Arda Güler called up to Turkey squad

Türkiye confirmed Arda Güler’s place in its final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, completing the reduction from the provisional group announced in May. The announcement was made through the Turkish national team’s official X account, according to Turkish media and football outlets reporting the final list. (turkiyetoday.com) Arda Güler had already been part of Vincenzo Montella’s 35-man preliminary squad published on May 18, when FIFA said the Real Madrid midfielder and Kenan Yıldız were among the standout attacking names in the group. (fifa.com) Tuesday’s confirmation settled his place in the final party for Türkiye’s first men’s World Cup appearance since 2002. (fifa.com) Social media posts around the announcement spread quickly on Tuesday. Galatasaray posted support for Turkish players heading to the tournament, while Madrid-focused football accounts also highlighted Güler’s inclusion. Those posts echoed the federation-backed confirmation rather than introducing a separate selection process. (turkiyetoday.com) ### How did Güler’s place become official on Tuesday? Tuesday’s update concerned Türkiye’s final 26-man World Cup squad, not the earlier provisional list. FIFA had reported on May 18 that Montella named a 35-man preliminary squad that still had to be cut before the tournament. (fifa.com) Türkiye’s final list, reported Tuesday, kept Güler in the squad after those cuts. Turkish outlet Türkiye Today said nine players were removed from the provisional group before the final roster was published through the national team’s official X account. ### Was Güler already expected to make the squad? (turkiyetoday.com) FIFA had already placed Güler among the most prominent names in Türkiye’s preliminary selection on May 18. A separate FIFA profile published in April described him as one of the most exciting under-21 players expected at the tournament. Flashscore’s report on the final squad on Tuesday also presented Güler and Yıldız as the headline names in Montella’s roster. (fifa.com) That reflected the role both players have come to occupy in coverage of Türkiye’s return to the finals. ### Why is this squad announcement getting extra attention? (turkiyetoday.com) Türkiye are returning to the men’s World Cup after a 24-year absence, which has made each squad step more prominent than it would be for a regular qualifier. FIFA’s team coverage and multiple reports on Tuesday framed the selection in that context. Arda Güler also carries added attention because of his club profile at Real Madrid and his age. (fifa.com) FIFA’s April feature singled him out as a World Cup “wonderkid,” making his final inclusion one of the most closely watched individual decisions in Montella’s selection. (flashscore.com) ### What does Türkiye’s World Cup path look like now? FIFA lists Türkiye in Group D with Australia, Paraguay and co-hosts the United States. The group-stage schedule published by FIFA shows Türkiye opening against Australia in Vancouver on June 14, then facing Paraguay on June 19 and the United States on June 25. (fifa.com) Those fixtures mean Tuesday’s squad confirmation closes one of the last formal steps before tournament play begins. With the final 26 now set, Montella’s next named milestone is the Group D opener against Australia at BC Place in Vancouver on June 14, according to FIFA’s schedule. (fifa.com 1) (fifa.com 2) (fifa.com 3)