Turkey will present the toughest challenge for the USMNT in the World Cup group phase.

PRISTINA, Kosovo — The United States men’s national team has identified its final competitor for the FIFA World Cup. Türkiye, recognized as one of Europe’s most skilled and unpredictable squads, secured its position in Group D with a narrow 1-0 playoff victory over Kosovo in Pristina.

Kerem Aktürkoglu’s goal in the 53rd minute was sufficient to secure the win and propel Türkiye to its first men’s World Cup appearance since reaching the semifinals in 2002, where they were defeated by the eventual champions, Brazil.

Ranked 22nd in the FIFA World Ranking, six spots below Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. team, Türkiye will meet the World Cup co-hosts in the final match of Group D in Los Angeles on June 25, with both teams having already faced Paraguay and Australia. Unless the U.S. secures victories in both of its initial matches, the encounter with Türkiye at SoFi Stadium could be pivotal for the Americans’ aspirations of finishing at the top of the group or even advancing to the round of 32.

What can the U.S. anticipate against Vincenzo Montella’s squad, which features young Real Madrid talent Arda Güler and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz? Here is an overview of Türkiye’s strengths and weaknesses, and why they might emerge as one of the formidable outsiders at the World Cup this summer.

How did Türkiye qualify for the World Cup?

Türkiye had to navigate the playoffs, defeating Romania and then Kosovo, after finishing second in UEFA Group E behind European champions Spain.

While they achieved victories against Bulgaria and Georgia both home and away, Türkiye’s two matches against Spain highlighted their capability to compete with top teams, as well as their tendency to falter under pressure — similar to their performance at Euro 2024, where they were expected to defeat the Netherlands in the quarterfinals but fell short.

In their encounters with Spain, Türkiye suffered a 6-0 defeat at home but managed to hold the World Cup favorites to a 2-2 draw in Seville during the final group match.

The message regarding Türkiye is clear: anticipate the unexpected.

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Who are Türkiye’s star players?

Real Madrid midfielder Güler stands out as the key player, supported by Yildiz and Internazionale’s Hakan Çalhanoglu.

At just 21, Güler is already central to the Türkiye team. His composure and maturity at such a young age allowed them to dominate against Kosovo in Pristina. Although he has yet to secure a regular starting position at Real, it is only a matter of time before he becomes a fixture in Alvaro Arbeloa’s lineup. He possesses the vision akin to Luka Modric, while also being effective in advanced positions, and his synergy with winger Yildiz will be a primary focus for Pochettino when evaluating threats to his squad.

Yildiz is a traditional winger, adept with both feet, primarily operating on the left flank; against Kosovo, he created numerous opportunities through his direct approach and willingness to cross or shoot. While he can be inconsistent and frustrating at times, at only 20, he has a promising future ahead. Together, he and Güler could shine this summer.

Çalhanoglu, at 32, brings invaluable experience that is essential for stabilizing the team. When Türkiye took the lead in Pristina, Çalhanoglu played a crucial role in controlling the tempo and providing greater stability. His ability to manage the game will be vital, especially in the heat of a U.S. summer.

Any potential surprises?

Türkiye’s fullbacks, Zeki Çelik and Ferdi Kadioglu, are integral to Montella’s 4-2-3-1 formation, as they both advance as auxiliary wingers during offensive plays. Both possess speed and determination, while also being capable defenders. Any team facing Türkiye will need a strategy to keep Çelik and Kadioglu — who play for Roma and Brighton, respectively — contained in their own half.

Both players have experience at the highest level and have competed in the Euros with Türkiye, so the World Cup stage will not intimidate them. While attention will be on Güler and Yildiz, it is prudent to monitor Türkiye’s pair of dynamic fullbacks.

What are Türkiye’s weaknesses?

As previously noted, Türkiye has struggled under pressure in the past. This could pose a challenge at the World Cup, as they will be expected to secure a top-two finish in Group D.

However, they will draw significant confidence from their playoff triumph, having managed the expectations of being heavy favorites against Romania in Istanbul in the semifinal before traveling to Kosovo and defeating a formidable young team on their home ground.

On the field, there are aspects where Türkiye can be challenged.

The team lacks a dependable goalkeeper — Galatasaray’s Ugurcan Çakir is the first choice, with 37 appearances since his debut in 2019, but he does not meet the standards of the top nations. His backup against Kosovo was Manchester United’s error-prone second-choice Altay Bayindir. Çakir may be reliable enough to navigate the World Cup, but Türkiye would face difficulties if he were to be injured or suspended.

At the opposite end, Türkiye also appears unconvincing and lacks a prolific goal scorer comparable to former greats Hakan Sukur, Burak Yilmaz, and Tuncay Sanli. The match-winner in Pristina, Aktürkoglu, netted only three goals during qualification. None of the other attacking options available to Montella boasts an impressive scoring record.

In summary, Türkiye can be defensively vulnerable — having conceded 12 goals in six qualifiers — and they lack striking power. If Güler, Yildiz, and Çalhanoglu can be effectively neutralized, Türkiye’s threat diminishes significantly.

Is Türkiye a threat to the USMNT?

Indeed, Türkiye’s inclusion in Group D complicates matters for Mauricio Pochettino and his squad.

While Türkiye has its weaknesses, a team with the caliber of Güler, Yildiz, and Çalhanoglu can triumph over any opponent on a good day.

If Kosovo had advanced to the World Cup, it would have entered Group D as clear underdogs. However, Türkiye possesses several key players, and its overall capabilities should position it as a favorite to lead the group.