Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella at a press conference ahead of a World Cup game against Australia. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Vincenzo Montella will lead Turkiye in the FIFA World Cup 2026. This is the country’s first World Cup appearance since 2002.

Montella’s managerial pedigree was largely in club management in his home nation of Italy when he was appointed Turkiye manager after leaving Adana Demirspor, but he has been transformative for the national team.

Under Montella, Turkiye has broken more than one historical hoodoo already and will be looking to do so again this summer.

Vincenzo Montella record as coach:

• Matches: 464
• Wins: 214
• Draws: 106
• Losses: 144
• Win percentage: 46.12

Vincenzo Montella record as Turkiye coach:

• Matches: 33
• Wins: 20
• Draws: 5
• Losses: 8
• Win percentage: 60.61

What has Montella said ahead of the World Cup?

“This is the day before something that we have been waiting for 24 years, we are very emotional and we trust we are going to do well,” said Montella ahead of Turkiye’s World Cup opener against Australia.

”We know how many challenges there are in the World Cup, but we want to enjoy it and we want to be proud, and we want to make our nation proud of us.

“The first game is always the more important, even though it’s not the one that decides the final results because you can gain points in future games, but of course, I think of this game as a game that is going to be important and that is going to help in the future path of our team,” he added.

Published on Jun 14, 2026