Hakan Çalhanoğlu: It will be a difficult match, we are aware of that

The National Football Team will face Australia tomorrow at 07:00 Turkish time in their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada. Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu made statements at a media event held at Killarney Park ahead of this match. Stating that the moment everyone has been waiting for has arrived, Çalhanoğlu said, "We have waited a long time, we start tomorrow. The preparation process went well. We are looking forward to it. We have gotten used to the heat. We want to play our game without making excuses. After all, every country will play in this heat. We need to adapt. We have prepared for this match in the best way possible. Without making excuses, we will play our own game and hopefully, we will win."

Emphasizing that they respect their opponents and do not underestimate any of them, the 32-year-old footballer said, "We have infinite respect for our opponents. We do not underestimate any opponent. We know they are a physical team. We need to be very careful, especially on set pieces. Our team is more talented. We will also showcase our own strength."

"We do not underestimate any opponent"

When asked about the comments made by Australian players regarding the National Football Team, Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu said, "I saw those statements. Our team has both talented and experienced players. Our team consists of players who play at a high level. We do not underestimate any opponent. They know us, we don't know them. We will go into the match 100 percent ready. Those interviews reached our ears. It is better for us that way. The team is already ambitious."

Stating that he is proud to be the captain, Çalhanoğlu commented, "I thank my teammates for this. They help me with everything. It is the first World Cup for all of us. We gained that experience at the European Championship. Hopefully, we will represent our country better in this tournament than we did two years ago."

"We want to enjoy the tournament"

When asked what Head Coach Vincenzo Montella told the team about the World Cup, the national footballer replied, "He experienced it during his playing days. He said it is a very big tournament. The organization is not quite like the European Championship, but we need to keep up. Everything is a bit different. Both the weather conditions and the organization are a bit different. We want to enjoy the tournament. After all, we qualified after 24 years. At the same time, we want to represent our country in the best way possible."

Stating that the interest from foreign fans also makes them happy, Hakan Çalhanoğlu said, "After all, everyone knows we are a good team, they know the players. This is important for us. It means we are on the right track. I thank our Turkish fans who welcomed us there. They did not leave us alone. It will be the same in this tournament. Our goal is to represent our country in the best way possible, to do what is worthy of us, and to put Turkey even more in the spotlight."

"It will be a difficult match, we are aware of that"

The 32-year-old footballer added that he spoke about Australia with his Inter teammate Manuel Akanji. Pointing out that Australia is a physical team, Çalhanoğlu concluded his words by saying, "It will be a difficult match, we are aware of that. We need to showcase our own talent, our own strength. Whether it is me, Arda, it doesn't matter. All my teammates are good and ready. Because we came this far as a team. That is why the team is at the forefront."