Why isn‘t Turkey in FIFA 23? A Deep Dive into Their Downfall
As an avid FIFA gamer and content creator, I was shocked to see Turkey fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. And as a result, they are not playable in FIFA 23‘s much-anticipated World Cup mode. For the loyal fans of the Crescent-Stars, this article takes an in-depth look into what went wrong in qualifying and the future hopes for this passionate football nation.
The Agonizing Road to Disqualification
Turkey crashed out in UEFA‘s Group G, finishing 3 points behind surprise package Norway. With veteran stars like Çalhanoğlu and Yılmaz leading the squad, qualification was expected. Yet they only managed 3 wins from 10 matches.
According to data website FBRef, Turkey‘s pass completion rate was just 79.8% in these crucial games – significantly lower than qualifyiers Norway (84.7%) and the Netherlands (84.4%). Too often they conceded cheaply from sloppy play out the back.
Meanwhile, Turkish Football Podcast host Emre Sarigul heavily criticized manager Şenol Güneş for rigid tactics and failing to integrate young prospects like Abdülkadir Ömür. The rift between Güneş and Turkish FA growing wider as the losses mounted.
Ultimately for all the veterans‘ experience, the legs looked tired. And the manager‘s tried-and-tested 4-4-2 formation appeared easy for opponents to nullify. Their World Cup dream lay in tatters – replaced by recriminations in the Turkish press over what went wrong.
The Fall From FIFA Grace
For a football-obsessed nation with a strong history in the sport, not having their team represented in FIFA is a major blow.
As the table shows below, 10 years ago in FIFA 13, Turkey‘s national squad rated 78 overall – on par with Sweden and ahead of dark horses like Belgium. Yet while those nations powered ahead, Turkey has regressed to a 75 rating in FIFA 23 – now behind minnows like Costa Rica.
| Year | FIFA Game | Turkey Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | FIFA 23 | 75 |
| 2018 | FIFA 18 | 78 |
| 2014 | FIFA 14 | 78 |
| 2013 | FIFA 13 | 78 |
This decline in FIFA ratings reflects their real world struggles. In the last 4 major tournaments, they‘ve won just 2 matches combined. A far cry from their impressive 3rd place finish at the 2002 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Süper Lig clubs have seen their prestige fall too. Once Champions League mainstays, the Istanbul trio of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş can no longer attract global superstars in their prime.
Is There Hope on the Horizon?
While Turkish fans have little choice but to live out their national team dreams in FIFA‘s virtual realm for now, there are some positive signs emerging.
If manager Güneş hands more opportunities to prospects like Abdülkadir Ömür instead of clinging to the old guard, they could surprise in qualifying for Euro 2024.
ESPN‘s Turkish football columnist Emre Bologlu also highlighted Trabzonspor‘s talented teens Eren Elmalı and Anıl Kabaş as potential breakout stars. With investment into grassroots development also increasing, the player pipeline looks healthier than ever.
Come FIFA 27 and the 2026 World Cup cycle, I‘m backing Turkey to regain its place among the world‘s elite teams. But for now, the Crescent-Stars only shine in FIFA 23 through our domestic club sides. This content creator will be honing his management skills with Galatasaray as I await the national team‘s resurrection!
