Yalçın: We Built Our Whole Plan Around Winning

Sergen Yalçın made statements at a press conference held at Gürsel Aksel Stadium ahead of the Belgium match. Saying he would be leading the crescent-and-star team for the first time, the head coach said they were excited and that their responsibility was very great. Yalçın said it was very unlikely that Zeki would start tomorrow's match, and added that 3 or 4 players returning from injury would be used in certain sections. Saying their situation in the group was clear, he said there was a possibility of them playing in the play-out. Stressing that they must take 3 points, the head coach said they had built their entire plan around winning.

Yalçın announced that Enes Ünal would start tomorrow's match and said Ferdi Kadıoğlu would be in the starting XI against Belgium. He said the national player was 100 percent fit. Regarding the omission of İrfan Can Kahveci from the provisional squad, Yalçın asked that the matter not be seen as personal. He said the player was always a national team player, his performance was improving, and he could be called up in the future. Yalçın also said that Arda Okan Kurtulan, who plays for Göztepe, could not be included in the provisional squad due to procedure, and that the necessary petition and paperwork could not be completed in a short time.

On squad selection, Yalçın said they had a pool of more than 50 players. He explained that 80 percent of the squad consisted of players who had come in, while the remaining 20 percent could change depending on performance. Yalçın said he believed the group that starts is important, but the group that finishes the match is more important.

Source: Gundem Kibris Spor

Correction (11.11.2026): The Turkey-Belgium match will be played on Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 20.00 at Gürsel Aksel Stadium in İzmir. removed.