Turkey's national football team has kicked off its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The training session was held at the National Teams Training and Education Facility under the guidance of technical director Vincenzo Montella. Out of a 35-person candidate pool, 25 players participated, while captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu worked separately.

Players such as Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Altay Bayındır, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, and Zeki Çelik, who are still in league play, as well as Mustafa Eskihellaç and Atakan Karazor, who will play in the Turkish Cup and DFB Cup finals, did not join the team yet.

Besides, Merih Demiral and Yusuf Akçiçek, who are undergoing a rest period, and Mert Günok, who has special leave, also did not attend the training.

Before the training, Montella had a brief meeting with the players. The session started with running, followed by dynamic warm-ups and passing drills. The players then divided into three groups to practice ball control and passing. The training concluded with tempo runs.

TRAINING CONTINUES TOMORROW

The national team will continue its preparations tomorrow with a training session starting at 17:15. The players will enter camp at the training facilities from May 29. On June 1, they will play a friendly match against North Macedonia at Chobani Stadium. The team will then travel to Florida, USA, for the camp on June 2. On June 7, they will play another friendly match against Venezuela at Inter Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida.