Turkey vs Venezuela: Venezuela Leads 1-0 in World Cup Friendly

Türkiye faced Venezuela in Miami for their second and final preparation match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Venezuela took an early lead with a 14th-minute goal by Gleiker Mendoza, while Türkiye’s manager Vincenzo Montella implemented seven significant changes to his starting eleven compared to the previous match against North Macedonia.

The match took place at the Inter Miami Stadium, where a large contingent of Turkish fans gathered. These supporters wore national team jerseys and provided vocal backing for the squad throughout the first half.

How did Vincenzo Montella adjust the lineup?

Manager Vincenzo Montella opted for a heavy rotation in Miami. He replaced Altay Bayındır, Çağlar Söyüncü, Mert Müldür, Salih Özcan, Oğuz Aydın, Yunus Akgün, and Can Uzun.

In their place, Montella gave opportunities to Uğurcan Çakır, Zeki Çelik, Arda Güler, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, İsmail Yüksek, İrfan Can Kahveci, and Barış Alper Yılmaz. The squad remained without Kenan Yıldız, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, and goalkeeper Muhammed Şengezer due to ongoing treatments.

Did You Know? Zeki Çelik stepped into a new leadership role for this match, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time with the national team.

Who started the match for both teams?

Türkiye’s starting eleven featured Uğurcan Çakır in goal, supported by a defensive line of Zeki Çelik, Ozan Kabak, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, and Eren Elmalı. The midfield and attack consisted of İsmail Yüksek, Orkun Kökçü, Arda Güler, İrfan Can Kahveci, Barış Alper Yılmaz, and Deniz Gül.

Venezuela countered with a lineup including Contreras, Arambu, Quintero, Makoun, Ferraresi, Herrera, Segovia, Casseres, Mendoza, Matinez, and Ramirez.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Montella’s decision to start Hakan Çalhanoğlu on the bench while granting Zeki Çelik his first captaincy suggests a tactical effort to test leadership depth and player versatility before the 2026 tournament.

What other notable events occurred in Miami?

Beyond the scoreline, the match facilitated a reunion between Çağlar Söyüncü and Oscar Ortega. Ortega, a Uruguayan coach who worked with Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid from 2011 to 2024, is currently part of the Venezuela technical staff.

TURKEY vs VENEZUELA | 2026 International Friendly | Match Highlights

The two spent time chatting at the Inter Miami Stadium, recalling their shared history from Söyüncü’s tenure at the Spanish club.

What may happen next for the national team?

Since this was the final preparation match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the results and player performances could influence Montella’s final squad selections. The team may look to adjust its defensive cohesion following the early goal conceded to Mendoza.

The integration of the seven rotated players may provide the coaching staff with a clearer picture of their bench strength. Future tactical setups could see a blend of these rotated players and the regulars who started on the bench, such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who scored the goal in the Türkiye vs. Venezuela match?
Gleiker Mendoza scored for Venezuela in the 14th minute.

How many changes did Montella make to the starting eleven?
Vincenzo Montella made seven changes compared to the match against North Macedonia.

Which players were missing from the squad due to treatment?
Kenan Yıldız, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, and Muhammed Şengezer were not in the squad.

Do you think rotating seven players in the final warm-up match was the right tactical move for the World Cup?