16.06.2026 08:50
Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu responded to the criticisms following the National Team's defeat against Paraguay, stating that there should be no 'vulture-like or hyena-like' behavior towards the team. Hacıosmanoğlu said he respects constructive criticism but reacted to those who present things that are not there as if they are. He also criticized Fatih Terim's statements, saying, 'It did not suit the Emperor.'
The Turkish National Football Team, which will face Paraguay in the second match of Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, began preparations for this match with a training session at Arizona Athletic Grounds. Before the training, Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu made statements to the press.
Hacıosmanoğlu, saying that they disappointed the Turkish people who gathered in squares in Turkey on the morning of the match, stated, "When you watch the match, even if you play 100 matches, you probably wouldn't encounter such a match. First of all, I apologize to our noble nation on behalf of both the team and the staff. These things have not happened to us for the first time. We have participated in international tournaments 9 times, and 8 of them started with a defeat. This is not an excuse, but the statistics say so. We have full faith in Our Boys. They have that talent. There is no such statistic in the matches played so far. It hasn't happened, it doesn't mean it won't happen. These boys recently played in the quarter-finals of the European Championship. For the first time in history, they advanced to the Nations League A, and these boys and the technical staff brought us back to the World Cup after 24 years. I thank them. They are a generation that will play 3-4 tournaments. While these facts are clear and we have just played our first match, we have 2 more matches ahead. Of course, we welcome constructive criticism, which we find very valuable, with pleasure and respect. Your friend tells you the truth, your enemy does not. I thank them. Our Boys will rise again. They will rise with the prayers of our mothers and the affection of our children," he said.
"NO NEED TO PLAY VULTURE OR HYENA" Responding to the criticisms, President Hacıosmanoğlu said, "We are in a place like a desert. In the desert, there are hyenas and vultures. Hyenas attack in packs from below. Vultures also scan, looking for 'Is there anyone with a broken leg from fighting?' It was also very good for the team's motivation in terms of morale. Were there so many hyenas and vultures among us? Those who awaited such an opportunity after the first match to attack, showing things that didn't happen as if they did, I refer them to the Turkish nation. But their efforts will be in vain. We have the prayers of our mothers and those young children. A mother and father from Switzerland came with their 5-month-old baby. You may have seen them in the stands. They came to the hotel, and we showed them the necessary attention. Last night at 1:30 a.m., a family was standing in front of the hotel, in front of our camp. An aunt came with her children, her husband was also with her. She said, 'Mr. President, let me make home-cooked meals and bring them, their morale will improve.' That's why this national team is our team. We have two more matches ahead. There is no need to play vulture or hyena. Let's assume we are not successful in this tournament. This year, we were promoted to League A; we will play matches against Italy, France, and Belgium. Next year, the European Championship qualifiers will begin. After that, there is the World Cup, and then the European Championship again. These children are the ones who will play at least four tournaments together. What can we gain by tearing them down? Can we gain anything? I also refer the vultures and hyenas to the Turkish people. The prayers and curses of our mothers are enough for them," he said.
"IF YOU PLAY 100 MATCHES, YOU WON'T ENCOUNTER SUCH A RESULT" Stating that he spoke with the team, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu continued his words as follows:
"We talked, there is no need to go into details, but in a humorous way, I said, Temel is hanging on the gallows, and they ask, 'What is your last wish?' He said, 'Let this be a lesson to me.' All the friends are aware of the situation. If you play 100 matches, you won't encounter such a result. You will take 30 shots, enter the penalty area 50 times, and two of your shots will hit the post. They have 1.5 attacks, and you will concede 2 goals; there is no such thing, but it happens, it's part of life. These children have the strength to overcome this. They are young kids. We need to support them. It's not just needed today. When you go to the European Championship qualifiers tomorrow, will you go with a different team? You will go with them. It doesn't contribute to the process. We haven't lost anything; we played 1 match and lost. You have participated in these tournaments 9 times, 8 started with a defeat. There is no need to play vulture or hyena. Our nation sees the truth. Their prayers and support are enough for us. "
"I COULDN'T ASSOCIATE IT WITH FATIH HOCA, I WAS SAD" When reminded of the statements of former technical directors of the Turkish National Football Team, Fatih Terim and Şenol Güneş, Hacıosmanoğlu said, "I thank Şenol Hoca, I also spoke with him today. I did not feel the need to call Fatih Hoca. As for why I didn't feel the need, I thank him for the beginning of his speech and the statements he made up to the last paragraph. But it was this nation that gave him the nickname 'Emperor.' I would have wished for him to end that speech in a manner befitting an Emperor. I couldn't associate it with him at all, and I was also sad. Because if your nickname is emperor, talking about mysterious things there, saying 'The time will come for us to talk about these things too. Let's wait for two more matches. We will hold someone accountable.' Who will you hold accountable? It didn't suit Fatih Terim's stance, his wisdom. These children have no part in this. Will you hold the children accountable? Will you hold the technical staff accountable? Will you hold the management or the president accountable? Say it then, so they can prepare. This is not a place for accountability. That's why I couldn't associate it with him at all," he evaluated.
"THE FOOTBALLERS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE" Stating that they discussed everything with the footballers, President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu said, "I have flown over 60 hours in one month. Ultimately, God has granted me this duty. While talking to them, I told our player friends, 'Don't see me as president, I am speaking as your older brother.' We will give the best answer to these vultures and hyenas, but these brothers need to give the best answer on the field. They are also aware of this issue. Of course, we are talking. Ultimately, I say here that we may also have mistakes, both technically, tactically, and administratively. We respect those who make positive, constructive criticism," he said.
"WHOEVER NEEDS TO PAY THE BILL, WILL PAY WHEN THE TIME COMES" Emphasizing that the team should be supported, Hacıosmanoğlu said, "Whoever needs to pay the bill, will pay when the time comes, including me. Let's get through this period; we have two matches ahead. "
If we win both matches, we still have a chance to advance from the group. Spain draws with Cape Verde. There are interesting results. Now, will they be heavily criticized in Spain? Italy hasn't qualified for the World Cup in the last three editions. Do they do something like that? We've only played one match, it shows how eager they are, as if we wish this team would fail so we could make a move. This has been a great source of motivation for these kids. We firmly believe that these kids will give the necessary answer on the field with solid steps. Let's also look at it from this perspective: taking a hit in the first match here is good. There is a chance to recover here, but if you get hit in the knockout stages after advancing, there's no recovery. May Almighty Allah be our protector and helper," he concluded his words.