Turkey’s World Cup Success: Hakan Şükür’s Country Wins Bronze

Staff Report: PNN

A memorable moment occurred in Turkish football history when Hakan Şükür scored a goal just 11 seconds into the match, leading Turkey to defeat South Korea in the third-place playoff of the World Cup and win the bronze medal. This goal was recorded as the fastest in World Cup history.

After the match, Turkey’s coach Vincenzo Montella expressed his joy, saying, “I am immensely proud of my players. I would not change a single one of them. Everyone who accomplishes this achieves the World Cup dream. We have fulfilled our dream. This feeling is indescribable – it is the pinnacle of World Cup football.”

For the Turkish team, currently ranked 22nd in FIFA rankings, this represents a major achievement. Although they had repeatedly failed to qualify for past World Cups, this year’s team was particularly talented. The squad was anchored by emerging stars Arda Güler (Real Madrid) and Keyanan Yıldız (Juventus), alongside experienced players and captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu.

The President of the Turkish Football Federation, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, had mentioned that if the team qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Montella would be granted Turkish citizenship. Montella himself stated, “I feel like a Turk, I think like a Turk; the passport is merely a formality for me.”

During the team celebrations, Montella was doused with water, reflecting the players’ love and respect for their coach. He also praised the Kosovo team, stating, “We are two friendly countries. They fought brilliantly to challenge us.”

Turkey’s World Cup campaign group includes Australia, Paraguay, and co-host nations Canada and Mexico. Winning the bronze in the World Cup adds a new chapter to Turkey’s football history, giving pride to both the players and supporters.