12.06.2026 14:40
In The Athletic's list of the top 50 footballers ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Arda Güler ranked 45th and Hakan Çalhanoğlu ranked 47th. Both national footballers received praise-filled evaluations.
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, The Athletic, one of the world's leading sports publications, ranked the top 50 players competing in the tournament.
In the released list, two players from the Turkish National Team found a place. Arda Güler ranked 45th, while Hakan Çalhanoğlu was listed in 47th place.
PRAISE FOR ARDA GÜLER
In The Athletic's assessment of Arda Güler, the young star's successful season at Real Madrid was highlighted. The analysis noted that Arda, shown as the creative player upon whom Vincenzo Montella builds his attacking plan, is expected to play a key role for Turkey in the World Cup.
HAKAN ÇALHANOĞLU'S LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTED
In the evaluation for Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who ranked 47th on the list, the experienced player's playmaking abilities and effectiveness in set pieces were emphasized. It was stated that Çalhanoğlu stands out from many midfielders of similar profile with his penalty expertise and attacking contribution.
DEMBELE TOPS THE LIST
In the ranking prepared by The Athletic, French star Ousmane Dembele took first place. Harry Kane ranked second, Lamine Yamal third, while star names such as Kylian Mbappe, Pedri, Achraf Hakimi, and Bruno Fernandes also found a place in the top 10.