One of the biggest stars of world volleyball, Ebrar Karakurt, has definitively withdrawn from Turkey's squad for EuroVolley 2026. After missing this year's edition of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) due to injury, the opposite hitter will also not play in the European Championship, which Turkey is co-hosting.
The Turkish Volleyball Federation announced that despite progress in Karakurt's recovery, she is still not ready to return to the court. At the beginning of her preparation, the national team player felt pain in her lower back and pelvis, and examinations showed severe overload, requiring longer treatment and recovery.
After a period of rest, Karakurt underwent physiotherapy and gradually resumed training. The latest examinations, conducted jointly by the medical teams of the national team and her club team Eczacıbaşı, show improvement, but the risk of her return is still too high. Therefore, it was decided not to include her in the final squad for EuroVolley 2026.
Thus, the 26-year-old opposite hitter will miss both of the national team's biggest tournaments this season. Back in July, she also did not play in the Volleyball Nations League, where Turkey had to cope without one of its most prolific players.
Karakurt's absence is a serious blow to the ambitions of the reigning European champion. Turkey will host its group matches in Istanbul, where they will face Poland, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary, and Latvia. Without their big star, Daniele Santarelli's selection will rely even more on Melissa Vargas, Zehra Güneş, Hande Baladın, and their other leaders.
Karakurt was among the key figures in Turkey's historic successes in recent years, including the titles won in the Volleyball Nations League and the European Championship in 2023. That is why her absence is considered the most serious personnel loss for the Turkish national team before the start of EuroVolley 2026.

photo:volleyballworld.com