Çalhanoğlu asks forgiveness as Türkiye bow out of World Cup

World Cup campaign ends with USA win

Türkiye beat the United States in the final Group D match Saturday, but it changed nothing. The team was already eliminated after the 1–0 defeat to Paraguay in the second match (2). A squad valued at 473.7 million euros, Euro 2024 quarter-finalists, out at the group stage.

Montella stays despite the fallout

The Turkish press did not hold back. "You cannot draw lessons from a failed picture with 'it wasn't meant to be' rhetoric," one outlet wrote, targeting both manager Vincenzo Montella and federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu (2). Hacıosmanoğlu has publicly backed Montella to continue. The federation president stated the coach will remain in charge (2).

Çalhanoğlu asks fans for forgiveness

Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu posted on social media after the elimination: "Hakkınızı helal edin", asking supporters to forgive him for any failure to meet their expectations (3). No grand statement, just a plea for understanding.

Lincoln Henrique joins Bursaspor

Former Fenerbahçe midfielder Lincoln Henrique is back in Turkey. The Brazilian has signed with 1.Lig side Bursaspor (1). He leaves Fenerbahçe behind and drops to the second tier.