FIFA World Cup 2026: Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu says his ‘more talented’ team will ‘dominate’ Australia

Turkey is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2002 and despite the long absence, captain Hakan Calhanoglu has made some valuable comments about his team’s first opponent.

«I think we will dominate the match (Saturday) because we have more qualities and a more talented team,» Calhanoglu said on Friday about Australia, Turkey’s opponent at BC Place. “So we’ll see (Saturday) what happens.”

Turkey has had its share of continental success for much of this century, but has failed to qualify for the past five World Cups. Australia will play the World Cup for the sixth time in a row and advance to the knockout phase in Qatar in 2022.

«He’s allowed to have his own opinion,» Australian midfielder Aiden O’Neill said on Friday about Calhanoglu’s comments. “We also have quality players in our team, so we are ready.”

Calhanoglu, a 32-year-old midfielder who won the Serie A title with Inter Milan this season, 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.

Published on June 13, 2026