Sports
UEFA chief Ceferin praises Türkiye’s record as major finals host
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said Türkiye’s successful staging of three UEFA finals since 2019 has demonstrated the country’s ability to host Europe’s biggest football events at the highest level.
Speaking exclusively to Anadolu Agency (AA), Ceferin said Türkiye should no longer be viewed as an emerging football nation but as one of the game’s major powers.
“When you come here, you see the stadiums, the clubs, the supporters, the media interest and the commitment from both the government and the federation. All the necessary ingredients are in place,” he said.
“But more importantly, you feel the genuine passion for football. In Türkiye, football is part of everyday life, not something limited to matchdays. That is your greatest strength, but it also comes with great responsibility.”
Ceferin also praised his relationship with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), describing cooperation as professional and constructive.
TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, Ceferin said, is someone he holds in high regard, not only for his seriousness and determination in addressing integrity issues in Turkish football but also for the sincerity and warmth he brings to the role.
“He clearly understands that transparency and accountability are essential to the game’s credibility, and his efforts are helping restore trust among clubs, players, referees and supporters alike,” Ceferin said.
Türkiye’s rise as a major football host
Asked whether UEFA was satisfied with Türkiye’s hosting of the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, the 2023 UEFA Champions League final and the upcoming 2026 UEFA Europa League final at Beşiktaş Park, Ceferin said UEFA would not repeatedly return to Istanbul without confidence in the city and federation.
“The 2019 Super Cup, the 2023 Champions League final and now the 2026 Europa League final at Beşiktaş Park are evidence that Türkiye can deliver major UEFA events,” he said.
“Transport, security, fan flow and arrival and departure from the stadium are areas where we can still improve the overall fan experience. But the general conclusion is positive.”
He called Istanbul one of Europe’s great football cities, saying it is always a pleasure to return.
EURO 2032 and stadium infrastructure
Ceferin also praised Türkiye’s stadium infrastructure ahead of the jointly hosted UEFA Euro 2032 with Italy.
“Many countries in Europe have been talking about new stadiums for 20 years, and then nothing happens,” he said.
“Türkiye walked the talk and built excellent facilities. That makes a big difference.”
He added that Türkiye has recognized this and gained a serious advantage over many European countries.
Ceferin said Türkiye should not have waited 24 years to return to the FIFA World Cup and expects the national team to be highly motivated at the 2026 tournament.
“Now the task is not only to participate but also to behave like a team that belongs there. Be brave and be competitive,” he said.
Turkish midfield talent
Asked which Turkish players had impressed him most, Ceferin praised the national team’s midfield quality.
“Very few teams in the world have such a talented midfield as Türkiye does,” he said.
Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız are “exceptional talents and the present and future of European football,” he added, while Hakan Çalhanoğlu “brings authority and experience.”
Clubs urged to seek consistency in Europe
Ceferin said Turkish clubs should aim for sustained success in Europe rather than isolated achievements.
Galatasaray’s return to the European spotlight is an important signal, he said, noting the club’s ambition after winning a fourth consecutive Süper Lig title and reaching the Champions League round of 16.
“Turkish clubs should not be satisfied with emotional victories or one big night. They must be a protagonist in UEFA competitions every year, including the Champions League,” he said.
He also praised recent European performances by Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş, Istanbul Basaksehir and Sivasspor.
Patience and long-term planning
“The progress has been made, but the next step is more difficult: to compete every year without treating it as a miracle,” he said.
Ceferin described impatience as the main weakness of Turkish football, saying too many decisions are made emotionally and too many clubs think short term.
“If Türkiye wants to take the next step, it is not enough to buy famous players or build impressive stadiums,” he said.
“You need academies, coaching, refereeing, financial discipline and women’s football. Investing in youth is always the best bet.”
With the 2026 World Cup in North America just under three weeks away, we assess the leading contenders at the first 48-team finals, with world rankings in brackets:
France (1)
Les Bleus have won the World Cup twice and lost two finals on penalties in the past seven editions. This will be their last tournament before long-serving coach Didier Deschamps steps down. “It’s a strange feeling,” Deschamps said, acknowledging his tenure since 2012.
France beat Brazil 2-1 in March and followed with a 3-1 win over Colombia using a different starting lineup, with both matches played in the U.S.
Unbeaten in nine games since last June, France boast a fearsome attack featuring Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki. They will take some stopping.
Spain (2)
The European champions have not lost since winning Euro 2024. Luis de la Fuente’s side operate as a well-drilled unit, with teenage winger Lamine Yamal their standout talent.
The 18-year-old Barcelona player is currently out with a hamstring injury, and reports suggest he could miss the first two group games.
His Barcelona teammate Fermin Lopez is set to miss the tournament with a foot fracture.
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who scored eight goals in 10 appearances for Spain in 2025, has not played since January due to injury.
Even so, La Roja still possess elite quality, including 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Pedri.
Argentina (3)
Lionel Scaloni’s side are targeting a successful defense of the title they won in 2022.
That tournament marked Lionel Messi’s crowning achievement, and it is difficult to see him reaching those heights again as he turns 39 next month.
Messi, however, remains settled in the U.S. and has 12 goals in 13 MLS appearances for Inter Miami this year.
Argentina also won the 2024 Copa America in the U.S. and topped South American qualifying comfortably.
Beyond Messi, they have significant attacking depth, including Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Nico Paz, the Tenerife-born midfielder now at Como.
England (4)
After several near misses under Gareth Southgate, including defeats in the last two European Championship finals and exits in the 2018 World Cup semifinals and 2022 quarterfinals, England now look to Thomas Tuchel to deliver a first major title since 1966.
England cruised through qualifying but questions remain. They drew with Uruguay and lost to Japan in March friendlies, while key players such as Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer have had uneven campaigns. However, they will hope Harry Kane maintains the prolific form he has shown at Bayern Munich, where he has scored 58 goals this season.
Portugal (5)
Portugal, who have never gone beyond the semifinals, are strong contenders, provided they are not hindered by the dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo.
At 41, this will be his sixth World Cup. The strength of their midfield, including Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, may prove decisive.
UEFA Nations League winners last year, Portugal were less convincing in qualifying, losing in Ireland when Ronaldo was sent off. He did not feature in their final warmup, a 2-0 friendly win over the U.S. in Atlanta.
Brazil (6)
Brazil’s progress under new coach Carlo Ancelotti will be closely watched. The decision to appoint an Italian reflects ongoing questions about Brazil’s football identity, while their limited depth has been highlighted by the inclusion of Neymar in the squad.
Now 34 and playing for Santos, Neymar has not been capped since 2023, with Vinicius Junior emerging as the team’s attacking leader.
Since winning their fifth title in 2002, Brazil have reached the semifinals only once, the 7-1 defeat to Germany in 2014 on home soil. They finished fifth in South American qualifying, losing six of 18 matches.
“The World Cup will not be won by a perfect team because a perfect team does not exist,” Ancelotti said. “It will be won by the most resilient team.”
Germany (10)
Julian Nagelsmann’s side sit behind the Netherlands, Morocco and Belgium in the rankings, and it would be a stretch to label them favorites for a first World Cup title since 2014.
They exited in the group stage in both 2018 and 2022 and fell in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals as hosts. Still, the quality of Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz ensures Germany cannot be discounted.
Arsenal’s return to the summit of English football arrived in decisive, dramatic fashion Tuesday night, triggering celebrations across North London that stretched long into the early hours and marked the end of a 22-year wait for Premier League glory.
The title was confirmed without Arsenal stepping onto the pitch, after title rivals Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by AFC Bournemouth.
The result made Arsenal mathematically uncatchable with one match remaining, sealing their place as champions of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
What followed was immediate and unrestrained.
From Islington to Holloway, and around the Emirates Stadium, supporters poured into the streets in waves.
Pubs emptied within minutes, traffic slowed to a crawl and entire junctions became gathering points for thousands singing in unison as decades of anticipation finally broke into celebration.
At the club’s training base north of London, Arsenal’s squad had assembled to watch the decisive match together.
When the final whistle confirmed City’s dropped points, the room erupted. Players embraced, shouted and jumped in scenes that quickly spread across social media, capturing a squad that had carried expectation all season and finally delivered under it.
The triumph reflects a campaign defined by control and consistency. Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal spent most of the season at the top of the table, rarely relinquishing momentum and building a lead through a blend of defensive structure and attacking precision.
Central to that charge were captain Martin Odegaard, whose influence dictated tempo in midfield, forward Bukayo Saka, whose end product remained decisive in key fixtures, and midfielder Declan Rice, whose arrival added stability and authority to Arsenal’s core.
Around them, a settled defensive unit provided the platform for a sustained title push in a league long shaped by fine margins.
Arsenal’s consistency ultimately separated them from the chasing pack.
In previous seasons, late slips had cost them at critical moments, but this time Arteta’s side managed the pressure, protected leads and maintained intensity across the winter and spring months.
The result is the club’s 14th English league title and their first since the iconic 2003-04 “Invincibles” campaign.
As news filtered through from the south coast, celebrations escalated rapidly in North London.
Outside the Emirates Stadium, fans climbed barriers and street furniture, flares lit up the night sky and chants of “Champions” echoed across surrounding streets. The atmosphere shifted quickly from disbelief to release, with supporters describing a sense of relief as much as joy after more than two decades without a league crown.
“It’s unbelievable, we’ve waited 22 years for this,” one supporter told Reuters TV amid the celebrations. “We deserve it, the team deserves it, everyone deserves it.”
The scenes were mirrored across the city as families, groups of friends and long-time season ticket holders gathered spontaneously, many holding scarves aloft and recording the moment on their phones as fireworks burst overhead.
Club legend Ian Wright also joined the celebrations outside the Emirates Stadium. The former striker, who scored 185 goals for Arsenal in the 1990s, was greeted by chants of his name as supporters surged around him.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Wright described a night that felt personal as well as historic.
“I was absolutely over the moon,” he said. “I got in the cab with my family and said we’re going down to the Emirates. This club deserves it. The fans deserve it everywhere in the world.”
While the celebrations dominated London, attention is already shifting toward what could become an even more defining week in Arsenal’s modern history.
The club will conclude their league campaign against Crystal Palace before turning focus to the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.
Victory there would secure Arsenal’s first European crown and complete a rare league and continental double.
Türkiye’s leading sports bodies and clubs marked the May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day with coordinated tributes, blending remembrance of the War of Independence with messages celebrating youth, unity, and sporting excellence across the country.
Across Türkiye, sports institutions used the national holiday to highlight both historical memory and the role of sport in shaping the Republic’s future.
Messages poured in from federations, professional leagues, and top-tier clubs, all echoing a shared theme: Atatürk’s legacy lives on through youth and athletics.
Football leads tributes
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) underscored the historical importance of May 19, linking Atatürk’s landing in Samsun in 1919 to the birth of national resistance and the enduring value of sport in building unity and discipline.
In the Süper Lig, clubs marked the occasion with commemorative messages across official channels:
Fenerbahçe published an extensive tribute recalling Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun as the start of the independence struggle, while honoring fallen heroes and emphasizing national pride.
Galatasaray highlighted Atatürk’s trust in youth and reaffirmed its commitment to sporting excellence as part of the national fabric, reflecting the club’s long-standing identity tied to modern Turkish sport.
Beşiktaş pointed to its historic role in early 20th-century youth and sports movements, framing the day as both a patriotic remembrance and a continuation of its founding mission in Turkish athletics.
Trabzonspor joined the nationwide observance with messages centered on unity, resilience, and support for emerging athletes from across the country.
Youth and development
Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) and other sporting bodies across basketball, wrestling, athletics, and Olympic disciplines marked the day with youth-focused initiatives, tournaments, and commemorative statements.
Many federations referenced Atatürk’s guiding philosophy on athletes, especially his emphasis on intelligence, discipline, and morality as defining traits of sport.
The Turkish Olympic movement also used the occasion to underline international achievements and encourage the next generation to carry Turkish sport onto the global stage.
Shared national themes
Despite differences in sport and institution, the tone of the day remained consistent:
Atatürk’s landing in Samsun and the War of Independence were at the center of remembrance. Youth were framed as the guardians of the Republic.
Sport was positioned as a tool for unity, health, and national pride. Calls for solidarity and progress were repeated across nearly all official statements.
From Istanbul to Samsun, clubs and federations flooded digital platforms with flags, historical imagery, and youth-focused celebrations, reinforcing the symbolic link between sport and nation-building.
May 19 marks the moment Mustafa Kemal Atatürk arrived in Samsun in 1919, a turning point that ignited the Turkish War of Independence and ultimately led to the founding of the Republic.
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei says he and his staff face a demanding task preparing the squad for the World Cup during their training camp in Türkiye, with most players having been out of competitive action for about seven weeks.
The domestic Persian Gulf Pro League was suspended after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February and will not resume until after the tournament.
Of the 30-man squad named Saturday, 22 players are based in Iran and have remained in a national team training camp in Tehran since friendlies against Costa Rica and Nigeria in Antalya in late March.
“Naturally, I am not fully satisfied with the players’ level of readiness,” Ghalenoei told the Iranian FA (FFIR) magazine before departing for Türkiye on Monday.
“But with a training camp of about two and a half to three weeks, we can make up roughly 20 to 25% of this shortfall.
“We need to raise our domestic-based players to the level required by the modern game,” he said. “In terms of age profile, I believe our domestic players are in a good position, but there are still areas that need improvement.
“We must continue our work in the Türkiye camp with determination and optimism.”
Iran will play Gambia in a friendly on May 29 before Ghalenoei names his final 26-man World Cup squad by the FIFA deadline on June 1.
The FFIR still hopes to schedule another friendly in Türkiye and will play a behind-closed-doors match against Puerto Rico at its U.S. base in Arizona, provided it is able to enter the country without issues.
“I hope that in the first four or five days before our opening World Cup match, we can reach suitable physical condition,” Ghalenoei said.
“The training camp in Türkiye, despite all the surrounding distractions and side issues, has become a crucial stage of our preparation.”
At the World Cup, Iran will face New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21 in Los Angeles before rounding out their group fixtures against Egypt five days later in Seattle.
Head coach Vincenzo Montella unveiled a 35-man provisional roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, signaling the next step in the country’s resurgence after a 24-year absence from football’s biggest stage.
The Italian coach leaned heavily on versatility, consistency and dressing-room chemistry as he assembled a squad capable of competing against the world’s elite in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Montella’s selections reflected more than form alone. Age profile, tactical flexibility, fitness levels and even off-field influence all played a role as Türkiye began shaping a squad they hope can revive memories of their unforgettable 2002 World Cup run.
Young talents were pushed to the forefront, while experienced figures were retained to steady the group through the pressure of a month-long tournament.
Players capable of operating in multiple positions were especially valued, giving Montella the tactical freedom he has relied on since transforming the national side after taking charge in 2023.
Türkiye’s preparations will begin with players receiving several days of rest before reporting for camp on May 22, while the full training program officially starts on May 29.
Two warm-up matches have already been scheduled: against North Macedonia national football team in Istanbul on June 1 and Venezuela national football team in Fort Lauderdale on June 7.
The Crescent-Stars enter Group D alongside hosts United States men’s national football team, Australia national football team and Paraguay national football team, with expectations steadily growing around a generation many in Türkiye believe can restore the nation’s standing on the global stage.
Montella’s emphasis on continuity was evident throughout the squad. Veterans such as Çağlar Söyüncü, Mert Günok and İrfan Can Kahveci earned places largely because of their reliability and leadership within the group. The coaching staff also weighed dressing-room presence heavily, viewing team harmony as critical in a tournament environment.
Notable omissions underlined the ruthless competition for places. Semih Kılıçsoy reportedly missed out because of limited playing time and concerns over fitness, while Bertuğ Yıldırım was squeezed out due to depth in attacking positions already occupied by players such as Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Deniz Gül.
The goalkeeping department blends experience with competition for the No. 1 shirt. Uğurcan Çakır enters camp as the likely first-choice goalkeeper after another commanding season, while Altay Bayındır brings valuable Premier League experience from Manchester United F.C.
Veteran shot-stopper Mert Günok adds leadership and composure, with Ersin Destanoğlu and Muhammed Şengezer providing depth and competition.
Defensively, Montella has assembled a physically strong and tactically flexible unit. Çağlar Söyüncü, Merih Demiral and Ozan Kabak offer international experience and aerial dominance in central defense, while Ferdi Kadıoğlu continues to grow into one of Türkiye’s most complete modern full-backs after impressing in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Zeki Çelik and Mert Müldür bring versatility on both flanks, while younger names such as Ahmetcan Kaplan and Yusuf Akçiçek represent the next generation of Turkish defenders.
At the heart of midfield remains captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu, whose leadership, passing range and dead-ball quality continue to shape Türkiye’s identity. Alongside him, Orkun Kökçü provides energy and creativity between the lines, while Salih Özcan and İsmail Yüksek add balance and defensive steel in midfield transitions. Bundesliga-based midfielder Atakan Karazor earned recognition for his relentless work rate, and young talents such as Demir Ege Tıknaz and Aral Şimşir underline Montella’s commitment to youth development.
Few players embody the excitement around this squad more than Arda Güler. The Real Madrid CF playmaker arrives at the tournament as one of the brightest young stars in world football, capable of changing matches with a single moment of quality.
Türkiye’s attack is packed with pace, movement and unpredictability. Kenan Yıldız has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards at Juventus FC, while Kerem Aktürkoğlu remains the emotional spark of the team after scoring the decisive playoff winner that sent Türkiye to the World Cup.
Barış Alper Yılmaz offers relentless pressing and direct running, Yunus Akgün brings creativity in wide areas, and rising striker Deniz Gül continues to develop at FC Porto. Young forward Can Uzun is also viewed as one of the squad’s breakout candidates after adapting quickly to Bundesliga football.
Montella’s side qualified for the World Cup by finishing behind Spain in their European qualifying group before surviving the playoffs with victories over Romania and Kosovo. Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s winner in the playoff final sealed Türkiye’s long-awaited return to the competition and further strengthened belief in a squad that has steadily matured since its run to the UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinals.
The final roster will be trimmed from 35 players to FIFA’s 26-man limit before the tournament begins, meaning difficult decisions still await Montella. Yet the broader picture is already clear.
The Cleveland Cavaliers treated Sunday night’s Game 7 on the road like a familiar stage rather than a pressure cooker, and their composure showed from the opening tip.
That familiarity paid off in full.
Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 26 points, while Jarrett Allen delivered a second straight dominant series-clinching performance to power Cleveland into the Eastern Conference finals with a commanding 125-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons in Game 7.
Allen controlled the paint, finishing well ahead of Detroit center Jalen Duren, while Sam Merrill added 23 points off the bench to match Allen’s scoring total. Evan Mobley rounded out a strong all-around effort with his first double-double of the series, finishing with 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers will face the third-seeded New York Knicks in a best-of-seven series beginning Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
It did not take long for Cleveland to start looking ahead.
“This is fantastic. I’m excited, believe me. But we’ve got to be more disciplined,” Mitchell told a television audience, referring to earlier series-opening losses in Detroit and a defeat at home in Game 6 with a chance to advance. “We shouldn’t have to wait to get hit, to get punched in the mouth and face a go-home situation.”
Overpowering the Pistons in nearly every facet, the Cavaliers built a 20-point lead in the first half, extended it to as many as 26 in the third quarter and coasted into their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since defeating the Boston Celtics in seven games in 2018.
Failing to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the 18th consecutive year, the Pistons watched All-Star guard Cade Cunningham miss all seven of his 3-point attempts in a 13-point outing, while Tobias Harris went 0-for-6 from the field and finished with five points.
In winning a Game 7 for the sixth consecutive time dating to 2008, the Cavaliers outshot the Pistons 50.6% (43 of 85) to 35.3% (30 of 85) and outrebounded them 50-41.
Allen, who had 22 points and 19 rebounds when Cleveland needed a Game 7 to eliminate the Toronto Raptors in the first round, finished with 23 points, including 15 in the first half. He credited Mitchell for the early surge.
“He started out the game not trying to take it over, not trying to score every single basket,” Allen said in a televised on-court interview moments after the final horn. “He started the game trying to distribute the ball. That’s huge for a leader like him, trying to get everybody else going, then getting himself going second.”
The lopsided win gives Cleveland a brief turnaround before opening the next round in New York with just one day of rest.
“We know it’s going to be a loud environment. But we know that we can do it,” Allen said. “We came into an incredible arena like this and took over the game. We just have to do it again.”
Daniss Jenkins led Detroit with 17 points and five assists, while Duncan Robinson added 13 points and Caris LeVert scored 11. Duren finished with a team-high nine rebounds.
In his postgame news conference, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff congratulated Cleveland while emphasizing lessons for the future.
“We knew it was going to be a tough series and a tough test for us. (The Cavaliers) outplayed us; give them credit for it,” he said. “Just like last year, we’ll put it in our pocket. We’ll learn from it, and next year we’ll grow and be a better team.”
BREAKING NEWS… Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s second call for purification to CHP! Harsh message to Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu: CHP cannot be the shelter of haram!
UK eases new sanctions on Russia to boost diesel, jet fuel supply
Türkiye criticizes Greece over ‘baseless’ claims on May 19
BREAKING NEWS… Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu’s second call for purification to CHP! Harsh message to Özgür Özel and Ekrem İmamoğlu: CHP cannot be the shelter of haram!
UK eases new sanctions on Russia to boost diesel, jet fuel supply
Türkiye criticizes Greece over ‘baseless’ claims on May 19
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