22.06.2026 08:41
TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, speaking before the match against the USA, stated that criticism of the A National Team has crossed the line and expressed support for the players and technical staff. Hacıosmanoğlu called for legal regulations regarding insulting comments and addressed Justice Minister Akın Gürlek.
In the third match of Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Turkish National Football Team, which will face the USA, began its preparations with a training session at Arizona Athletic Grounds. Before the training, Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu answered questions from the press.
Starting his speech by thanking supporters, Hacıosmanoğlu said, "Thousands of our citizens from all over the world came to America to support our national team. I thank each of them individually. Similarly, I extend my gratitude to the thousands of people who woke up early in the morning and gathered in squares across every province and district of the country to give their enthusiastic support to the national team. We would have liked to achieve success here and make those 85 million people, who have embraced their team with such dedication, happy, but there is good in every bad, and bad in every good; God did not will it. First and foremost, I thank the football players. They are the ones who brought us here. They played in the quarterfinals of the European Championship. They promoted us to the International A League. After 24 years, they are the ones carrying us to the World Cup, along with our coach Montella and his technical team. I thank them as well."
"OUR HEARTS FEEL THE PAIN"
Expressing that the results also saddened them, Hacıosmanoğlu stated, "Our hearts truly ache. From the equipment manager to the players, from the technical staff to the administration, everyone's heart aches. Because we did not come to the World Cup for these goals. But people should know that our respected 85 million noble nation, and those who contributed here—the equipment manager, the players, the technical staff, the administration, and we ourselves—are equally saddened, and our hearts still feel that pain. Let's not forget that it is 'Our Children' who brought us here. Most of them are around 20 years old, and these children may play in three or four upcoming tournaments together. They are our children; we need to support them."
"I LEAVE IT TO THE JUDGMENT OF 80 MILLION WHAT THEY SERVE"
Emphasizing that they value constructive criticism, the TFF President said, "We respect them, and everyone—players, technical staff, and professional employees—must also show respect. Because it benefits you, but I leave it to the judgment of 80 million what those who step out of moral bounds and use insulting language, even going so far as to call our children by other names, are serving. Our nation already understands them. We will protect our children. Just as they have brought us successive successes over the past two years, I hope they will continue to bring these successes to our nation in the future."
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO SAY WHATEVER COMES FROM OUR HEARTS"
Commenting on the criticisms, Hacıosmanoğlu said, "Now, as for speeches I don't understand, only those who cannot reflect what is in their hearts onto their tongues sneak phrases into insidious speeches. Those carrying a burden on their backs and crushed under its weight, lacking the courage to speak from their hearts, respond only with gestures. As for us, our heart is this, our tongue is this. We will continue to say whatever comes from our hearts with our tongues."
"IN WHICH COUNTRY IN THE WORLD DOES SUCH AN OUTRAGE EXIST?"
Stating that the boundaries of criticism have been crossed, Hacıosmanoğlu addressed the Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek, saying, "He was appointed to the Ministry of Justice with the approval of our esteemed President, and I believe he will provide outstanding service to this country. But of course, we will comment, write, and draw, but we will not cross moral boundaries. I especially request that they look at all examples worldwide; in which country in the world does such an outrage exist? I believe a legal regulation needs to be made urgently in this regard."
"WHY BRING THESE DIVISIONS INTO THE TEAM?"
Reacting to allegations about the team, Hacıosmanoğlu said, "Now, when we look at the statistics, we'll mention them, and then you say, 'Why are you mentioning the statistics?' Ultimately, when you look at the statistics from the last two matches, you took 65 shots. Did you play badly? Could we have been more cautious? That's a separate issue. Of course, there are aspects to criticize, but that's not my job. We respect those who criticize, of course they will criticize. What do they want? They want better. You have to agree with them, but we are addressing those who push moral boundaries."
Referring to claims of problems within the team, Hacıosmanoğlu said, "We are speaking to those who say there are people fighting among themselves in this team. We are speaking to those trying to label 'Our Children' with another name, to those immoral people. We are speaking to those who say the team captain runs the team. Why bring these divisions into the team? You've been at it since the first match. But with God's permission, these children will shame them all."
"THERE IS NO PRESSURE ON THE CHILDREN"
Stating that there is no pressure on the national football players, Hacıosmanoğlu concluded his remarks by saying, "There was only a discomfort caused by these immoral criticisms. Apart from that, there is no pressure on the children."