Turkey out of World Cup 2026: "I'll tell you whose hand is in whose pocket" — Federation President Haziosmanoglu
The Turkish team exited the World Cup 2026 early after losing to Australia (0:2) and Paraguay (0:1) respectively. In that context, the president of the federation, Ibrahim Hajiosmanoglu, responded publicly by saying, "I will say what is in my mind; I can also say who has a hand in whose pocket in the last 40 years of Turkish football." He also said that there are no plans to remove head coach Vincenzo Montella from the position.
The president of the Turkish Football Federation, Ibrahim Hagiosmanoglu, reacted directly to the team's disappointing performance at the World Cup 2026, rather than mildly. Turkey lost to Australia (0:2) and Paraguay (0:1) in the two opening matches and was eliminated before the play-offs.
"Those who can't say what's on their mind openly speak in the middle of cross-meanings. Those who carry a burden get crushed under it. They don't have the courage to say what they really think, so they answer differently. But we say what's on our mind. I'm 60 years old. Ask me about any moment in the last 40 years of Turkish football — any day, any hour, I'll tell you whose hand is in someone's pocket. It's the national team. "Can the president of the federation go like this? I have to get used to it," said Arina.
Earlier he had also publicly supported head coach Vincenzo Montella and made it clear that he had no intention of changing the coach after this failure in a world-class tournament.