VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Turkey is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2002 and, despite the long absence, captain Hakan Calhanoglu has made some bulletin-board worthy comments about his team’s first opponent.
“I think we will dominate (Saturday), the game, because we have more qualities and a more talented team,” Calhanoglu said Friday of Australia, Turkey's opponent at BC Place. “So we will see (Saturday) what happens.”
Turkey has had its share of continental success throughout much of this century but did not qualify for the past five World Cups. Australia is playing in its sixth consecutive World Cup and advanced to the knockout stage in Qatar in 2022.
“He’s allowed to have his own opinion,” Australia midfielder Aiden O’Neill said Friday about Calhanoglu’s comments. “We’ve got quality players on our team, too, so we’re ready.”
Calhanoglu, a 32-year-old midfielder who won a Serie A championship this season with Inter Milan, and Turkish manager Vincenzo Montella also complimented the Socceroos.
“I would like to use some of their techniques because I think they are interesting techniques,” Montella said.
Ben Kule is a student in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
Australia's Aiden O'Neill, left, and head coach Tony Popovic listen to a question during a press conference, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Turkey. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Australia's head coach Tony Popovic answers a question during a press conference, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Turkey. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Turkey's Hakan Calhanoglu warms up during a training session in Vancouver, British Colombia, Friday, June 12, 2026, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Australia. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
