Türkiye Stars Güler and Çalhanoğlu Warn: Spain Don’t Know What Awaits Them in Konya

Key Takeaways:

• Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu warned that Spain will encounter a tough test when they travel to Konya on Sunday for their World Cup qualifier
• Vincenzo Montella’s Türkiye edged Georgia 3-2 in Tbilisi, while Spain overcame Bulgaria 3-0 in Sofia yesterday
• The fixture will take place at the 42,000-capacity Konya Büyükşehir Belediye, where Türkiye famously defeated France 2-0 in 2019

Previewing the World Cup Qualifier

As the World Cup qualifiers continue, Türkiye are set to host reigning European champions Spain in Konya on Sunday. Turkish internationals Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu have emphasised the challenge awaiting their visitors, citing the passionate home support as a key factor for the forthcoming encounter.

Recent Performances Set the Stage

Türkiye secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Georgia in Tbilisi, showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience under Vincenzo Montella’s guidance. In their most recent fixture, Spain demonstrated their quality with an emphatic 3-0 win over Bulgaria in Sofia.

⚫️ Arda Güler:

“İspanya çok iyi olabilir ama onlar için de zor bir maç olacak. Onlar Konya’daki atmosferi bilmiyorlar.” pic.twitter.com/aYuMxTwjtW

— SİYAH SANCAK (@siyahsancakx) September 4, 2025

Quotes from the Turkish Camp

Following the win, Arda Güler stated: “This will be a difficult match in theory, but it won’t be easy for Spain either. They still don’t know what an incredible atmosphere there is in Konya. We want to continue to bring joy to our fans. Let’s not underestimate ourselves. Against Spain, we’ll give our best, and it will be a very good match, God willing.”

Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu added: “Now it’s time for Konya, where we’ve achieved historic victories. We’ve never been left alone there. Our fans will give their best, and so will we.”

Konya Büyükşehir Belediye: Turkish Fortress

The match is being staged at the Konya Büyükşehir Belediye, a stadium with a capacity of 42,000 spectators. Opened in 2014, the venue quickly established itself as a stronghold for the Turkish national team, including a memorable 2-0 triumph over then-reigning world champions France in 2019. Since its inauguration, Türkiye have played approximately a dozen matches at this ground, benefitting from fervent home support in each encounter.