The Turkey national under‑20 football team is the youth association football team representing Turkey in international fixtures for players aged under 20. It is administered by the Turkish Football Federation (Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu, TFF), the governing body for football in Turkey.
Organisation and purpose
- The squad is selected from Turkish‑eligible players who are under the age limit at the start of a competition cycle.
- The team serves as a development bridge between the under‑19 national side and the senior national team, providing international experience in preparation for senior‑level competition.
Competitive record
| Competition | Appearances | Best result | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA U‑20 World Cup | 1 | Group stage | 2005 |
| Mediterranean Games (U‑20) | Multiple (participation varies) | Gold medal (1997) | 1997, 2009, etc. |
- FIFA U‑20 World Cup: Turkey qualified for the tournament once, in 2005, after finishing as one of the top teams in the UEFA qualification tournament (the UEFA European Under‑19 Championship served as the qualifier). In the 2005 World Cup held in the Netherlands, Turkey were drawn in Group C and finished fourth in the group, failing to advance to the knockout stage.
- Mediterranean Games: The under‑20 squad has regularly represented Turkey at the Mediterranean Games, a multi‑sport event in which the football tournament is contested by U‑20 national sides. Turkey won the gold medal in 1997 and has earned further podium finishes in subsequent editions.
Coaching and staff
The team is overseen by a head coach appointed by the TFF, typically drawn from the federation’s pool of youth development personnel. Coaching appointments are generally for specific tournament cycles or qualification phases. Notable recent head coaches include:
- Şenol Güneş (interim, 2022) – primarily known for senior‑team duties but oversaw a youth preparation camp.
- Gökhan Korkmaz (2020–2021) – led the squad during the 2021 Mediterranean Games.
Player development
Several players who featured for the Turkey U‑20 side have progressed to senior international football, including:
- Arda Turan – participated in the 2005 FIFA U‑20 World Cup before becoming a senior Turkey international and playing in top European leagues.
- Emre Mor, Cemal Akın, and Umut Sönmez have also represented Turkey at the U‑20 level before earning senior caps.
Current status
As of the latest competition cycle (2023‑2024), the Turkey U‑20 team continues to compete in friendly tournaments and preparatory matches ahead of potential qualification for the next FIFA U‑20 World Cup. Squad selections are updated regularly by the TFF based on player performance at club level and in the under‑19 national side.
References
- Turkish Football Federation official website (tff.org) – sections on youth national teams.
- FIFA archives – tournament reports for the 2005 FIFA U‑20 World Cup.
- Mediterranean Games historical results – Comité International des Jeux Méditerranéens (CIJM).
