100th match surprise for Hakan Çalhanoğlu!

The Turkish National Football Team, which will play the 4th match of its group in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers against Georgia in Kocaeli, has arrived in the city.

Having completed their pre-match preparations, the national team delegation traveled directly from Riva to Kocaeli Stadium, where they walked onto the pitch after the press conference. The national team players also held a surprise celebration as they stepped onto the pitch before the official match against Kocaeli, their first in 17 years.

A CAKE WAS CUT FOR ÇALHANOĞLU

A cake was brought to the center of the field to celebrate team captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu's 100th national match. Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş, and Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tahir Büyükakın also accompanied the international footballer during the 100th-anniversary cake-cutting ceremony.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM TEAMMATES

Captain Çalhanoğlu, who ate cake from TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu, also accepted the congratulations of his teammates. Büyükakın presented the national athlete with flowers to congratulate him and wish him success.