Merih Demiral
Türkiye
DEF
Age
28
Appearances
0
Tackles won
0
About Merih Demiral
Merih Demiral is a confirmed defender in Türkiye's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in Vincenzo Montella's final 26. The Al-Ahli defender is 28 at kick-off and brings 62 senior caps and 6 international goals into the squad, heading to his first World Cup.
Türkiye were drawn in Group D alongside the United States, Paraguay and Australia. They open against Australia at BC Place in Vancouver on 13 June, then face Paraguay at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on 19 June and the United States at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 25 June. Türkiye reached the finals by winning their UEFA play-off path, Path C, on 31 March 2026, with Demiral among the defenders in the 26.
Türkiye were drawn in Group D alongside the United States, Paraguay and Australia. They open against Australia at BC Place in Vancouver on 13 June, then face Paraguay at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on 19 June and the United States at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 25 June. Türkiye reached the finals by winning their UEFA play-off path, Path C, on 31 March 2026, with Demiral among the defenders in the 26.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
0
Minutes played
0
Tackles won
0
Interceptions
0
Clearances
0
Blocks
0
Playing Style
Demiral is a defender for Al-Ahli and an experienced figure in Türkiye's defence, with 62 senior caps to his name. His is a defensive game, the job of a defender asked to hold his position and defend at the back for his country.
For Türkiye, Demiral offers that experience at the back, a defender named in Montella's 26. It is his work in defence, rather than anything further forward, that he brings to the side for the finals.
For Türkiye, Demiral offers that experience at the back, a defender named in Montella's 26. It is his work in defence, rather than anything further forward, that he brings to the side for the finals.
World Cup History
The 2026 World Cup will be Merih Demiral's first. Named in Türkiye's final 26, the defender reaches a senior World Cup for the first time, with no previous senior World Cup appearances. He arrives with 62 senior caps and 6 goals for Türkiye, all of it before this first World Cup appearance.
Demiral heads to the finals among the defenders in Montella's squad, his place in the 26 confirmed for Türkiye's group-stage campaign.
Demiral heads to the finals among the defenders in Montella's squad, his place in the 26 confirmed for Türkiye's group-stage campaign.
National Team
Türkiye
Tier 4
£10m
📋 Teammates (25)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Demiral brings Türkiye defensive experience, the Al-Ahli defender whose 62 caps mark a senior head at the rear. Türkiye rank as a Tier 4 squad worth £10m, a card valued within the game's £200m card budget, with Australia first up in Group D when play starts.
Demiral offers it right across the stage to come, his spot for the campaign safely held, named by Montella for the games that lie ahead.
Demiral offers it right across the stage to come, his spot for the campaign safely held, named by Montella for the games that lie ahead.
🏆 Goal Rush
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Demiral at the 2026 World Cup
Demiral is a confirmed defender in Vincenzo Montella's 26-man Türkiye squad for the 2026 World Cup, an Al-Ahli defender. At 28 he brings 62 caps to a Türkiye side opening their Group D campaign in June.
Picking Türkiye in Goal Rush
The Türkiye card lists Demiral, an Al-Ahli defender. Türkiye are listed as a £10m pick in Tier 4. They face Australia first in Group D.
Merih Demiral World Cup 2026 FAQs
For the group stage, Türkiye are rated as a £10m team in Tier 4. Demiral, an Al-Ahli defender, made Montella's 26, with Türkiye set for their Group D opener.
Demiral is a defender for Türkiye, with 62 caps and 6 goals. He plays his club football for Al-Ahli and is part of Vincenzo Montella's national-team squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in the final 26.
No. The 2026 World Cup will be Demiral's first. He has no previous senior World Cup appearances, reaching the tournament for the first time after his place in Türkiye's 26-man squad was confirmed.
Demiral plays his club football for Al-Ahli. He is named among Türkiye's defenders in Vincenzo Montella's final 26, with Türkiye opening their Group D campaign against Australia in mid-June.
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