Sports
Galatasaray host Eyüpspor, seeking to extend Süper Lig advantage
Galatasaray host Eyüpspor on Friday in Week 22 of the Süper Lig, aiming to protect their lead at the top of the table.
Kickoff at Rams Park in Istanbul is set for 8:00 p.m. local time, and the stakes are clear.
Galatasaray enter the round with 52 points from 21 matches, built on 16 wins, four draws and only one defeat.
They have scored 50 goals and conceded 14, the best goal difference in the league at +36, reflecting a side that attacks with volume and defends with discipline.
Eyüpspor, meanwhile, sit 15th with 18 points. Their record of four wins, six draws and 11 losses keeps them above the relegation line but far from safety. With 17 goals scored and 30 conceded, they have struggled for consistency at both ends, particularly away from home, where defeats have mounted.
This will be the fourth Süper Lig meeting between the clubs.
Galatasaray have won two and drawn one of the previous three, scoring nine goals and conceding three.
In the reverse fixture earlier this season, they claimed a 2-0 win at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, controlling possession and limiting Eyüpspor’s attacking space.
Form further tilts the balance. Since a 1-0 loss to Kocaelispor in Week 12, Galatasaray are unbeaten in nine league matches, collecting seven wins and two draws. Their most recent outing, a 3-0 away victory over Rizespor, showcased their depth, with goals coming from different areas of the pitch and the defense rarely stretched.
At Rams Park, they have turned dominance into routine. Galatasaray have not lost a league match at home since a 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahçe late in the 2023-24 season. Over the past 29 home league games, they have recorded 23 wins and six draws. The 4-0 win over Kayserispor in their last home appearance underlined how quickly they can overwhelm visiting sides.
Individually, the numbers are just as strong. Mauro Icardi leads the team with 10 league goals, while Victor Osimhen has nine and is enjoying his best run of the season.
The Nigeria striker has scored in five consecutive league matches, beginning with a brace against Samsunspor and continuing against Antalyaspor, Fatih Karagümrük, Kayserispor and Rizespor. His movement behind defenses and ability to finish early chances have added another layer to Galatasaray’s attack.
Support has come from across the squad. Leroy Sane and Barış Alper Yılmaz have six league goals each, Gabriel Sara has five, and Yunus Akgün, İlkay Gündoğan and Lucas Torreira have contributed from midfield. The spread of goals makes Galatasaray less dependent on a single source and harder to contain.
Defensively, they are second only to Göztepe in goals conceded, with 14 allowed in 21 matches. Center backs Davinson Sánchez and Abdülkerim Bardakcı have anchored a back line that rarely loses shape. Bardakcı, however, is one booking away from suspension and would miss next week’s trip to Konyaspor if cautioned.
Eyüpspor will likely approach the match cautiously, focusing on compact defending and counterattacks. For them, even a draw would represent a valuable result in the survival fight.
For Galatasaray, anything less than three points would feel like a missed opportunity in a title race that demands steady accumulation.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will serve as a key pillar of security for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a role that places the agency at the heart of the largest tournament in the sport’s history and at the center of an ongoing political storm.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told the House Committee on Homeland Security that Homeland Security Investigations, the agency’s investigative arm, will be fully integrated into World Cup operations.
“HSI is a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup,” Lyons said, responding to Rep. Nellie Pou of New Jersey, whose district includes MetLife Stadium, the scheduled site of the final. He made clear the agency does not plan to pause enforcement actions around matches or FIFA events, adding that ICE is “dedicated to securing that operation” and to protecting “participants as well as visitors.”
The expanded 48 team tournament begins June 11 and runs through July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. With 104 matches and millions of expected visitors, it will be the largest World Cup ever staged, requiring coordination across federal, state and international agencies under the Department of Homeland Security.
HSI typically handles counterterrorism intelligence, visa security, human trafficking investigations, financial crimes and cross border threats. At global sporting events, its focus includes intelligence sharing, fraud investigations, smuggling networks and potential risks to venues and teams. Deportations and detention operations fall under a separate ICE division.
( Celal Güneş – Anadolu Ajansı )
Still, the agency’s expanded visibility comes during a period of heightened criticism. ICE has drawn backlash over aggressive street level arrests and allegations of wrongful detentions. Recent incidents, including a fatal encounter involving federal agents in Minnesota, have intensified scrutiny, though administration officials have rejected claims of misconduct tied to broader policy.
Abroad, ICE’s presence at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo has sparked protests. Demonstrations in Milan turned violent, leading to arrests, as activists objected to the deployment of ICE officers assigned to protect senior U.S. officials including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
For the World Cup, federal officials frame ICE’s involvement as standard protocol for a major global event. Critics argue the agency’s reputation could shape how international fans view the United States as a host.
Rıza Kayaalp waited 610 days to step back onto the mat. When he did, he looked as if he had never left.
The three-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion marked his return by winning gold at the Zagreb Open, allowing just one point across four bouts.
It was a statement performance from one of Türkiye’s most decorated athletes, a reminder that even a long absence could not dull his edge.
Kayaalp had qualified quota for the Paris 2024 Olympics but was unable to compete due to a medication issue linked to treatment for persistent tinnitus. His appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was upheld, clearing the way for his return. He describes the period as the toughest of his career.
“For an athlete with so many titles, this was the worst thing that could happen,” he said. “Because of a simple issue, we faced a huge problem. But I always believed I would overcome it, return to my job and leave the sport on my own terms.”
The ordeal, he says, renewed his hunger.
“There was fatigue before. In this one and a half year period, my desire to work came back stronger. I was already motivated to be champion. Now it is even greater. I feel renewed.”
At 36, Kayaalp is targeting the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. He insists medals for himself matter less than medals for his country. Still, one prize remains missing from his collection: Olympic gold.
He also has history in his sights. Kayaalp shares the record for most European titles with Russian great Aleksandr Karelin. A 13th crown at the 2026 European Championships in Tirana would give him the record outright.
“I was so close,” he said. “Fourteen finals, 12 European titles, one more for the record, and then something unwanted happens. But everything is resolved. To bring that record to my country would mean a lot.”
His return in Zagreb carried nerves. He felt them at the morning weigh in. He felt them before the first bout. But once his feet touched the mat, instinct took over.
“I missed it so much,” he said. “When you step on the mat, everything changes.”
On a battered five-a-side field carved out of rubble and shattered buildings, Jabalia Youth faced Al-Sadaqa in the Gaza Strip’s first organized soccer tournament in more than two years.
The game finished in a draw, as did the following match between Beit Hanoun and Al-Shujaiya.
The scorelines mattered little. Fans pressed against the chain-link fence at Palestine Pitch in the devastated Tal al-Hawa district of Gaza City, cheering every touch and rattling the metal in rhythm.
Boys scrambled up a cracked concrete wall for a better view, while others peered through gaps in the ruins. A lone drumbeat echoed across the wreckage, carrying the sound of soccer back into a city that has missed it.
Youssef Jendiya, 21, a Jabalia Youth player from an area of Gaza largely depopulated and bulldozed by Israeli forces, described his feelings at being back on the pitch.
“Confused. Happy, sad, joyful, happy.”
“People search for water in the morning, food, bread. Life is a little difficult. But there is a little left of the day when you can come and play soccer and express some of the joy inside you,” he said.
“You come to the stadium missing many of your teammates, killed, injured or those who traveled for treatment. So the joy is incomplete.”
Four months after a cease-fire ended major fighting in Gaza, there has been almost no reconstruction.
Israeli forces have ordered residents out of nearly two-thirds of the strip, crowding more than 2 million people into a sliver along the coast, most in makeshift tents or damaged buildings.
The former site of Gaza City’s 9,000-seat Yarmouk Stadium, which Israeli forces leveled during the war and used as a detention center, now houses displaced families in white tents clustered on what was once the pitch.
For this week’s tournament, the Football Association cleared rubble from a collapsed wall along a half-sized field, installed a fence and swept debris off the old artificial turf.
By taking part, the teams were “delivering a message,” said Amjad Abu Awda, 31, a Beit Hanoun player.
“That no matter what happened in terms of destruction and war, we continue playing and living. Life must continue.”
Inter Miami’s bold bet on Lionel Messi keeps rewriting the balance sheet.
In December, the Argentine star powered the club to its first MLS Cup. Now, with the 2026 season less than two weeks away, he has lifted them to another milestone, this time off the pitch.
The Herons are Major League Soccer’s most valuable franchise.
Sportico reported Tuesday that Miami is valued at $1.45 billion, a 22% increase from last year and $50 million more than Los Angeles FC. It marks the first time in the five years of Sportico’s MLS valuations that LAFC have not ranked No. 1.
Though second, LAFC still posted a 9% year over year increase to $1.4 billion. The Black and Gold employ Son Heung-min, one of the league’s most popular international stars. Messi and Son are the two highest-paid players in MLS.
While that is good news for Miami and Los Angeles, the leaguewide economics may raise some concern. The bottom 12 teams in valuation saw their values rise by an average of just 2% from 2025. Three clubs, the San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps and CF Montreal, declined in value, according to the report.
The Whitecaps reached the MLS Cup final last year behind German veteran Thomas Müller.
Sportico valued all clubs, including real estate and football-related businesses owned by club owners such as NWSL franchises, at a combined $23 billion.
San Diego FC, the league’s newest club entering its second season, is valued at $765 million, ranking 10th in MLS.
The MLS season kicks off Feb. 21, highlighted by Miami’s visit to LAFC. The match was moved to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to accommodate increased demand.
Barcelona head to Madrid on Thursday night with silverware on their mind and history on their side.
The defending Copa del Rey champions face Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the first leg of a heavyweight semifinal, a clash that once again throws two of Spain’s fiercest rivals into a high-stakes knockout duel.
Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. CET before nearly 70,000 supporters in one of the country’s most unforgiving arenas.
The return leg will unfold at Spotify Camp Nou between March 3 and 5, with the winner advancing to the final in Seville on April 18-19.
For Atletico, the memory is still fresh.
Last season Barcelona ended their cup run at this exact stage.
A chaotic 4-4 draw in the first leg was followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat in Catalonia, a result that propelled Barcelona toward the trophy and deepened Simeone’s frustration.
The Argentine now has another shot at disrupting Barça’s rhythm.
Atletico’s route to the semifinal was emphatic.
A 5-0 dismantling of Real Betis in the quarterfinals showcased their full range, aggressive pressing, ruthless transitions and clinical finishing.
Yet the same Betis side handed them a 1-0 La Liga defeat days later, underlining the inconsistency that has crept into their campaign.
With just two wins in their last five matches across all competitions and sitting third in La Liga, 13 points behind Barcelona, the domestic cup has taken on added weight.
Simeone’s blueprint is clear. Compact lines, physical midfield battles and sharp counterattacks aimed at exploiting space behind Barcelona’s high defensive line. Set pieces could also prove decisive, an area where Atletico traditionally thrive in knockout football.
Barcelona, however, arrive in commanding form. Hansi Flick’s side have won six consecutive matches in all competitions, scoring at least twice in each outing.
Their 3-0 victory over Mallorca was not only comfortable but controlled, with Robert Lewandowski leading the line efficiently and Lamine Yamal continuing to mature into a decisive presence on the wing. Marc Bernal’s composure in midfield added balance to a team that looks increasingly synchronized.
The numbers reinforce their authority. Barcelona top La Liga with 58 points from 23 matches, owning the division’s most potent attack with 63 goals scored while conceding only 23.
They have already lifted the Spanish Super Cup and progressed to the Champions League last 16, fueling talk of a genuine treble push.
Yet selection questions linger. Raphinha remains out with a thigh injury, depriving Flick of pace and directness on the flank. Frenkie de Jong is doubtful with a groin issue, while Pedri and Gavi continue their recoveries.
Andreas Christensen is sidelined long term. The depth of Barcelona’s squad will be tested in a tie where fine margins often decide outcomes.
Atletico have their own concerns. Pablo Barrios is unavailable with a thigh problem, Johnny Cardoso is out with a muscle injury, and Nicolas Gonzalez is managing physical discomfort.
Marc Pubill could return after illness, offering Simeone an additional option in a defense likely to be under sustained pressure.
Psychology also plays its part. Barcelona have won the last three meetings between the sides, a run that strengthens belief inside Flick’s camp.
Atletico, meanwhile, are motivated by the chance to halt that trend and shift momentum before traveling to Catalonia for the decisive second leg.
Galatasaray will convene its regular February meeting of the board on Wednesday, Feb. 11, as the club’s senior oversight body gathers to examine finances, sporting performance and governance matters at a key stage of the season.
The meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. local time at the Özhan Canaydın Conference Hall inside the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park.
It is part of the club’s routine monthly governance process and brings together former presidents, long-serving members and senior figures who serve in an advisory and supervisory role between the general assembly and the board of directors.
Financial review
The main agenda item is the presentation and discussion of Galatasaray’s audited financial statements covering the first six months of the 2025-26 season, from June 1 to Nov. 30, 2025.
Prepared in line with Turkish Financial Reporting Standards and adjusted for inflation accounting, the reports reflect the consolidated performance of Galatasaray Sportif Sınai ve Ticari Yatırımlar A.Ş. (Galatasaray Sports, Industrial and Commercial Investments Inc.), the publicly listed company overseeing professional football operations.
According to recent disclosures on the Public Disclosure Platform, consolidated revenue for the period reached approximately TL 9.7 billion ($222.3 million), an increase of around 60 percent compared to the same period last season.
The group reported a net profit attributable to the parent company of roughly TL 1.4 billion, while shareholders’ equity stood near TL 15.35 billion.
Despite the strong headline figures, underlying pressures remain.
Analysts note that core football operations continue to face structural challenges, while total liabilities and borrowings remain high, around TL 11 billion, reflecting transfer spending, wage commitments and broader economic conditions in Türkiye.
Sporting and administrative activity report
Club executives will also present a comprehensive activity report covering both administrative and sporting developments during the period.
The presentation will include updates on performances in the Süper Lig, Turkish Cup and UEFA competitions, progress within the youth academy, results across other branches such as basketball and volleyball, as well as infrastructure projects and commercial initiatives.
Following these presentations, the club’s Audit Board will deliver its findings and opinions on the financial statements and activity reports, providing independent oversight and ensuring compliance with regulations and club statutes.
Board presidency election on the horizon
An additional and closely watched agenda item concerns the upcoming board presidency election, scheduled for March 14, 2026.
Potential candidates will be given the opportunity to address the assembly and outline their views and priorities ahead of the vote.
The role of board president is regarded as one of the most prestigious positions within Galatasaray, carrying significant influence in club oversight, mediation and the protection of institutional tradition.
Monthly meetings of the board are a cornerstone of governance at Galatasaray and other major Turkish clubs, promoting transparency, accountability and member participation.
The timing of this session is particularly significant as the club balances midseason sporting pressure with financial scrutiny linked to its publicly listed status.
Statement from the Ministry of National Defense on Syria: We are closely monitoring the implementation of the agreement on the field
Erdoğan, DEM Party officials reaffirm commitment to terror-free Türkiye
ICE to anchor security core for 2026 World Cup: Director Lyons
Statement from the Ministry of National Defense on Syria: We are closely monitoring the implementation of the agreement on the field
Erdoğan, DEM Party officials reaffirm commitment to terror-free Türkiye
ICE to anchor security core for 2026 World Cup: Director Lyons
-
Economy3 days agoŞimşek touts Türkiye’s ‘resilience’ despite global economic uncertainty
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoIt was revealed in the Jeffrey Epstein files: They even celebrated the operation for TL! Here are those correspondences
-
Politics3 days agoTürkiye’s ‘family diplomacy’ makes waves across world
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoBREAKING NEWS! Terror-free Türkiye message from the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş: The commission report will be presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoHe entered UYAP with the prosecutors’ password and closed the FETO files! The trial of the court clerk continued
-
Daily Agenda2 days ago“New constitution” statement from Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç: It is our most important responsibility and debt to our nation.
-
Politics2 days agoMHP leader vows to ‘pay the price’ to advance terror-free Türkiye
-
Daily Agenda1 day agoInternational door opened for Gökbey helicopter