Turkey’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment despite a spirited 3-2 victory over the United States, with Real Madrid star Arda Güler among several players to openly acknowledge the team’s underwhelming overall performance.
Although Turkey concluded Group D with a morale-boosting win, the result was not enough to mask an early elimination that came after defeats in their opening two matches against Australia and Paraguay. The side finished the group stage on three points, exiting the tournament before the final round of fixtures had meaningful implications for their progression.
Rather than focusing on the final victory, key figures within the squad offered unusually candid reflections on their overall showing, with Güler leading the self-assessment.
Güler Accepts Criticism After Mixed Tournament
Speaking to TRT, Güler made a blunt assessment of both his own form and that of the team, refusing to deflect responsibility despite scoring in the tournament.
“The criticism is justified, whatever they say, they are right. I did not perform well, and none of us performed well.”
The Real Madrid midfielder, who became the youngest Turkish player to score at a World Cup during the tournament, said the squad must now use the experience as motivation for future competitions.
“We have to accept that, and we hope to make up for it in future tournaments.”
Güler’s comments reflected a wider sentiment within the Turkish camp following their early exit, with several senior players echoing similar views.
Ayhan and Kökçü Echo Team Frustration
Defender Kaan Ayhan, who scored Turkey’s decisive goal in the 3-2 win over the United States, also admitted that the victory did little to ease the disappointment of elimination.
While acknowledging the significance of scoring at a World Cup, he stressed the emotional weight of the situation.
“Not everyone gets the chance to score a goal in the World Cup, but honestly, we couldn’t celebrate much.”
Ayhan added that the team intended to take full responsibility for their earlier shortcomings in the group stage.
“We will be our own harshest critics for the points we lost in the first two matches. It was a very emotional game for all of us.”
Midfielder Orkun Kökçü also delivered a similarly frank assessment, describing the team’s final performance as an attempt to restore pride after a difficult campaign.
“Pride and honor were at stake.”
He went further in urging reflection within the squad, calling for a review of the mistakes made throughout the tournament.
“We must be self-critical of the mistakes we made.”
“Farewell to Victory” Captures Turkish Mood
Turkish media summed up the national mood with the phrase “Farewell to Victory”, highlighting the contrast between their final match success and their overall elimination.
While the win against the United States provided a positive conclusion on paper, it could not erase the impact of earlier defeats that ultimately defined their campaign.
The narrative in the Turkish press also turned attention towards tactical decisions made by head coach Vincenzo Montella. According to reports, his decision to make seven changes to the starting line-up in a single match drew scrutiny, with some outlets suggesting such adjustments may have been better introduced earlier in the tournament.
Despite the late victory offering some consolation, Turkey’s players and media alike appeared united in the view that the campaign will be remembered more for missed opportunities than for their final-day triumph.
