Euro 2024 is set to captivate football enthusiasts from June 14 to July 14, as Germany hosts the pinnacle of European national team football.
Since the tournament expanded to include 24 countries in 2016, Euro has consistently showcased a mix of established contenders and emerging teams, injecting new excitement into each edition.
Among the seasoned competitors, Turkey stands out as perennial dark horses once again in 2024. Placed in Group F alongside Portugal, Georgia, and Czechia, Turkey’s formidable squad aims to make a mark and potentially upset more celebrated opponents.
Notably, keen-eyed fans will observe a shift in how the team is referenced by international media, TV broadcasts, and UEFA itself during the tournament. Both “Turkey” and “Turkiye” are being widely used, reflecting cultural and linguistic nuances while ensuring inclusivity and respect for the nation’s identity on the European football stage.
As the drama unfolds across stadiums in Germany, all eyes will be on the dynamic performances, unexpected upsets, and the unfolding narrative that defines each Euro tournament.
Is it Turkey or Turkiye, and are they the same country?
The renaming and identity in sports can be a matter of national pride and representation. As Euro 2024 approaches, Turkey finds itself in a situation similar to their Group F counterparts, Czechia, who have officially embraced a change in their sporting identity from the former Czech Republic.
In 2022, Turkey’s request to be referred to as Turkiye was endorsed by the United Nations, reflecting a desire to align their sporting identity more closely with the name commonly used by Turkish citizens. This change is seen as a step towards greater cultural authenticity and national representation on the global stage.
Despite Turkiye being adopted as the default name by UEFA for Euro 2024, English language media, (including The Business Upturn), typically continue to use “Turkey.” This preference stems partly from the practical challenges posed by diacritics, such as the accents found in regional alphabets like Türkiye, which are not commonly used in English typography.
In essence, while the official landscape of sports and international organizations may adapt to reflect these changes, the evolution of language and its practical application in global media continues to shape how nations are referred to and recognized in the world of sports.
Turkey history and records at Euros
At Euro 2024, Turkey finds themselves placed in Group F, alongside formidable opponents such as 2016 champions Portugal, as well as Czechia and Georgia.
Turkey’s journey in the European Championships has been one of gradual emergence. Despite being one of the founding members of the competition in 1960, they did not qualify until their breakthrough appearance at Euro ’96 in England. Since then, Turkey has steadily solidified their presence on the Euro stage, qualifying for five tournaments in total.
Their most notable achievement came in 2008, when they made a thrilling run to the semifinals, marking their best performance to date in the competition. This accomplishment remains a testament to Turkey’s ability to compete at the highest levels of European football, showcasing their potential to spring surprises and challenge even the most established contenders.
As they prepare for Euro 2024, Turkey aims to build on their past successes and make their mark once again, seeking to navigate through a competitive group and advance deep into the tournament.
| Year | Hosts | Record (W-D-L) | Stage reached |
| 1996 | England | 0-0-3 | Group Stage |
| 2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | 1-1-2 | Quarterfinals |
| 2008 | Austria/Switzerland | 2-1-2 | Semifinals |
| 2016 | France | 1-0-2 | Group Stage |
| 2020 | Europe | 0-0-3 | Group Stage |
