Turkey hasn’t played in a FIFA World Cup since 2002, when the Crescent Stars stunned the planet with a third-place finish. Now they’re back, and their squad is so young that several players weren’t even born the last time the country qualified.
For crypto markets, the 24-year drought ending matters more than you’d think. Turkish club fan tokens for Galatasaray (GAL), Trabzonspor (TRA), and Fenerbahçe (FB) have historically reacted to on-field results, and a deep tournament run by the national team could inject fresh energy into an asset class that’s been searching for a catalyst.
A squad built around teenage prodigies
Arda Güler, who plays for Real Madrid, and Kenan Yıldız, who suits up for Juventus, anchor the attack. The provisional 35-man squad was announced in May 2026, with a final 26-player roster confirmed in early June. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, the Inter Milan midfielder, provides the kind of experience that keeps a young team from imploding under World Cup pressure.
Turkey lands in Group D alongside Australia, the United States, and Paraguay.
