Arda Guler has offered his apology to Turkish supporters following their early elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
Turkey entered the tournament as one of the ‘dark horses’ capable of springing up a surprise run given the amount of talents possessed in the team.
Guler spearheads a very talented side that also includes Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz, Hakan Cahanoglu of Inter Milan, Baris Alper Yilmaz of Galatasaray and the likes.
However, their journey ended in disappointment as their elimination was confirmed after just two matches, following a 1-0 loss to 10-man Paraguay.
Turkey were the only side to not qualify from the group, as the United States, Australia and Paraguay all booked their spots in the Round of 32.
Speaking during an interview; Guler apologized for their disastrous run and promised better performances in upcoming tournaments.
“We want to apologize to our fans, we are ashamed. We all play for top clubs and should be showing a completely different level at this tournament”, Guler said.
Turkey concluded their campaign and bowed out in flying fashion with a 3-2 win over the USMNT in their final group game.
Auston Trusty opened scoring for a much-changed USA side in the third minute of the clash, but Guler pulled Turkey level in the 10th minute.
Yilmaz then completed the comeback before halftime, although Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT were back on level terms in the 49th minute through Sebastian Berhalter.
The game looked to be heading towards a draw and no win for Turkey at the World Cup, until Kaan Ayhan struck on the stroke of full time to seal victory at the death and ensure that Turkey bow out on a good note.
The Crescent Stars will be hoping to make amends for this disappointment by qualifying for the 2028 European Championships and going on a solid run, with the core of the current squad still expected to be much available.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
