Players of Türkiye celebrate their victory at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup UEFA Qualifiers Group E match between Georgia and Türkiye at Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, September 4, 2025. (AA Photo)
October 14, 2025 05:17 PM GMT+03:00
Ahead of today’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Türkiye and Georgia, a group of Georgian journalists visiting Kocaeli received an unexpected gesture of hospitality at a local fast-food restaurant in Kocaeli.
Salome Saginashvili, a journalist for 90 min., a Georgian sports outlet, shared the experience: “We were wearing Georgian national team shirts when the owner approached us and asked if we were from Georgia. When we said yes, he smiled and said, ‘Then today, you’re my guests.’ He refused to let us pay for our food — wraps and drinks — and even brought tea and a traditional Turkish dessert on the house. Then he said, ‘This is all for Davit Skhirtladze. He played here, and I respect him so much.’”
Saginashvili added that the owner also played Georgian music while they ate, creating a heartwarming connection far from home. “In that moment, I felt proud to be Georgian,” she said.
Matchday updates
The Turkish Football Federation announced that proceeds from today’s match will be donated to Gaza, and Palestinian children will attend with their families, participating in the pre-match ceremony.
Baris Alper Yilmaz is available after serving a two-match suspension. Irfan Can Kahveci is sidelined due to injury, while goalkeeper Muhammed Sengezer replaces Berke Ozer, who left the camp without permission.
More to Read
Türkiye vs. Georgia: Historical context
Today’s match will be Türkiye’s 645th official fixture. Over its 102-year history, the national team has played 644 matches, recording 253 wins, 150 draws, and 241 losses, with 887 goals scored and 923 conceded. Türkiye has faced opponents from 92 different countries: 558 in Europe, 34 in Asia, 24 in Africa, 25 in the Americas and 3 in Oceania.
Türkiye and Georgia have met seven times previously, with Türkiye winning five, drawing once, and losing once. In these matches, Türkiye scored 18 goals and conceded 8.
Stadium revenue donated to Gaza
The Turkish Football Federation has decided to donate the proceeds from today’s match at Kocaeli Stadium to support civilians affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Palestinian children will attend the match with their families and will take part in the pre-match ceremony, walking onto the field alongside Türkiye’s national team players.
October 14, 2025 05:19 PM GMT+03:00