Türkiye crash out of World Cup group stage with €474m squad

Out in the group stage

Türkiye are done at the 2026 World Cup, eliminated in the group stage and finishing 35th overall (1) (2). A squad that reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, with Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız on the pitch, could not win when it mattered. The 1–0 defeat to Paraguay sealed it.

The most expensive group-stage exit ever

Transfermarkt pegs Türkiye's squad at €474 million, the highest valuation of any team knocked out in the group phase at this tournament (1). That number makes the exit sting differently. Potential on paper, nothing to show for it on the pitch.

Africa dominates the group stage

Ten African nations entered the 2026 World Cup. Only Tunisia failed to advance. Europe sent 16 teams, and three of them, including Türkiye, are heading home early (3). The balance of power in this tournament has shifted hard.

USA dead rubber, then what comes next

One match remains, against the United States, and it means nothing for the standings. Vincenzo Montella has the backing of FA president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, who has publicly stated the coach will stay on. Expect heavy rotation in a game that's already being billed as Alex Zendejas' potential World Cup debut. Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal will take charge.

The real question is how a squad this talented, this valuable, gets rebuilt in time for the next cycle. That conversation starts now.