The stage is set. Mauricio Pochettino and his United States squad know exactly what is required this summer.
Turkey beat Kosovo 1-0 to book their place at the World Cup, rounding out Group D alongside the USMNT, Paraguay and Australia.
So, what should we expect from Turkey when they face the co-hosts on June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium? How do they play? And who are the stars to watch?
Games in: Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Calif., Seattle, Vancouver, Canada
How did they qualify?
After being drawn into the same qualification group as Spain, the play-offs were always going to be Turkey’s most likely route to the World Cup.
Turkey were solid in Group E, only dropping points against Spain to finish second and set up a play-off semi-final against Romania in Istanbul. In a game short of quality, Arda Guler’s moment of magic inspired a 1-0 win, sending Turkey through to a final in Kosovo.
Sitting 55 places higher in FIFA’s rankings, Turkey may have been considered favourites against Kosovo, but had to contend with an intense home support at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium.
However, Vincenzo Montella’s team had greater experience and depth than their opponents, and it was enough to steer them through.
What is their World Cup pedigree?
Turkey’s third-placed finish at the 2002 World Cup was supposed to act as a springboard for them to feature regularly on international football’s biggest stage.
Instead, 24 years have passed without qualification — with a litany of near-misses and play-off disappointments along the way.
Securing their place at this summer’s tournament is a boost for the nation and a talented generation of players.
Who is their coach?
When Montella replaced Stefan Kuntz as manager three years ago, Turkey were struggling to qualify for Euro 2024. The former Milan manager and Italy striker resurrected their campaign, then guided Turkey to the quarter-finals, where they lost narrowly to the Netherlands in Berlin.
Vincenzo Montella took Turkey to the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 (Sebastian Christoph Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Popular among players and supporters, Montella says his affinity for the nation has made him feel like a native. “The culture that raised me and the culture I encountered in Turkey are incredibly similar,” he told reporters in his pre-Kosovo press conference. “I can think like a Turk. I eat like a Turk. I act like a Turk. That’s why I feel like a Turk.”
How do they play?
Montella’s Turkey usually set up in a 4-2-3-1 and have developed a discipline that blends the flair of some of their exciting young players with defensive nous.
They have missed their injured defensive lynchpin Merih Demiral and had to dig in against Romania last week. But they have quality in every position and Montella has developed a style that produces winning football, with 18 victories in his 31 games.
Who is their key player?
The tempo-setting of Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu makes everything tick in midfield. Much younger talents, including Kenan Yildiz and Guler, are expected to score goals and create chances, but as captain, Calhanoglu provides control from midfield.
The 32-year-old suffered from cramp against Romania after a typically pivotal display, but reassured worried fans afterwards. If they are to shine in the summer, Turkey will need Calhanoglu fit and firing.
What else should we know about them?
At Euro 2024, only Germany could count on more support, due to the huge Turkish diaspora in the host nation, where an estimated 2.9million have Turkish passports or Turkish roots, according to a 2015 microcensus.
They may be well supported in North America this summer, too, with census data showing how New York State and California hold the highest concentrations of Americans with Turkish heritage.
