Turkey will play their final warm-up match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they take on Venezuela on Saturday at Chase Stadium in the United States.
With preparations for the global tournament already in full swing, Vincenzo Montella’s side will view the clash as an important opportunity to adapt to North American conditions ahead of their opening World Cup fixture.
Turkey officially secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 24-year absence from football’s biggest stage since their historic third-place finish in 2002. The Crescent-Stars confirmed their return with a tense 1-0 victory over Kosovo in the European playoff final on March 31, 2026.
Montella’s men enter the game in strong form after defeating North Macedonia 4-0 in a recent friendly. That result extended Turkey’s impressive defensive run to three consecutive clean sheets, while they have now won six of their last seven matches.
The Turkish Football Federation via their X account earlier revealed that an official pre-match dinner was hosted involving senior officials from both Turkey and North Macedonia before that encounter, reinforcing preparations and international relations ahead of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Venezuela failed to qualify for the tournament after finishing eighth in the CONMEBOL standings, narrowly missing the intercontinental playoff spot by two points behind Bolivia. Despite their disappointment, La Vinotinto continue building under head coach Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, who has overseen one win and two defeats in his opening three games in charge.
Turkey will be aiming to head into the World Cup with confidence and momentum, especially with a difficult opening group fixture against Australia approaching on June 14.
Team News
Turkey are expected to field a strong side with stars such as Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz likely to start in attack. Orkun Kokcu and Salih Ozcan may partner in midfield, while Altay Bayindir could continue in goal.
Venezuela are likely to rely on Wikelman Carmona, David Martinez and Jesus Ramirez in attack, while Nahuel Ferraresi is expected to marshal the defence.
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
Turkey head into the clash with stronger momentum, greater squad quality and impressive defensive form. Venezuela remain competitive and energetic, but Montella’s side should have enough attacking firepower to secure another confidence-boosting victory before the World Cup begins.
