Turkey's World Cup video with Erdogan scenes sparks criticism

A promotional video released by the Turkish Football Federation for the World Cup has sparked controversy, drawing criticism for its blend of sports, military hardware, and political messaging. The clip, titled "You all - We are Turkey," was commissioned by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and features a reinterpretation of a traditional folk song.

Alongside scenes from football stadiums, the music video incorporates imagery of fighter jets, naval ships, and drones from the company Bayraktar. It also shows Erdogan himself, depicted in a football jersey, on a car ride, and at a military parade. Notably, parts of the video were generated using artificial intelligence.

The video has faced backlash from Turkish fans and opposition figures. One social media user questioned the video's intent, asking, "Are we going to a football match or a war?" The opposition newspaper "Cumhuriyet" criticized the clip, stating that it foregrounded "AKP propaganda rather than the national team, football, and the World Cup."

Namik Tan, a lawmaker from the main opposition party CHP and former Turkish ambassador to the US, commented on X (formerly Twitter) that the national team represents a shared national value and should not be used as a propaganda tool for any political party. The integration of military and political elements into a sports promotion has raised concerns about the blurring of lines between national identity, political agendas, and sporting events.