Why didn’t Turkey participate in organizing the 1950 World Cup?

November 20 in Qatar kicked off the World Cup, one of the most popular sports organizations in the world. National teams from 32 countries compete in 8 different groups consisting of 4 teams in the group stage of the organization. Although millions of people are closely watching the World Cup, the excitement experienced by the citizens of the countries that managed to take part in the tournament is, of course, greater …

Unfortunately, our country was not able to take part in the 2022 World Cup. However, there is a very sad period in our history when we could not go to the tournament, although we were selected for the World Championship. Let’s take a closer look at one of the most tragic events in our sports history, the history of the Turkish national football team’s refusal to participate in the World Cup held in Brazil in 1950…

After the 1938 World Cup in France, football fans were deprived of the most prestigious football organization in the world for 12 years.

After the tournament in France II. World War II deeply affected the entire world. For this reason, the organization of the World Cup could not be held for 12 years. This exciting tournament, which has witnessed unforgettable moments and events throughout history, was only revived in 1950 after the end of the war.

It was decided that Brazil would host the 1950 tournament.

Serious preparations for the World Cup began in the country. During this period, the Maracana stadium, one of the largest stadiums in the world, was built in Rio de Janeiro, with a capacity of 200,000 people. In addition, host Brazil was listed among the favorites of the tournament …

In order for Turkey to qualify for the 1950 World Cup, it had to overcome obstacles from Syria and Austria.

Unable to fully overcome the devastating effects of the war, Austria announced its withdrawal from the tournament. Thus, Turkey faced Syria for a ticket to the World Cup. Led by Cihat Arman, one of the legendary names of Turkish football, the national team of Fahrettin Cansever (3), Bulent Eken, Erol Keskin, Lefter Küçukandonyadis and Gunduz Kılıç left the field with a clear 7-0 victory. Turkey played well against Syria and qualified for the World Cup…

In the 1950s in Turkey, as in many countries, there were troubled days.

Moreover, under the conditions of that period, Brazil was very far from Turkey! The government was unable to allocate the necessary allowance for a trip to Brazil to the Turkish Football Federation due to economic problems in the country. For this reason, Turkey could not go to the tournament, although it had the right to take part in the 1950 World Cup!

Thus, Turkey went down in history as a country that, in its entire football history, had the right to participate in 3 different world championships, but was able to participate in only two tournaments. Our country managed to take part in the tournaments held in 1954 and 2002.

If the Turkish national football team could go to Brazil for the 1950 World Cup, they would be in the 4th group, which includes the USA, Mexico and India.

Only 13 teams participated in the 1950 World Cup, which Turkey was unable to attend due to financial difficulties. England, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia from Europe. Mexico and USA from North and Central America. Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay from South America were able to take part in the tournament.

Uruguay defeated Brazil in the last match of the tournament to win the trophy.

Who knows, maybe the national team would have gone to Brazil and brought the trophy to our country, if not for the economic problems that Turkey was going through at that time…

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