Hakan Çalhanoglu addressed Turkey's confidence levels following a disappointing 0-2 Group D loss to Australia on June 13. The midfielder issued a statement emphasizing the team's resolve. 'One lost match doesn't mean we lost hope, and we won't lose it. Turkey is a team that always knows how to get back on its feet,' Çalhanoglu said via A Spor.
Turkey's opening defeat in the group stage leaves them facing critical fixtures in their push for qualification. The side must regroup for their second-round encounter with Paraguay on June 20, followed by a match against the USA on June 26.
The group stage runs through June 27, with each team playing three matches. Two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, alongside the eight best third-placed finishers across the 12 groups. A total of 104 matches will be played throughout the tournament.
Turkey's odds for group-stage qualification will likely lengthen following their 0-2 opening loss, with adjusted survival probabilities affecting both remaining fixtures and knockout-advancement markets.