20.06.2026 15:51
The National Team's farewell to the World Cup sparked discussions about head coach Vincenzo Montella's future. Player Kerem Aktürkoğlu stated that the technical staff did not make a farewell speech, emphasizing Montella's contribution to the team.
The Turkish National Football Team lost 1-0 to Paraguay in their second match of Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the San Francisco Bay Area. After the match, national footballer Kerem Aktürkoğlu made a statement. Aktürkoğlu said, 'Both our nation and we had much different, much bigger dreams and goals. We came here in line with those goals. We put in effort, we put in a lot of effort to come here. We also put in a lot of effort during the pre-tournament training camp, but we could not achieve the results we wanted. We tried, we tried a lot. We took many shots in both matches. We could not put one on target. The responsibility is on us. A quality team like us should have played well and secured the result. We could not do that. There is nothing to say, we are sorry.'
"WE WOULD NOT HAVE WANTED IT THIS WAY" Stating that there was no farewell speech in the locker room after the match, the national footballer said, 'We are the ones who brought the team to the World Cup after 24 years, and our coach is one of the architects of this. When expectations are high, emotions are intense, both for us and for our country. We were aware of the great expectations, and the criticism we receive for not meeting those expectations is justified. There is nothing to do; we would not have wanted it this way either. A team consisting of quality players like us should have finished as group leaders, but sometimes in life, things do not go as you wish. Regardless of the result, I am proud of my teammates for the fight we put up. We did not give up; we fought until the end. Sometimes in life, things do not go as you want. This was the first World Cup for this squad after 24 years. There was also inexperience. Hopefully, in the future, we will dedicate greater successes to our country, both in the World Cup and in the European Championship.'
"I DO NOT AGREE THAT WE EXAGGERATED THE LEVEL" The national footballer, who said he did not think they exaggerated the level of the national team, used the words: 'Because our quality is clear. What we achieved until reaching this point is also important. We reached the quarter-finals in the European Championship. Now, after experiencing these, when such a result occurs, it inevitably leads to disappointment. I do not agree that we exaggerated the level. Everyone has a different opinion, but such a result does not suit a quality team like ours. We could have done better. We could have advanced from the group and been discussing a different scenario. But since things did not go well, there is nothing to say.'
"WE NEED TO HOLD OUR HEADS UP" Continuing his words by saying, 'We would not have wanted such a result,' Aktürkoğlu stated, 'We had a successful track record before this; there is a big disappointment in terms of this tournament. I hope from now on there will always be an upward trend. Now we have the Nations League A. A busy schedule awaits us. Both we and our nation must overcome this disappointment. We need to hold our heads up. We are the ones who will achieve success again as a nation. We cannot do this alone. Everyone had great expectations. I think we will do what is necessary from now on.'
"THE OPPONENT CURSED AT MERT, I THINK" Evaluating the red card shown to the Paraguayan player due to him covering his mouth while speaking, as per FIFA's new rules, Kerem Aktürkoğlu said, 'Before the tournament, the referees explained the new rules to us. When you cover your mouth, the referees consider it as racism or abusive language. Generally, when you cover your mouth, it is thought that you will say something bad or engage in racism. The opponent cursed at Mert, I think. I was far away, but Mert said, "He said bad things to me while covering his mouth." We objected to the referee there, and the decision from VAR was correct.'
The national footballer concluded his words as follows: 'It is a tournament open to surprises. It was like that in Qatar too. Favorites can be eliminated. We were one of the favorites in this group. As a result, since we could not deliver what was expected, we are all experiencing disappointment. Just as we take responsibility, we are the ones who will lift this team up. Hopefully, we will succeed.'