Salih Özcan

Salih Özcan enters the 2026 World Cup at a pivotal moment. At 28, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder brings top-level experience, established international recognition, and the kind of tournament-stage profile that naturally draws attention to Türkiye's campaign.

As a midfielder, Salih Özcan operates as the engine room connecting defense to attack. Their ability to dictate tempo — knowing when to slow the game down and when to inject pace — is what separates good midfielders from great ones. Their passing range allows Türkiye to switch play quickly and exploit defensive gaps, while their defensive positioning and tactical awareness provide crucial cover for the back line. In the high-intensity environment of a World Cup, where midfield battles often determine outcomes, Salih Özcan's composure under pressure and decision-making in transition moments will be critical to Türkiye's chances of advancing deep into the tournament.

Competing in Group D, Türkiye face a group stage campaign that will test every aspect of their preparation. Drawn alongside D opponents, Salih Özcan's experience and quality will be essential to navigating the challenges that each group stage match presents. The opening match sets the tone for any World Cup campaign — a strong start builds confidence and momentum, while a poor result immediately places the team under enormous pressure for the remaining group fixtures. As a key squad member, Salih Özcan will need to deliver from the first whistle of the opening match to ensure Türkiye position themselves for qualification to the knockout stages.

Ranked #26 globally, Türkiye enter the tournament as a team capable of beating anyone on their day but without the guaranteed expectations of the absolute favorites. This is often the most dangerous profile at a World Cup — talented enough to compete with the elite, but hungry enough to fight for every result. Salih Özcan embodies this spirit, and their performances could be the catalyst that transforms Türkiye from dark horse contenders into genuine knockout-stage threats.