Calhanoglu and Akturkoglu Apologize After World Cup Exit
The A National Football Team, which failed to advance from the group stage in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, has returned to Turkey. Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who found themselves at the center of criticism due to their performance in the tournament, have made a statement.
The National Team has returned to Turkey. Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kerem Aktürkoğlu have shared updates.
The National Football Team of Turkey, which failed to advance from the group stage in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, has returned to Turkey.
The delegation of the National Team also included Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, the President of the Turkish Football Federation. Accompanied by security measures, the National Team departed from the airport.
Reactions have been snowballing to the performance of Turkey, which bid farewell to the World Cup in its second match. Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kerem Aktürkoğlu have made statements.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu: "We were unable to fulfill our hopes on the field. Please forgive us."
Hakan Çalhanoğlu shared the following:
'There's so much I want to say today, but no words can adequately describe the disappointment and sorrow I'm feeling.
We've been dreaming about these days for a long time. We had a deep desire to represent our country in the best possible way at the World Cup and to instill an unforgettable sense of pride in our people. Regrettably, we were unable to achieve this.
Every day, I've felt the immense pride and responsibility that comes with wearing this jersey. And today, as the captain of this team, I am the first to take responsibility for this outcome.
I know... You're upset. You're hurt. You're angry. Some of the criticism we received was harsh, while some was completely justified. Because everyone who wears this jersey carries the hopes of this country on their shoulders. We failed to deliver on those hopes on the field. I feel the weight of this responsibility more than anyone else on the team.
Unfortunately, our long-awaited journey to the World Cup has ended here. We know we've broken the hearts of millions of people who believed in this dream and shared our joys and sorrows. For this, we sincerely apologize to our people.
But football isn't just about victories. Sometimes the biggest test is being able to pick yourself up from where you've fallen.
Just as I was proud to be your son when we won yesterday, I bow my head in defeat today with the same sense of belonging, and I say with the same pride, 'I am a son of this country.'
This sacred flag has always taught us never to give up.
We will work harder. We will come back stronger. We will continue to fight to the end to complete our unfinished story today, to do justice to this badge, to give hope again to everyone who believes in us, and to give our children the pride they deserve.
Thank you to everyone who did not leave us alone today.
May you forgive us 🇹🇷'
Kerem Aktürkoğlu: "I apologize for not being able to provide our people with the joy they were anticipating."
Kerem Aktürkoğlu expressed the following:
'We're sorry, deeply sorry. We're well aware of the profound disappointment our people are feeling. We went to the World Cup with grand dreams. We waited 24 years for this opportunity; undoubtedly, we should have done better, but we didn't, we couldn't. We failed to meet the expectations. Beyond this, nothing else really matters. Just as we receive applause when we succeed, we will face criticism when we fail and we will take lessons from this. Speaking for myself, I apologize to our country and our people for not being able to bring them the joy they were hoping for. Please forgive us.'
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