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Turkish Football Federation announced Monday that all ticket revenue from Tuesday's 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifier against Georgia will be donated to the people of Gaza, while the national team's head coach expressed deep disappointment over a goalkeeper's unauthorized departure from camp.
The federation described the ongoing situation in Gaza as a "humanitarian tragedy" in a statement posted on its website, calling the events there "genocide occurring before the eyes of the entire world." The match is scheduled to kick off at 9:45 p.m. at Kocaeli Stadium.
"We condemn this genocide once again and invite all our supporters to support our team with one voice and one heart," the federation said.
The gesture comes as Türkiye seeks to advance in World Cup qualifying. The team currently sits in Group H of the European qualifiers, having not participated in football's premier tournament in recent cycles.
At a pre-match press conference, Italian coach Vincenzo Montella addressed the abrupt departure of national team goalkeeper Berke Ozer from training camp, calling it a significant letdown.
"This has caused great disappointment for me," Montella said. "We always talk about a family atmosphere among these players, and we have an incredible family environment that we achieve with the desire to be here. Players must always strive for the national team."
Montella revealed that Özer left camp without informing anyone after being excluded from the match squad—a decision the coach characterized as purely technical. According to Montella, Özer then issued a statement suggesting the coach's selections were influenced by which clubs players represented.
"If that were the case, Berke wouldn't have played in the USA camp," Montella said, referring to when he first called up the goalkeeper while he was playing for second-division Eyüpspor, before his transfer to Lille. "He played two matches there, and perhaps those performances helped him get such an opportunity."
The coach drew a contrast with veteran goalkeeper Mert Günok, who waited seven years between his first appearance in 2012 and his next chance to play for the national team. "Even though he's not playing now, he has a completely professional approach and supports everyone. I would have expected that," Montella said.
"We must protect this family atmosphere," he added. "Respect for the group is very important, more important than respect for me. I expect Berke to come out and say, 'I did these things.' Whoever it is, the peace and respect of our group is very important."
Montella emphasized the significance of Tuesday's match, describing it as a "final" that could determine the group's trajectory.
"We will face a team that is developing incredibly well," he said. "We've prepared for different scenarios. We want to reach our World Cup goal with our ambition and belief. Every match in the group is difficult."
Asked about the federation's decision to donate gate receipts, Montella said: "Everything done in the name of humanity deserves appreciation. We live in such a time that we can watch the deaths of innocent people. That's why we have to do everything we can."
National team player Kerem Akturkoglu echoed his coach's assessment of the match's importance. "Both teams know the importance of the match very well, we see it as a final match," he said. "It's a very important and meaningful match that can determine the results in the group. We are aware that if we win, our play-off chances will be much greater."
Akturkoglu, who hails from Kocaeli, expressed excitement about playing in his hometown. "My city, my hometown—I watched many matches here," he said. "Of course, playing in my own hometown is a great happiness."
The player said he and teammate Merih Demiral had lobbied in previous years to play a match in Kocaeli, adding that Tuesday's game will be the first official match for the national team in the city.
Addressing recent speculation about team dynamics, Akturkoglu dismissed any notion of discord. "The atmosphere in the national team, the planning, everything is very good, the friendship is very good, there are no problems," he said. "Time to time such things can come out, but we have no problems with each other."
Regarding his role as a forward rather than playing on the wing, Akturkoglu said he was content with the coach's decision. "If I'm going to help the team, I'll play in defense too. What matters is the flag, the position doesn't matter," he said. Since Montella took over, he noted, he has contributed 10 goals and 2 assists playing as a forward.
On the donation to Gaza, Akturkoglu, who learned of the decision at the press conference, said: "My stance and feelings on this issue have been clear from the beginning. I didn't know, I learned here, thank you very much to both our president and our federation. We need to do something without discriminating between people, this will be a start, hopefully we can bring it to an end."
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