Turkish national team faces controversy before World Cup opener

On June 13, 2026, a video circulated on social media appearing to show Turkish national team player Caglar Soyuncu and two unidentified teammates smoking on a hotel balcony. The incident occurred just hours before Turkey's scheduled match against Australia on June 14 at 07:00, which marks the country's first World Cup appearance in 24 years. While some social media users allege the players were smoking cigarettes or joints, the authenticity of the footage remains unverified. Public reaction has been highly critical, with fans questioning the professionalism of the players involved. Turkish national coach Vincenzo Montella has not issued an official statement regarding the event. Some observers have suggested that the footage could potentially be a deepfake generated by artificial intelligence. No official disciplinary actions have been confirmed by the Turkish Football Federation at this time.