Turkey captain says team will ‘dominate’ Australia in Vancouver’s first World Cup game

Australia's head coach Tony Popovic answers a question during a press conference, Friday, June 12, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Turkey. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Turkey is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2002 and, despite the long absence, captain Hakan Calhanoglu has made some bulletin-board-worthy comments about his team’s first opponent.

“I think we will dominate (Saturday) the game because we have more qualities and a more talented team,” Calhanoglu said Friday of Australia, Turkey’s opponent at BC Place. “So we will see (Saturday) what happens.”

Turkey has had its share of continental success throughout much of this century, but did not qualify for the past five World Cups. Australia is playing in its sixth consecutive World Cup and advanced to the knockout stage in Qatar in 2022.

“He’s allowed to have his own opinion,” Australia midfielder Aiden O’Neill said Friday about Calhanoglu’s comments. “We’ve got quality players on our team, too, so we’re ready.”

Calhanoglu, a 32-year-old midfielder who won a Serie A championship this season with Inter Milan, and Turkish manager Vincenzo Montella also complimented the Socceroos.

“I would like to use some of their techniques because I think they are interesting techniques,” Montella said.

This article was originally written by Ben Kule, The Associated Press, on June 12, 2026