environment.

If Turkey succeeds in qualifying for the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, a major celebration is likely. Conversely, failure could result in deep disappointment.

Dortmund veteran Salih Ozcan emphasized the team’s ambition: “We believe in ourselves, and our goal remains to qualify for the World Cup. After this match [against Spain], every nation will likely respect us.”

For now, only three teams need to pay attention to this message. Turkey will face Romania in the play-off semi-final on 26 March, and if successful, will play the winner between Slovakia and Kosovo five days later.

Young Talents Ready to Make an Impact

During this crucial period, several young stars need to prove their ability to handle responsibility.

Arda Guler, regarded as a “wonderkid” of Turkish football, possesses the skills to change the game thanks to his extraordinary technique and creativity.

His midfield partners are Hakan Calhanoglu and Ozcan, both of whom have extensive experience in high-level knockout matches, such as in the UEFA Champions League.

Kenan Yildiz is another promising prospect expected to score many goals for the Turkish national team in the future.

Praised for his agility and ball mastery, he can operate as a lone striker or as a supporting forward.

The forward line is full of talent, and in terms of individual quality, this area appears to be the squad’s strongest asset.

Montella is confident in his team’s capabilities: “We have two finals coming up, and we are taking every step gradually toward our goal. We will qualify for the World Cup.”

If successful, Turkey will compete in a group featuring hosts the United States, Australia, and Paraguay.