Türkiye
Manager: Vincenzo Montella
A truly football-mad nation, Turkey have qualified for a third crack at the World Cup and first since finishing third in 2002. Vincenzo Montella’s talented squad battled through play-offs against Romania and Kosovo, beating both 1-0, but both their fans and neutrals will hope for a more expansive approach from a team tipped as potential dark horses. After flopping at Euros 2016 and 2020, they reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Championship and Group D looks eminently winnable. That would set up a tie with one of the best third-placed sides in the first knockout round, but life would become more difficult were they to meet Belgium in the last 16. Managing external expectations may be crucial but Turkey have the talent to win at least one match in the knockouts.
