Turkey will conclude their warm-up matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a game against Venezuela on Saturday at Chase Stadium in the United States.
As the team prepares for the global competition, Vincenzo Montella’s squad considers this match an essential chance to acclimate to the North American environment before their first World Cup game.
Turkey has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a return after 24 years away from the tournament since their memorable third place in 2002. Their return was confirmed by a tightly contested 1-0 win over Kosovo in the European playoff final on March 31, 2026.
Iraq also qualified for the tournament, celebrating their first World Cup entry since 1986.
Coming off a convincing 4-0 win against North Macedonia in a recent friendly, Turkey appears to be in good shape. This victory extended their streak to three consecutive clean sheets, and they have won six out of their last seven matches.
The Turkish Football Federation shared through their X account that an official dinner took place before their last match, attended by senior officials from both Turkey and North Macedonia, underscoring their preparation and international ties ahead of the World Cup.
On the other hand, Venezuela was unable to qualify for the tournament, finishing eighth in the CONMEBOL standings, just two points shy of the intercontinental playoff position held by Bolivia. Despite this setback, they are progressing under head coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, who has achieved one win and faced two defeats in his first three matches in charge.
Turkey aims to build confidence and momentum leading into the World Cup, particularly as they prepare for a challenging opening match against Australia on June 14.
Team News
Turkey is set to field a formidable lineup, with key players such as Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz likely to feature in attack. Orkun Kokcu and Salih Ozcan may pair in midfield, while Altay Bayindir is expected to continue in goal.
Venezuela is anticipated to rely on Wikelman Carmona, David Martinez, and Jesus Ramirez for their offensive efforts, while Nahuel Ferraresi is expected to lead their defensive lineup.
Possible Lineups
Venezuela possible starting lineup:
Contreras; Aramburu, Vivas, Ferraresi, Quintero; Segovia, Casseres; Martinez, Carmona, Mendoza; Ramirez
Turkey possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Muldur, Kabak, Soyuncu, Kadioglu; Ozcan, Kokcu; Uzun, Guler, Yildiz; Gul
How to watch
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| TV Broadcast | SuperSport |
| Live Stream | UEFA tv |
| Kick-off Time | 23:00 (WAT) |
Match Prediction
Softfootball predicts Turkey 3-1 Venezuela
As Turkey prepares for this match, they carry a stronger momentum, superior squad depth, and solid defensive performance. While Venezuela remains competitive, it is expected that Montella’s team will have enough offensive resources to earn a positive result before the World Cup commences.
