UEFA’s Ceferin says Türkiye proved ability to host major finals

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has stated that Türkiye’s successful organization of three UEFA finals since 2019 has demonstrated the country’s capacity to stage major European football events, emphasizing that Türkiye should be regarded as a major football force rather than an emerging nation.

‘All the right ingredients are there’

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu, Ceferin said: “When you come here, you see stadiums, clubs, supporters, media attention, government and federation commitment - all the right ingredients are there. But above all, you feel the authentic football fever. In Türkiye, football matters every day, not only on matchdays. This is your great strength, but it is also a huge responsibility.” He praised his professional and constructive relationship with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and its president, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, commending his seriousness in addressing integrity issues.

Istanbul as a great football city

Ceferin noted that UEFA would not repeatedly return to Istanbul without confidence in the city and the federation, citing the 2019 Super Cup, the 2023 Champions League final, and the 2026 Europa League final at Beşiktaş Park as evidence of Türkiye’s capability. He called Istanbul “one of Europe’s great football cities,” adding that it is “always a pleasure to be back here.” He also praised Türkiye’s stadium infrastructure ahead of the jointly hosted UEFA EURO 2032 with Italy, noting that “Türkiye walked the talk and built excellent facilities.”

Expectations for 2026 World Cup and Turkish talent

Ceferin said Türkiye should not have waited 24 years to return to the FIFA World Cup and expects the national team to be “brave and competitive” in 2026. “I expect you to be a team that nobody will want to play against,” he said. He praised Türkiye’s midfield talent, singling out Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız as “exceptional talents and the present and future of European football,” while Hakan Çalhanoğlu “brings the authority and experience.” He urged Turkish clubs to seek sustained success in Europe and described impatience as the main weakness of Turkish football, calling for investment in academies, coaching, financial discipline, and women’s football.