“They Can Be Afraid of Us”: Kökçü and Aktürkoğlu Set Fearless World Cup Tone for Turkey
Speaking from Turkey’s pre-World Cup training base in Arizona, Orkun Kökçü and Kerem Aktürkoğlu delivered a statement that went far beyond routine pre-tournament optimism. The two stars made it clear that Turkey is not traveling to the 2026 FIFA World Cup just to participate – they intend to unsettle traditional powers and challenge deep into the tournament. According to them, the Crescent-Stars are ready to become the team nobody wants to face.
The media session in Arizona carried a special weight. It comes as Turkey prepares for its first World Cup appearance in 24 years, a return to football’s biggest stage after more than two decades of waiting. The path to the tournament was secured in dramatic fashion in April, when Turkey edged Kosovo 1-0 in a tense play-off final. Fittingly, it was a moment crafted by the very duo sitting behind the microphones in Arizona – Aktürkoğlu scoring the decisive goal from a precise assist by Kökçü.
Kökçü Embraces the Dark-Horse Tag
Midfield orchestrator Orkun Kökçü did nothing to soften the bold expectations that have been building around this Turkish squad. Instead, he leaned directly into the narrative that Turkey could emerge as one of the surprise packages of the World Cup.
“I agree with those who view us as a ‘dark horse’ in this tournament,” Kökçü told reporters, visibly calm yet confident. He stressed that the quality and depth of the current roster is no accident. “Our squad is packed with top-tier, quality players. We have individuals capable of producing a moment of magic out of nowhere at any given second. Quite frankly, they can be afraid of us.”
For Kökçü, born and raised in the Netherlands, this World Cup carries a deeply personal significance. He grew up watching the 2010 final as a young fan, while listening to older family members relive the story of Turkey’s golden run to third place at the 2002 World Cup. Those memories, he said, shaped his ambitions. He recalled sitting in front of the television and imagining himself in a Turkish shirt on that same stage. “I used to dream that one day I would experience this stage with Turkey. Now we are finally on this platform, and I hope we can recreate that history.”
Aktürkoğlu: Injury Behind Him, Focus on Impact
If Kökçü’s words delivered a psychological warning shot to future opponents, Kerem Aktürkoğlu provided the sporting reassurance that Turkey’s attack will be at full strength. The 27‑year‑old forward confirmed that the injury scare he suffered earlier in the preparations in Istanbul is firmly behind him.
“There is no injury anymore, thank God we’ve moved past it,” he said. “We are acutely aware of what the entire country expects from us. Simply qualifying shouldn’t be considered the ultimate success for a nation like ours. We want to showcase our footballing identity on the world stage.”
Aktürkoğlu, who has gradually evolved from a pure winger into a versatile forward, underlined his tactical flexibility – a key asset for coach Vincenzo Montella in managing different types of opponents. While he still considers the flank his natural habitat, he has grown increasingly comfortable as a central striker. “I have no complaints; I feel great. The most important thing is contributing to the team, and I feel highly effective in the forward position.”
A Lisbon Partnership Translated to the National Team
Both Kökçü and Aktürkoğlu ply their trade at club level for Portuguese giants Benfica, and they were keen to highlight how their shared daily environment in Lisbon has deepened their understanding in the national team. That synergy was already evident in the decisive play-off goal against Kosovo, and it now forms one of Turkey’s main offensive weapons.
“We are preparing in a highly focused yet enjoyable environment,” Kökçü noted, pointing out how quickly Aktürkoğlu adapted after his move to Portugal. “We’ve built an incredible understanding both on and off the pitch. But the ultimate story is the one we want to write right here at the World Cup.”
The pair also spoke about the practical advantages of their club bond. Training together every week has sharpened their timing, allowed them to anticipate each other’s movements, and built a natural chemistry that is difficult to replicate in short national team camps. For Turkey, this connection offers a ready-made creative axis through midfield and attack – something that can be decisive in tight, tactical World Cup matches.
Adapting to Arizona and Eyeing North American Conditions
Having already spent considerable time in the United States last year during the FIFA Club World Cup with Benfica, both players are familiar with the climate and travel demands in North America. That experience, they believe, will help Turkey manage the challenges of heat, long distances, and varying pitches.
The intense Arizona sun and dry air have been a talking point, but according to the duo, the conditions are being turned into an advantage. Training in such demanding weather is viewed as an investment that should pay off once the tournament begins. The coaching staff has tailored sessions to balance high intensity with recovery, ensuring players build stamina without risking burnout before the opening match.
Crucially, Kökçü and Aktürkoğlu emphasized that despite the high stakes, the camp atmosphere remains positive and close‑knit. Players are pushing each other competitively in training but maintaining a sense of unity and enjoyment – a key ingredient in Turkey’s most successful tournaments in the past.
A Nation Remembering 2002 – and Demanding More
Turkey’s 2002 World Cup run, when a fearless side powered its way to a historic third place, still looms large in the national psyche. For many players in this current squad, those memories were their first real connection with elite-level football. Now, with a new generation fully established in Europe’s top leagues, the sense is that Turkey is no longer content to be a nostalgic story – they want to write a new chapter.
The expectations back home are enormous. After recent strong showings at continental level and the emergence of a core group of players performing at high-profile clubs, qualifying for the World Cup is seen not as an achievement in itself, but as a starting point. Kökçü’s and Aktürkoğlu’s words reflect that shift in mentality: Turkey is aiming to become a consistent presence in the knock-out rounds, not just a one-off surprise.
Tactical Identity Under Montella
Behind the bold quotes lies a clear tactical project. Under Vincenzo Montella, Turkey has been trying to forge a modern, proactive style of football built on technical quality, structured pressing, and speed in transition. Players like Kökçü, with his ability to dictate tempo and break lines with passing, and Aktürkoğlu, with his direct running and movement between the lines, are central to that vision.
Montella has experimented with different shapes – from variations of a 4‑3‑3 to systems with two forwards – and Aktürkoğlu’s willingness to operate both wide and centrally gives him important flexibility. This allows Turkey to switch between a possession-based approach against weaker sides and a more compact, counter-attacking game against heavyweights, without overhauling the starting XI.
The squad’s balance is another reason why the “dark horse” label feels justified. Alongside experienced leaders, a younger generation is pushing hard for minutes, creating internal competition in almost every position. This depth may prove decisive in a tournament where fatigue, suspensions and injuries can quickly derail a campaign.
Psychological Edge: Turning Respect into Fear
Much of what Kökçü and Aktürkoğlu expressed goes beyond tactics and fitness and touches on psychology. Their message – “they can be afraid of us” – is not just bravado. It is an effort to shift how both opponents and even Turkish supporters perceive this team.
Historically, Turkey has often thrived when cast as an underdog with nothing to lose. This squad, however, is trying to adjust that narrative: they still embrace the outsider label, but combine it with a belief that they can control games, impose their style, and dictate the emotional rhythm of matches. The players want opponents to know that facing Turkey means dealing with intensity, noise, and individual brilliance that can decide games in a heartbeat.
At the same time, the team is conscious of the fine line between confidence and complacency. Both Kökçü and Aktürkoğlu repeatedly returned to the importance of humility in preparation: working relentlessly in training, respecting every rival, and realizing that the World Cup punishes the slightest lapse in focus.
Supporters as the “Extra Player”
Though far from home, the team fully expects to feel the backing of a massive diaspora, especially in North America where Turkish communities are numerous and passionate. Kökçü and Aktürkoğlu spoke about how much energy they draw from seeing red shirts and flags in the stands, even thousands of kilometers away from Istanbul or Ankara.
For a squad that feeds off emotion, this traveling support could become a crucial asset. Whether in group matches or potential knock-out ties, the sound of Turkish chants and drums can transform neutral venues into something closer to home soil. Players are not only aware of this – they see it as a responsibility to match the passion in the stands with their performance on the pitch.
Looking Ahead: From Group Stage to Bigger Dreams
Turkey’s group-stage campaign is just around the corner, and the team aims to ride the positive momentum built during their recent European Championship run. The goal is clear: start strongly, secure progression as early as possible, and build confidence and rhythm heading into the knock-out rounds.
Inside the camp, the message is that there are no “easy games” at this level, but neither are there opponents to be feared blindly. The coaching staff is meticulously analyzing each rival, and players like Kökçü and Aktürkoğlu are eager to test themselves against the best defences and midfields the world has to offer. Every match is seen as a chance to reinforce the idea that Turkey belongs among the global elite, not on the fringes of the conversation.
A New Generation Ready to Own the Moment
As the countdown to kick-off continues, it is clear this Turkish side is stepping into the World Cup with a different mindset from previous campaigns. The blend of continental club experience, tactical clarity, and unshakable self-belief is shaping a group that does not merely hope to avoid embarrassment – it aims to create a legacy.
Kökçü’s childhood dream of emulating the heroes of 2002 and Aktürkoğlu’s determination to show the world Turkey’s footballing identity encapsulate the spirit of this team. They are not satisfied with flash-in-the-pan performances or narrow heroic defeats. Their ambition is to go deep into the tournament, to force the world’s footballing superpowers to adjust to them, and to ensure that, when the draw is made, nobody is pleased to see Turkey’s name in their path.
The question now is not whether Turkey deserves to be in the World Cup. It is how far this confident, tightly bonded, and unapologetically ambitious squad can go – and which giants might find, to their surprise, that the “dark horse” from the Crescent-Star nation is exactly the opponent they should have been afraid of.