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Türkiye captain Hakan Calhanoglu has said his ambition is to lift the World Cup with the national team, as Türkiye prepares to return to football's biggest tournament after a 24-year absence.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency in Arizona as part of the National Pride on the Road to the 2026 World Cup project, Calhanoglu said he had always set high targets for himself and believed Türkiye could compete at the highest level.
"My target is, of course, the final. My target is to bring the World Cup," Calhanoglu said, adding that he would not speak so boldly if he did not see that strength in the squad.
Calhanoglu said Türkiye had moved on from earlier concerns about squad depth, pointing out that the team now had options across the pitch.
He said there had previously been questions over positions such as right back, midfield and central defense, but added that Türkiye now had enough quality in every area. According to the captain, the current squad's strength lies in its talent, stability and desire.
He also described the atmosphere inside the camp as positive, saying his role as captain was to keep balance within the group. Calhanoglu said he tried to act fairly, share decisions with senior teammates and bring others into the process rather than deciding alone.
For Calhanoglu, the tournament also carries a personal meaning. He was 8 years old when Türkiye finished third at the 2002 World Cup, and he recalled watching those matches in a mosque after Quran lessons.
"After the prayers, the matches were on. We would celebrate there, and when there was a goal, chairs were flying in the air," he said.
He described the move from watching Türkiye on television as a child to leading the team as captain at the World Cup as something that could not be fully explained.
"You watch it on television when you are little, and now you are on the pitch, and as captain. This cannot be explained; it has to be lived," he said.
Türkiye is holding its camp in Arizona, where Calhanoglu said the hot weather would be difficult but something the players had to get used to quickly.
He said the team would give everything regardless of conditions, although he personally preferred playing in the rain rather than the heat.
Türkiye will face the United States, Paraguay and Australia in Group D. Calhanoglu said the team must not underestimate any opponent, adding that sides ranked below Türkiye could still be dangerous, especially if they defend deep.
The captain said Türkiye's aim was clear: to finish top of the group.
Calhanoglu said Türkiye's third-place finish in 2002 did not create pressure for the current squad. Instead, he framed it as part of the national team's history, saying today's players wanted to create a similar feeling for the country.
He said former national team figures, including Bulent Korkmaz and Rustu Recber, had spoken with the current squad about their experiences from 2002. Their message, he said, was that a happy and peaceful camp could make a long tournament feel much shorter.
When asked about his most memorable World Cup moments, Calhanoglu mentioned Ilhan Mansiz's golden goal, Ronaldinho's free-kick against England and Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi.
Calhanoglu named France as one of the strongest contenders, saying the depth of their squad made them stand out. He also mentioned Argentina and Brazil as traditional favorites, but added that Türkiye would not be afraid of facing any team.
He said confidence in himself and in the squad mattered more than the name of the opponent.
The midfielder also said he hoped to score from distance at the World Cup, noting that he had ended the club season strongly before a minor injury. He said his confidence remained high and that he was preparing well.
Looking back at Euro 2024, where Türkiye reached the quarterfinals, Calhanoglu said the team had benefited from a strong camp environment and from Vincenzo Montella's work as head coach.
He said Montella had brought in a system, helped the squad develop step by step and built strong relationships with players. Calhanoglu also said Türkiye's rise to League A in the UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualification after 24 years showed that the team was moving in the right direction.
The captain also spoke about the emotional moment after Türkiye's Euro 2024 exit against the Netherlands, when he was moved to tears while addressing fans. He said lifting a trophy with the national team remained a major goal and that falling short after a strong campaign had been painful.
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Born and raised in Germany, Calhanoglu said choosing Türkiye was not an easy step, but it was always on his mind. He said he was proud to have made that decision and thanked the coaches who helped him reach the national team, including Fatih Terim, who first called him up.
He described his rise as something he had earned through hard work.
"I came here by digging with my nails," he said, adding that leading Türkiye at the World Cup would be a special experience in his career.
Calhanoglu, 32, also said he still felt fit and young, rejecting the idea that he was nearing the end of his career.
Calhanoglu also spoke about his club career, saying he still wanted to win the UEFA Champions League after losing two finals. He reflected on his path from Mannheim and Karlsruhe to Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Milan and Inter, where he said he had won eight trophies.
Before matches, he said he always calls his wife and children, listens to music with teammates in the dressing room and washes his face with cold water before walking out onto the pitch.
He added that he says "Bismillah," an Arabic phrase meaning "in the name of God," before stepping onto the field.
Calhanoglu said the squad would listen to songs written for the national team during the tournament, adding that music choices were made collectively rather than by him alone.
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