Squad update
Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was controversially left out of Turkey’s final squad in a bid to promote squad harmony.
Ersan Gulum, Serdar Aziz, Alper Potuk, Mevlut Erdinc, Umut Bulut also missed out.
Emre Mor, the Danish-born teenager, was a surprise inclusion while Harun Tekin was selected in place of Volkan Demirel.
Nuri Sahin made the cut despite an injury-plagued season, while Ahmet Calık, Ismail Koybasi and Yunus Malli also made the final selection.
Final squad
Harun Tekin
0/0
Bursaspor
Age 26 (17.06.89)
Uncapped, first called up in 2015. A surprise selection in the final 23-man squad in place of Volkan Demirel.
Onur Kivrak
12/0
Trabzonspor
Age 28 (01.01.88)
Tall, with good reflexes in one-on-ones but can make mistakes at set-pieces.
Volkan Babacan
14/0
Istanbul BB
Age 27 (11.08.88)
First choice in qualifying. Strong on his feet and in one-on-ones. Has not lost playing for Turkey.
Defenders
Ajemt Calik
4/0
Genclerbirligi
Age 22 (26.02.94)
Young centre-back who has played for Turkey at all youth levels, making hi senior debut in November 2015.
Gokhan Gonul
55/1
Fenerbahce
Age 31 (04.01.85)
Intelligent right-back, not quick but strong. Injury-prone for his club but still a key figure.
Hakan Balta
45/2
Galatasaray
Age 33 (23.03.83)
One of Turkey’s most experienced defenders. Can play in the centre or left-back.
Ismail Koybasi
19/0
Besiktas
Age 26 (10.07.89)
Left-back or wing-back who won the Turkish league this season and has been linked with a move abroad.
Mehmet Topal
56/0
Fenerbahce
Age 30 (03.03.86)
Turkey’s most valuable player. Converted midfielder who was superb in the qualifiers. Nicknamed “Batman”.
Semih Kaya
23/0
Galatasaray
Age 25 (24.02.91)
Centre-back, promising but error-prone. Started qualifying campaign but mistakes saw him dropped.
Sener Ozbayrakli
8/0
Fenerbahce
Age 26 (23.01.90)
Hard-working right-back. Not a great technician but solid and dependable. Strong in the air.
Midfielders
Arda Turan
89/18
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 29 (30.01.87)
Captain and playmaker. Played in Euro 2008 aged 21, but missed the semi-final against Germany through suspension
Hakan Calhanoglu
17/5
Bayer Leverkusen (Ger)
Age 22 (08.02.94)
Opted for Turkey over Germany and now a key player. Dangerous dribbler with powerful shot. Free-kick specialist.
Caner Erkin
44/2
Fenerbahce
Age 27 (04.10.88)
Experienced left-back or wing-back who is a strong crosser of the ball. Tends to pick up cards easily.
Emre Mor
1/0
Nordsjaelland (Den)
Age 18 (24.07.97)
Teenage winger born in Denmark to Turkish parents. Pursuaded by Fatih Terim to switch allegiance to Turkey.
Oguzhan Ozyakup
17/1
Besiktas
Age 23 (23.09.92)
One of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the Turkish League. Ex-Arsenal youth player.
Ozan Tufan
21/1
Fenerbahce
Age 21 (23.03.95)
Powerful with good technique, strong ball retention and a great shot.
Selcuk Inan
50/8
Galatasaray
Age 31 (10.02.85)
Central midfielder and scorer of the last-minute free-kick goal that took Turkey to Euro 2016. Not as quick as he used to be.
Yunus Malli
6/0
Mainz (Ger)
Age 24 (24.02.92)
German-born, former German Under-21 cap who opted to play for Turkey at senior level.
Nuri Sahin
49/2
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Age 27 (05.09.87)
German-born midfielder who is back at Dortmund after a frustrating, injury-hit time at Real Madrid.
Volkan Sen
13/0
Fenerbahce
Age 28 (07.07.87)
Left-winger who can also play up front. Unlikely to start but a potential match-winner from the bench.
Forwards
Burak Yilmaz
42/19
Beijing Guoang (Chn)
Age 30 (15.07.85)
Scorer of crucial goals in qualifying and Turkey’s most dangerous player. Hit by injuries since move to China.
Cenk Tosun
7/3
Besiktas
Age 25 (07.06.91)
On the bench for his club but has scored some great goals during friendlies in place of the injured Burak.
Olcay Sahan
22/2
Besiktas
Age 29 (26.05.87)
A number 10 for his club but can also be dangerous in the penalty area. Quick but lightweight.
