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Former French football star Lilian Thuram has voiced strong confidence in Türkiye’s potential at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the national team possesses the quality and balance needed to make a significant impact on football’s biggest stage.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Thuram highlighted several key players in the Turkish squad, including Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz. He described Calhanoglu as “one of the best midfielders in the world.”
Thuram said he expects Türkiye to perform strongly in the competition, noting the team’s blend of experience and emerging talent.
Thuram said he expects Türkiye to perform strongly in the competition, underlining that a well-balanced squad with both experience and youth can compete at the highest level. He also stressed that tournament success is difficult to predict, but teams with strong cohesion and belief can go far.
He referenced Türkiye’s third-place finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, saying that historic achievements of that scale can strengthen confidence within the current squad and inspire players to aim even higher on the global stage.
Thuram also commented on France’s national team, describing it as strong and composed of highly talented young players. However, he cautioned that having quality individuals does not guarantee tournament victory, stressing the importance of collective performance in major competitions.
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