Turkish Football Team Apologizes After World Cup Elimination

The Turkish national football team has issued a heartfelt apology to its nation following its premature exit from the 2026 World Cup. The players and coaching staff expressed deep regret and embarrassment after suffering two consecutive defeats, confirming their elimination from the tournament.

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We want to apologize, we feel ashamed.

Star player Arda Güler, speaking to Turkish public television TRT, conveyed the team's shame. "We want to apologize, we feel ashamed," he stated. The 21-year-old Real Madrid midfielder acknowledged the unacceptability of their performance, particularly their inability to score a single goal across two matches. "Everyone plays for top clubs, and we should perform much better in this competition," Güler added.

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Everyone plays for top clubs, and we should perform much better in this competition. In two games we haven't scored a single goal and that is unacceptable.

Captain Hakan Çalhanoglu echoed these sentiments, describing the squad's frustration after high expectations were set for Turkey's return to the World Cup stage after a 24-year absence. "It's difficult to find the right words right now. We are all disappointed," said the 32-year-old midfielder. He apologized to the fans and reflected on the team's efforts, noting that despite giving their all, it was not enough. "This could be my last World Cup, but now we need to support the younger players and help them get up," Çalhanoglu concluded.

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It's difficult to find the words right now. We are all disappointed. We gave everything in these two games, but it was not enough. They scored with practically their only shot and won the match. I apologize to our people. This could be my last World Cup, but now we need to support the younger players and help them get up. We tried, but it didn't work; it was bad luck.

Head coach Vincenzo Montella, who took charge of the Turkish team in 2023, lamented the team's misfortune. "I regret it deeply. We had high expectations," he commented. The Italian coach, with 35 years in football, described the situation as highly unusual, stating that such a run of bad luck typically occurs once every 50 matches, but has befallen his team in two consecutive games. Goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakır also apologized to the nation, promising that the team would continue to strive to make the country proud despite the disappointing outcome.

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I regret it deeply. We had high expectations. I have been involved in football for 35 years, and normally something like this happens once every 50 games. It has happened to us in two consecutive matches.