“It will be very, very loud,” says Ferdi Kadioglu with a twinkle in his eye and a knowing smile. “People in the stadium will have to be careful with their ears!”
The Türkiye full-back is setting the scene ahead of his nation’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ European play-off semi-final against Romania in Istanbul later this month.
The match will represent a monumental occasion in Kadioglu’s career and his nation’s proud football history. It has been 24 years since Türkiye last competed at the global finals, when Senol Gunes’ side embarked on a stunning run to finish third at Korea/Japan 2002.
“For us, it’s a must to go to the World Cup,” adds Kadioglu. “It’s such a big chance now to qualify. It would be a really special feeling, because it was such a long time ago when we last made it. We know we have a great team with great players, and also a lot of experience.”
Victory over Romania at Besiktas Park on 26 March would set up a qualification decider away to Slovakia or Kosovo five days later.
“We have showed in the last few years that we have improved a lot,” says Kadioglu. “Even against big teams, we show up. We are not afraid of anyone. We won against Germany, we won against Austria. We did have a big loss against Spain, but in the return match against them we got a draw. We improved from our mistakes. I have all the trust in the team.”
Kadioglu, 26, is speaking to FIFA from the training complex at club side Brighton & Hove Albion.
He joined the Premier League team in August 2024 on the back of an exceptional UEFA EURO campaign where Türkiye reached the quarter-finals. Kadioglu’s barnstorming displays won many admirers and Brighton acted quickly to sign him up from Fenerbahce.
While his maiden season in England was frustrated by injury, he has bounced back impressively in 2025/26 and been one of Brighton’s standout performers.
All told, Kadioglu explains, the move has been a resounding success on a personal and professional level.
“This is a special club,” says Kadioglu. “It’s a club which wants to improve players. We have a good squad, and a good coach. When I was injured, they supported me in every way. I am very grateful for that.
“I live in the city and it’s different to Istanbul! It’s a little bit calmer, and we have the seaside as well, which is very nice. It’s a good area to live. All positive things.”
Kadioglu has been near ever-present in the Seagulls’ starting XI this term, with boss Fabian Hurzeler stating he “fits perfectly into the Brighton family”. The German coach has also saluted the Türkiye star’s “very good decision-making and understanding of the game”.
That football intelligence has allowed Kadioglu to excel in almost every outfield position on the park. While he has revealed left-back is now his “favourite” position, he has slotted in seamlessly at right-back and higher up the field on both wings. Kadioglu also operated in central midfield earlier in his career, with his athleticism, composure and varied passing range making him a natural fit for the role.
“It helps that I played in many positions when I was younger,” Kadioglu explains. “I started as a midfielder. Then in the first teams, I played as a winger, as a full-back. So, I put everything (my qualities) in my backpack and, when I go on the pitch, then I try to show my best.”
Born in the Netherlands to a Turkish father and a Dutch-Canadian mother, Kadioglu represented the country of his birth up until U-21 level before declaring for Türkiye in 2022.
He learned his trade at the academy of NEC Nijmegen and went on to become the club’s youngest-ever Eredivisie player, aged 16 years and 326 days. In his formative years, Kadioglu’s father also put him through his paces with the help of a skills DVD hosted by revered Dutch youth coach Wiel Coerver.
Kadioglu credits his upbringing for developing his tactical awareness and positional flexibility.
“Growing up in the Netherlands, I think it comes automatically,” says Kadioglu. “I had training at my academy, where there is a focus a lot on possession and on tactical things. My father helped me a lot and we watched a lot of Wiel Coerver. I think that’s why my basic technique is okay.”
Such self-deprecation is typical of a player whose humility and hunger for self-improvement have also earned praise from Brighton coach Hurzeler. For his part, Kadioglu believes he has greatly benefited from working with the Seagulls boss and playing regularly in high-octane Premier League matches.
“The intensity is very high here. If I compare it with the league I came from, it’s a lot more high-intensity runs. That’s a big difference and that helps you to be ready in every game.
“I think I have learned a lot of new things here in Brighton. Every coach has their own specialities, and they want to bring something to the team. We have a German coach, and he likes to play very intense football. After the games, we always analyse what we did well and what we did badly. We have weekly video analysis, also personal video analysis. They try to make you a better player, and I’m really enjoying that.”
Off the field, meanwhile, Kadioglu experienced the “best moment of my life” when he became a father in October 2025. His face lights up upon the mention of daughter Felicia’s arrival.
“It was so special,” he says. “She’s our happiness now in the family. Every time when you come home and you see her smiling, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Asked whether his sleep patterns have been affected, Kadioglu’s smile grows even wider.
“I think we are lucky with our baby! She’s doing really well and, of course, my wife is helping a lot. So yeah, I really appreciate that!”
Less than a fortnight out from Türkiye’s World Cup play-off showdown with Romania, Kadioglu cuts a contented yet determined figure – a man ready to tackle one of the biggest matches of his life head on.
“The EUROs were our first step, and now we want to make the next step,” he says. “I think we can do it. When we’re together in Türkiye, it’s like a big family. We have a big heart and we fight for each other on the pitch. Next to that, we have great players with great qualities. It’s a mix of everything.”
In that mix are two of Europe’s most exciting young talents in 20-year-old Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz and Real Madrid playmaker Arda Guler, who turned 21 in February.
“They are both great players,” says Kadioglu. “When they are on the ball, you enjoy watching them. They always do something special.
“I play with Kenan on the left. Sometimes I just give him the ball and he will sort it out! I played with Arda in Fenerbahce when he was really young. He showed crazy talent. I am happy now that he is playing a lot in Madrid.”
Kadioglu, Yildiz, Guler and Co are two victories away from securing a World Cup ticket. If Türkiye can beat Romania and then overcome Slovakia or Kosovo, they will join Group D at the global showpiece; a tantalising section featuring co-hosts USA, Australia and Paraguay.
On what it would mean to bring the nation back to the greatest show on earth, Kadioglu says: “It would be immense, because the people live football in Türkiye. I think for most people, football is the most important thing. If we can reach the World Cup, it will be a party for all the country.”
