Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen has publicly recognized the Turkish national team following its successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Nigerian striker marked the achievement by sharing a tribute to Turkish defender and club teammate Abdulkerim Bardakci.
Turkey secured its tournament place after a 1–0 victory against Kosovo in Pristina on Tuesday. Kerem Aktürkoglu provided the decisive second-half goal, completing the European qualification campaign successfully. The result positioned Turkey among the qualifying European sides, alongside Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The milestone marks the country’s first return to the global tournament since 2002, when the national squad reached the semi-finals.
Immediately following the match, Osimhen uploaded a repost on his verified Instagram account showing Bardakci displaying the Turkish flag. The caption included clapping hands and a heart emoji. Osimhen’s acknowledgment reflects the established on-field partnership between the two players at Galatasaray and highlights the integration of international talent within the Turkish league. The defender has featured regularly for Turkey during recent qualification cycles, providing defensive stability alongside Europe-based colleagues.
For the upcoming tournament, Turkey has been drawn into Group D. The national team will compete against Paraguay, Australia, and the United States during the opening stage. Federation officials have confirmed that preparation schedules, including centralized training camps and international friendlies, will be published shortly to standardize player readiness. Performance monitoring and sports science protocols are being adjusted to accommodate the increased match load associated with the 2026 tournament structure.
The Turkish Football Federation will now finalize travel arrangements, training facility agreements, and administrative requirements ahead of the summer competition. Coaching and medical staff will maintain direct communication with club directors to manage player workloads and ensure full fitness before the national training camp commences.
