Eliminated: Turkey at the 2026 World Cup
Turkey have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following one of the tournament's most shocking exits — recording 62 shots across two matches without scoring a single goal.
Post-Elimination Analysis
Turkey entered Group D as dark horses with genuine quality in Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz. A 2-0 loss to Australia was followed by a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay — the most shots without a goal by any team in a World Cup since 1966. Güler issued a public apology to Turkish fans following the exit. The performance will be studied by analysts for years as a cautionary tale about conversion efficiency.
Players to Watch
Arda Güler was expected to be one of the tournament's breakout stars but was unable to find the net despite creating chances. The squad's collective failure in front of goal defined their campaign.
World Cup History
Turkey's best World Cup finish was third place in 2002 in South Korea/Japan, where they won the third-place playoff against the host nation. This 2026 exit is a painful contrast to that achievement.
Group D Overview
Turkey is drawn in Group D alongside: United States, Paraguay, Australia.
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