Atakan Karazor from VfB Stuttgart is not in Turkey’s final squad for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico (June 11 to July 19).
The Swabians’ team captain, who did not play in the DFB Cup final due to groin problems, is one of nine players who were left out of the provisional squad one day after the friendly win against North Macedonia (4-0).
However, there are three other Bundesliga professionals in national coach Vincenco Montella’s squad: Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ozan Kabak (TSG Hoffenheim) and Salih Özcan (Borussia Dortmund).
Before the 2024 European Championship in Germany, Uzun had decided against the DFB and in favor of the Turkish association, but to his great disappointment he was not nominated for the final round.
Three big names in the Turkish World Cup squad
The youngsters Arda Güler (Real Madrid) and Kenan Yildiz (Juventus Turin) as well as captain Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan) are the best-known names in the Turkish squad, which was published on social networks on Tuesday.
The rest of the squad is largely made up of players from Istanbul clubs Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas.
After the victory against North Macedonia, Turkey has its final World Cup dress rehearsal against Venezuela next Sunday in Fort Lauderdale/US state of Florida.
The opening opponent at the World Cup is Australia (June 14th), Paraguay and co-host USA are also waiting in the preliminary round.