Newsletters
Türkiye has been given an 80% chance of advancing to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to simulations conducted by the New York Times (NYT), as the national team prepares for its first appearance at the tournament in more than two decades.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will take place from June 11 to July 19. Türkiye qualified for the tournament, marking its first World Cup appearance since 2002.
According to NYT’s assessment, each team’s three group-stage matches were simulated hundreds of times. Based on probabilities and data gathered from betting and prediction platforms, Türkiye’s chances of progressing to the next round were estimated at 80%.
Türkiye is scheduled to play three group-stage matches during the tournament.
The national team will first face Australia on June 13, followed by Paraguay on June 19. Türkiye’s final group-stage match will come against the host nation, the United States, on June 26.
Although Türkiye made its World Cup debut in 1954, it had also qualified for the World Cup in 1950. However, the team did not travel to Brazil for the tournament because of logistical difficulties at the time.
In its first World Cup appearance in 1954, it was drawn alongside West Germany, Hungary and South Korea. Türkiye lost its opening match against West Germany before defeating South Korea, but was later eliminated after facing West Germany again under the tournament’s format at the time.
Türkiye’s most recent World Cup campaign came in 2002, ending one of the country’s most memorable football achievements.
After qualifying through the play-offs by defeating Austria, the national team finished second in a group featuring Brazil, Costa Rica and China. Türkiye then moved past Japan in the round of 16 and Senegal in the quarterfinals to reach the semifinals.
The team eventually lost 1-0 to Brazil before wrapping up the tournament with a 3-2 victory over co-host South Korea to finish in third place.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
3 min read
