23.06.2026 11:20
It was revealed that the Turkish National Football Team is not required to camp in Arizona for the 2026 World Cup. Contrary to the Turkish Football Federation's defense that "FIFA directed us here," it was claimed that the federation did not exercise its right to object in order to avoid extra costs.
The reasons behind the failure of the Turkish National Football Team, which bid farewell to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the group stage, continue to be debated.
After the physical wear and tear experienced by the national team camping under the scorching heat of Arizona throughout the tournament, a striking claim regarding the choice of the training camp came to light.
"FIFA FORCED US" DEFENSE COLLAPSES CLAIM
Turkish Football Federation officials had previously stated that FIFA determined the training camp in Arizona due to the team's qualification for the World Cup through the playoffs.
However, according to emerging claims, it was learned that FIFA did not mandate the Arizona Athletic Grounds facility but only listed it among recommended training camps. Despite this, it was alleged that the TFF did not take any action to change the camp location.
COST CALCULATION CLAIM
The most striking part of the claims was the financial aspect. Federations choosing a different training center than those suggested by FIFA are required to cover part of the additional accommodation and organization costs. For this reason, it was alleged that the TFF accepted the Arizona option to avoid extra costs and did not seek alternatives.
OUR RIVALS FOLLOWED A DIFFERENT PATH
It is reported that many countries competing in the World Cup did not accept FIFA's initial proposals. Countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Japan, and Austria reportedly took on extra costs to set up training camps suited to their own needs.
FRANCE'S EXAMPLE STOOD OUT
It was reported that the French National Team abandoned its initially planned training camp and moved to a different facility, preparing special training fields that matched the surface characteristics of the stadium where they would play their matches. This reportedly reduced travel time and kept the players' physical load to a minimum.
CRITICISM GROWS
Following the Turkish National Team's early exit from the tournament after defeats to Australia and Paraguay, not only on-field performance but also organizational choices have come under scrutiny. Whether the Arizona camp decision was truly mandatory and the federation's role in the process seems likely to remain a topic of debate in the coming days.