25.03.2026 15:40
Arda Güler stated in his remarks before the match against Romania that their only dream is to participate in the World Cup. He expressed his belief that they can defeat any country if they play together, saying, "We can beat everyone. We have the quality in the squad and the habit of playing together. In 2002, there were many players from Galatasaray. Now we also have many players from Galatasaray. They achieved great results in the Champions League."
The Turkish National Football Team will host Romania tomorrow at 20:00 at Beşiktaş Park in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Play-off. National football player Arda Güler made statements at a press conference held at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities.
Arda Güler expressed that they know it will be a tough match tomorrow, saying, "We know that Romania is a strong team. Their coach has worked in Turkey before. Tomorrow will be a very important match for both countries. Our only goal after the European Championship was to qualify for the World Cup. We can make our country happy for this."
'WE KNOW IT WILL BE TOUGH'
Arda Güler stated that they respect the legendary figure of Romanian football, Georghe Hagi, saying, "We respect Hagi. I have watched his videos. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a very beautiful match for us. We know it will be a very tough match. They will also play to qualify for the World Cup just like us. It won't be an easy match. I don't think there is a favorite in such matches. Because it's a single match. They will do their best as well."
'I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE A FAVORITE IN SUCH MATCHES'
Emphasizing that it will be a vital match for both countries, the national football player said, "We definitely don't think it will be easy. It is a vital match for them as well. I don't think there will be a favorite in such matches. It's a single match, and they will do their best. Therefore, I don't think it will be easy."
'OUR ONLY DREAM IS TO QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP'
Arda Güler, who stated that he was not even alive during the last World Cup Turkey participated in 2002, said, "I wasn't even in the world during the 2002 World Cup. Hopefully, we can continue our adventure that will start tomorrow in a very beautiful way. Actually, our only dream since the day we were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the European Championship has been to qualify for the World Cup. We have reached the matches we have aimed for over the past two years. We are both very focused and very excited. Our only dream is to qualify for the World Cup."
'I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE A STRONGER MOTIVATION THAN QUALIFYING FOR THE WORLD CUP'
The young football player expressed that he personally wants to be in the World Cup, saying, "I don't think there will be a stronger motivation than qualifying for the World Cup. The fact that it is a single match seems to increase the pressure on us, but since we play at this level, we are prepared as a team to play these matches. I really want to be there individually."
Arda Güler pointed out that they have laid a good foundation since Montella took over the team, saying:
"Since our coach came, we have laid a good foundation. I wish we could qualify without playing in the play-offs, but I think good things can take time. We have had a stable progress for the past two years. If we maintain this progress, I believe we can become a stronger football country."
'IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE WE PLAY IN THE NATIONAL TEAM'
The 21-year-old national football player, who stated that he has a good individual performance, said, "I think I have a good performance graph. I can play in many positions. This adds many perspectives to me. I think I can play the game better in both directions now. I try to adapt to everything. Especially in the national team, it doesn't matter where we play. I am very happy with the roles I have taken and the minutes I have played."
'SCORING SUCH GOALS IS VERY HARD'
Sharing his thoughts about the goal he scored from 72 meters against Elche in La Liga, Arda Güler said, "It was a very special goal. I had tried a few times before, but it didn't work. I kept trying. When I scored such a goal, I was very happy. Of course, scoring such goals is very hard. Hopefully, we can see more goals like this."
'I BELIEVE WE CAN BEAT EVERY TEAM'
Arda Güler expressed his belief that they can beat every country if they play together, concluding his words:
"I think both in terms of squad quality and our habit of playing together, there were many Galatasaray players back then, and now we have many Galatasaray players. They have achieved great success in the Champions League for the past two years. We have many Turkish football players playing in Europe. We are also trying to make our people proud there. I definitely believe that as long as we play together, we can beat every team."