Erdogan congratulates Sanchez on World Cup win, cites Gaza joy

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to congratulate Madrid on its FIFA World Cup triumph, according to a statement from Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

During the call, the two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments, the directorate said in a post on the NSosyal platform. The conversation underscored the strategic partnership between Ankara and Madrid amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Gaza celebrations and 'moral stance'

Erdogan told Sanchez he was particularly moved by images of Gazans celebrating Spain's championship despite the devastation wrought by Israeli attacks, the statement noted. He emphasized that Spain's "conscientious and moral" stance on the Palestinian issue had resonated deeply with football supporters worldwide.

Upcoming summits

Erdogan also expressed satisfaction at hosting Sanchez during the NATO Summit held in Ankara and said he looked forward to welcoming the Spanish premier to Türkiye again in early 2027 for the Türkiye-Spain Intergovernmental Summit. The meeting is expected to finalize several bilateral trade and defense agreements currently under negotiation.