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The time of the "golden generation": With Yildiz and Guler there are no borders for Turkey

2026-06-12 21:05:59Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Yildiz and Guler

The Turkish team returns to the World Cup 24 years later with third place in 2002 on the horizon.

The "golden generation", with Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz and Can Uzun at the forefront, has unleashed "Turkish passion".

"It's like a dream. 24 years without playing in the World Cup is a very long time, especially for our country," player Ferdi Kadioglu admits to TRT World.

"It's been my biggest dream since I was a child. I wasn't even born when we last went to the World Cup," adds Arda Guler.

The team led by Rustu Reçber, Hakan Sukur, Hasan Sas, Nihat Kahveci… set the standard very high: they finished third in Japan and Korea in 2002.

"They have a great opportunity to make history and become unforgettable figures," says former Barcelona player Rustu.

The challenge, they share a group with the USA, Paraguay and Australia, does not seem to intimidate them.

"This team, known as the golden generation, demonstrated its potential by reaching the quarter-finals of the European Championship. Our goal is to surpass our limits at the World Cup," admits Kadioglu, who praises Vincenzo Montella: "From day one, he made us believe that we could beat any team and that anything was possible. He took us to the European Championship, we beat Germany after many years, we beat Croatia...".

"It's a gift to our country, but this is just the beginning," Guler insists.

"Our first objective is, without a doubt, to qualify for the next stage, but we are not afraid of anyone. For two years we have shown the world that we are at a higher level and I know that we can do even better," emphasizes the Real Madrid player.

Montella's message has resonated with the team.

"We are a brave team, but we are in a very equal group. We should not be complacent. Our dreams are big, but we must take them step by step," the coach emphasized.

Fatih Terim, who led Turkey in three different periods (1993-96, 2005-09 and 2013-17), has joined the "Turkish passion".

"We need to get through the group stage in the best possible way and then think about the round of 16, the quarter-finals and beyond. I believe there are no limits for Turkey," the former coach emphasizes.

Guler and Yildiz fuel Terim's enthusiasm: "Thanks to them, Turkey is considered one of the most promising teams in the World Cup. Kenan wears the number '10' for Juventus and Arda has three seasons at Real Madrid. They are two extraordinary talents. In the future, they can compete for the Ballon d'Or and achieve great things for the country," he continued.

A "passion" that extends far beyond Turkey.

"My boys play in Italy, so I know Calhanoglu well. He is one of the best midfielders in the world. There is also Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, who is considered Juventus' best player. They have really good young players, so I hope Turkey goes very, very far," says Lilian Thuram, a World Cup winner with France in 1998.

Former national team coach Ersun Yanal fuels the euphoria: "We are the best team. Can we pull off a surprise? We can. Our team is not bad. I wouldn't be surprised if this team manages to pull off a surprise, like in 2002. They can do it. They have good qualities: creative players, organizers, game changers...".

The "golden generation" wants to shine.


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