Hakan çalhanoğlu says Australia will be difficult before opener

hakan çalhanoğlu said Turkey expects a difficult match against Australia before its first match in the 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası. He said the squad had waited for this moment for a long time and would not use the hot weather as an excuse.

“Onların güçlü yönlerini biliyoruz ancak bizim de hızımız, dinamizmimiz ve bireysel kalitemiz var. Kendi oyunumuzu sahaya yansıtırsak istediğimiz sonucu alabiliriz.”

Australia’s physical edge

Çalhanoğlu pointed to Australia’s physical strength and set-piece threat as the main problems Turkey expects to face. He also said Australia would bring a defensive shape and counterattacks, while Turkey will try to impose its own game on the field.

He added that Turkey has speed, dynamism and individual quality, along with many players in top leagues and at major clubs. The captain also pushed back on Australia’s talk about experience, saying it motivated the team more.

Turkey’s opening test

Turkey’s buildup has centered on that first test, with Australia, Paraguay and the United States all named as opponents that will challenge the squad in different ways. Çalhanoğlu said Turkey would approach each match step by step and keep its concentration.

“Kendi gücümüzü biliyoruz. Sahada bunu göstermek istiyoruz.”

İsmail Yüksek said the team needed to remove its excitement because the tournament had started for them, while Ozan Kabak said Turkey had completed its Australia analysis and was well prepared. The opening stage now turns on whether Turkey can match the physical battle it expects and still play the game it wants.