Hakan Şükür, the former Turkish footballer now living in exile, has weighed in on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, noting that the tournament will take place near his current home. The comment from one of Turkey's most celebrated players adds a personal dimension to a global event that already carries political and emotional weight for many.
A striker’s new vantage point
Şükür, who spent years as a star striker for the Turkish national team and several clubs, left his homeland after a political fallout. He has been living abroad ever since. In his recent remarks about the 2026 World Cup, he pointed out that the tournament will be held in the region where he now resides — a fact that underscores the distance between his past and present.
During his playing days, Şükür was known for his speed and goal-scoring instinct. He played a key role in Turkey’s third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup, a moment that made him a household name. But his life took a sharp turn after he entered politics and later faced accusations that forced him into exile.
Why the location matters
The 2026 World Cup will be the first edition to be hosted by multiple nations. For Şükür, the proximity of the tournament to his exile home carries a certain irony. He did not elaborate on his feelings, but his observation hints at the complexity of watching the world’s biggest football event unfold just steps from where he now lives, far from the country he once represented.
The former footballer’s comment comes as preparations for the 2026 tournament ramp up. Host cities and stadiums are being finalized, and the global football community is turning its attention to the event. Şükür, once a face of Turkish football, now watches from the sidelines — geographically closer to the action than ever, but further from his roots.
What comes next
Şükür has not disclosed whether he plans to attend any matches. The tournament is still more than a year away, and his status as an exile means travel and public appearances remain complicated. For now, his remark stands as a quiet observation from a man who once thrilled crowds on the pitch and now finds himself an outsider looking in on the game he helped define.
