Turkey National Football Team's Journey to Euro 2024: Key Players and Tactical Analysis

Let me be honest with you—when I first watched Turkey's qualification campaign for Euro 2024 unfold, I couldn't help but feel a familiar skepticism. We've seen promising Turkish squads before, teams that started strong but faded when it mattered most. But something about this group feels different, and it’s not just the raw talent or tactical discipline—it’s the mindset. I was reminded of a post-match comment from one of their key players after a decisive win: "I wouldn’t call it lucky. I would never call it lucky. I feel like we just put in all the effort. Everybody was in the same mindset and everybody wanted the same thing." That statement, simple as it sounds, captures the essence of what makes this Turkish national team a potential dark horse in Germany next summer.

Looking at their journey, it’s impossible to ignore the numbers. Turkey finished top of their qualifying group with 20 points from 10 matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding just 9. Those aren’t mind-blowing stats, but they reflect a team that knows how to grind out results. In my view, that resilience stems from a core of players who’ve matured together at both club and international levels. Take Hakan Çalhanoğlu, for instance. At 29, he’s no longer the flashy prospect we saw at Hamburg or Bayer Leverkusen—he’s the undisputed leader, a playmaker who dictates tempo and isn’t afraid to drop deep to help defensively. Then there’s Arda Güler, the 18-year-old wonderkid whose rise at Real Madrid has been nothing short of meteoric. I’ve followed his development closely, and what stands out isn’t just his technical ability—it’s his fearlessness. In crucial qualifiers, he contributed 4 goals and 3 assists, often coming off the bench to change games.

Tactically, head coach Stefan Kuntz has built a system that balances pragmatism with flair. Turkey typically sets up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but what’s fascinating is how fluid it becomes in possession. The full-backs, especially Ferdi Kadıoğlu, push high and invert, creating overloads in midfield. Up front, the interplay between Çalhanoğlu, Güler, and central striker Enes Ünal is a joy to watch—quick, vertical passes, clever movement, and relentless pressing. Defensively, they’re organized but not passive. I noticed in their 2-0 win against Croatia how they pressed in coordinated waves, forcing turnovers in dangerous areas. It’s a high-risk, high-reward approach, and it requires every player to buy in. That collective commitment is exactly what that earlier quote alluded to—everyone wanting the same thing.

Of course, no analysis would be complete without addressing the challenges. Turkey’s defense, while improved, still looks vulnerable against pacy wingers. Merih Demiral and Çağlar Söyüncü form a solid partnership, but they’ve conceded 62% of their goals from wide areas this cycle. In my opinion, that could be their Achilles’ heel against teams like France or England. Still, I’m optimistic. This squad has depth—players like Orkun Kökçü and Yusuf Yazıcı offer quality off the bench, something previous Turkish teams lacked. And let’s not forget the emotional factor. Turkish fans are among the most passionate in Europe, and with many of their matches being played in cities with large Turkish communities, they’ll have a virtual home advantage.

As someone who’s followed international football for years, I’ve learned that tournament success often comes down to intangibles—team chemistry, belief, and a bit of momentum. Turkey has all of that right now. They’re not the favorites, and honestly, I prefer it that way. Underdogs play with freedom, and this team, with its blend of experience and youth, seems to thrive when expectations are low. If they can stay healthy and maintain that unified mindset, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them reach the quarterfinals, maybe even beyond. After all, as that player rightly said—it’s not about luck. It’s about effort, alignment, and wanting the same thing. And this Turkish side wants it badly.