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Montella go home! Türkiye team faces angry fan protest in Los Angeles

The team bus of the Türkiye national football team is seen upon arrival in San Jose, California, United States, June 17, 2026. (AA Photo)
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The team bus of the Türkiye national football team is seen upon arrival in San Jose, California, United States, June 17, 2026. (AA Photo)
June 24, 2026 01:53 PM GMT+03:00

Angry Turkish fans confronted the national squad, coach Vincenzo Montella and federation president Ibrahim Hacisomanoglu outside their Los Angeles hotel after Türkiye was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage.

The national team arrived in Los Angeles ahead of its third and final group match against the United States, scheduled for the evening of June 25.

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Fan anger follows early World Cup exit

The protest came after back-to-back defeats against Australia and Paraguay ended Türkiye's hopes of moving on to the knockout stage.

The mood around the team remained tense as the squad checked into its hotel before the U.S. match.

Footage shared by journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu showed a group of Turkish fans waiting outside and reacting strongly as members of the delegation arrived.

Türkiye's Mert Muldur (L) and Orkun Kokcu arrive at the team hotel in San Jose, California, United States, June 17, 2026. (AA Photo)
Türkiye's Mert Muldur (L) and Orkun Kokcu arrive at the team hotel in San Jose, California, United States, June 17, 2026. (AA Photo)

Protest targets federation, coach and players

During the protest, fans directed criticism at Hacisomanoglu, Montella and some players, including captain Hakan Calhanoglu.

One supporter shouted at Hacisomanoglu, "Come and threaten us!" while another called out to Calhanoglu, saying, "Are you a man, Hakan!"

The fans also voiced broader anger over the state of the national team, shouting, "We will not sacrifice you to three or five incompetent people!" and "Shame on you!"

'Montella go home' heard outside hotel

Montella was also directly targeted by the fans, who chanted, "Montella go home!" as frustration over Türkiye's World Cup campaign spilled out in front of the hotel.

Other slogans heard during the protest included, "Türkiye is bigger than three or five contractors!" and "Be ashamed!"

Despite being eliminated, Türkiye will play its final Group D match against the United States in Los Angeles.

June 24, 2026 02:14 PM GMT+03:00
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