Samet Akaydın: “We Will Definitely Qualify for the World Cup”

Çaykur Rizespor defender Samet Akaydin expressed unwavering confidence in the Turkish national team’s ability to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating unequivocally, “No matter the opponent, we will definitely go to the World Cup.” The sentiment comes as Turkey prepares for a crucial playoff match to secure a spot in the tournament.

Akaydin’s comments are part of Anadolu Agency’s “2026 World Cup Road: National Pride” project, which aims to introduce Turkish national team players to the public and strengthen support for the squad. The project delves into the players’ World Cup aspirations, thoughts on the national team, daily lives in their cities, and current club situations.

“We, as a country, really need to participate in the World Cup. Our country and our national team definitely deserve to go to the World Cup,” Akaydin emphasized. He highlighted the quality and potential within the team, noting, “We have a very high-quality national team, very high-quality young players, our pride. We have brothers playing football all over Europe. We have a quality, young, and ambitious national team.” He believes the team demonstrated this ambition during the recent European Championship.

Turkey will face Romania in the first leg of their playoff tie, a match Akaydin anticipates will be advantageous playing at home. “We are a more quality team, and I think we will pass the tie very comfortably in Istanbul. I have no doubt,” he stated. The subsequent opponent will be the winner of the Slovakia-Kosovo matchup, a challenge Akaydin also feels confident in overcoming. “It might be difficult playing away, but I trust the strength and quality of the team. No matter the opponent, we will definitely go to the World Cup.”

Akaydin revealed a lighthearted exchange with his Çaykur Rizespor teammate, Valentin Mihaila, a Romanian international. “We are joking, talking to each other. Mihaila is a really quality player. We are joking, but I know he is afraid of us, I am aware of that. He also says that our national team is very strong.” He added that Romanian players acknowledge the strength of the Turkish squad, with one reportedly telling Mihaila, “We were scared when you guys came out, we wanted you to be the last team we faced.”

Undeterred by the potential opponents, Akaydin reiterated his belief in Turkey’s capabilities. “To be honest, it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t think there is much difference between Slovakia and Kosovo in terms of level. They are pretty close in level, Slovakia seems to be a slightly tougher team, but we also have both tough and quality football players. We have a wide squad. We will fight against everyone. There is no problem. God willing, we have no fear of anyone.”

Looking ahead to the potential group stage, Akaydin expressed optimism, noting Turkey would be drawn into a group with the United States, Paraguay, and Australia. “We have seen the teams in the group. If we go to the World Cup, I think we will get out of that group very easily. That’s why we definitely need to go to the World Cup, we have no other choice.” He expressed a desire to face some of the world’s best strikers, adding, “I always want to play against the best strikers in the world. I want to play against the best strikers in the world at the World Cup.”

Akaydin, who earned his first national team cap at age 28, reflected on his journey to the national team. He acknowledged a slightly delayed start to his Süper Lig career, playing in the league at ages 26-27. He recounted his initial call-up under Stefan Kuntz while playing for Adana Demirspor, describing the excitement of his debut against the Czech Republic. He also remembered being a non-traveling member of the squad for a World Cup qualifying match against Portugal, a disappointment that fueled his determination to earn a future call-up.

He emphasized the pride he feels representing Turkey, stating, “Wearing this jersey is a source of pride for me.” He described the atmosphere under coach Vincenzo Montella as positive, noting Montella’s ability to instill confidence in the players and remind them of their quality. He credited Montella with fostering a strong team spirit, which he believes was a key factor in their success during the European Championship qualifying campaign.

Akaydin fondly recalled scoring against the Netherlands in the European Championship, a moment he described as unforgettable. Despite the eventual loss, he felt the team played well and had a strong belief they could win. He acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat but emphasized the team’s determination to learn from the experience and build on their performance.

He highlighted the importance of the strong bond between players, noting the camaraderie and support within the squad. He described the pre-match rituals, including listening to Ottoman music to build excitement and motivation. “We go to war like that,” he said, “Ottoman music prepares us. It makes you feel excited.”

Reflecting on a heavy defeat to Spain during qualifying, Akaydin acknowledged the setback but emphasized that it served as a wake-up call. He noted that the team responded well and ultimately qualified for the European Championship. He also discussed an incident during a match against the Czech Republic where he mistakenly wore the wrong shorts number, leading to confusion and amusement.

Akaydin praised Montella’s ability to instill confidence in his players, contrasting it with his previous experience under Ismail Kartal at Fenerbahçe, where he felt a disconnect. He also admitted to feeling intimidated by former Fenerbahçe coach Jesus, describing him as a demanding figure. He acknowledged the psychological impact of Fenerbahçe’s long trophy drought on the team and the pressure to succeed.

He also touched upon the intense rivalry between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray, noting how it often led to criticism from fans of both clubs. He expressed frustration with the online negativity and the tendency for fans to quickly turn on players. He emphasized the importance of unity and support for the national team, regardless of club affiliations.

Akaydin concluded by expressing his gratitude to Çaykur Rizespor for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to representing Turkey with pride. He stated his ambition to continue playing at a high level and to contribute to the team’s success in the future.