Minister Bak sets a date for the World Cup: Hopefully in 24 years

In the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final, the National Football Team defeated Romania 1-0 at Beşiktaş Park. The national team will face the winner of the Slovakia-Kosovo match in the final round.

Following the match against Romania, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu made statements to the press.

"Hopefully we will participate in the World Cup after 24 years"

Starting his remarks by congratulating the national players, Minister Bak said, "They have made our nation happy. These things happen step by step. We will wait for the winner of the Slovakia-Kosovo match. We have a young generation. We have players in great form. This is reflected in the national team. Romania played a bit defensively today. It might not have been a very high-tempo match, but the result is what matters. Hopefully, we will pass Tuesday's match and participate in the World Cup after 24 years. We believe in this with all our hearts," he stated.

"Our President congratulated the coach and the players"

Stating that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan follows football very closely, Osman Aşkın Bak said, "He called a moment ago and congratulated the coach and the players. He expressed his joy. Football is an important phenomenon that mobilizes the masses. We did good work in the group, and we did good work in the Nations League. We believe they will make us even happier. We believe they will participate in the World Cup and do great things there as well. The athletes and our head coach invited our President to the next match. Hopefully, we will go to the World Cup with a good result. We believe in this with all our hearts. Our President is very closely involved with the athletes. The picture he presents makes us proud. We have experienced good results in basketball and volleyball; hopefully, we will achieve success in football this year and aspire to go to the World Cup after 24 years," he said.

"Everything is for a beautiful and strong Turkey"

Minister Bak also conveyed his belief that the current national team generation will achieve even better things, adding, "But it is not over yet. We will go to the World Cup by winning on Tuesday. This success suits these children, it suits this nation. Everything is for a beautiful and strong Turkey. It does not matter who comes in the next round," he said.

İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu: "The most high-character squad in history"

Mentioning that it was a difficult match, TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu said, "Romania closed down completely, but our master players unlocked the game. We have believed from the very beginning that we will go to the USA. We will do great things there too. But one must be cautious. We want to win our last match. This is the most high-character squad in history. I thank the coach for creating a family environment. We will reach our goal in one more step. 12 days before the congress, my 9-year-old daughter said, 'Take charge of football, let's be world champions.' We finished 3rd the last time we went. You might just see us holding the handle of the cup and returning from America. May God grant it. These children deserve it. They will do great things there as well," he said.