Hakan Çalhanoğlu has shared an emotional reaction after the Turkey national football team secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the achievement as a lifelong dream fulfilled.
According to recent reports by Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, the midfielder expressed deep pride and joy following Turkey’s dramatic 1–0 victory over Kosovo national football team in the playoff final in Pristina.
Romano shared:
Hakan Çalhanoğlu: “My childhood dream has come true. We are going to the World Cup!”.
As earlier reported by Softfootball, the win ends a 24-year absence from football’s biggest stage, with Turkey last appearing at the World Cup in 2002, where they famously finished third.
An accompanying image symbolically captured Çalhanoğlu’s journey, showing him in the national team kit holding hands with his younger self, set against the Turkish flag—highlighting the personal significance of the moment.
Turkey’s qualification represents a major milestone for the nation, reigniting excitement among fans and marking a return to global prominence.
Meanwhile, Italy national football team have endured further disappointment, officially missing out on the 2026 tournament, extending their absence to three consecutive editions after also failing to qualify in 2018 and 2022.
