Filip Krastev raises the alarm after Turkey defeat: “They’re mocking us, laughing at us”
Turkey defeated Bulgaria once again in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group E, winning 2–0 in Bursa after their emphatic 6–1 victory in Sofia earlier in the campaign. The result secured Turkey’s place in the play-offs, while Bulgaria’s crisis deepened, leaving the team devastated.
Following the match, Bulgaria’s 24-year-old midfielder Filip Krastev delivered a brutally honest assessment of their national team’s situation, openly expressing frustration and emotional exhaustion.
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Turkey secure play-off spot; Bulgaria remain pointless
Turkey controlled the match at Timsah Arena and claimed a comfortable 2–0 victory with goals from Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Atanas Chernev (own goal). The win took Turkey to 12 points, securing a play-off berth for the World Cup.
Bulgaria, meanwhile, have yet to collect a point after five matches, scoring only one goal while conceding 18.
Krastev: “We’re mentally broken. We don’t trust each other.”
Speaking after the match, Krastev highlighted the severe psychological problems within the Bulgarian squad:
“Ever since I joined the national team, we’ve been mentally broken. We don’t trust each other. This needs to change. Those who criticize us are no different from us. We must support one another and believe in each other. We are not where we should be, but we must keep improving.”
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“People mock us. When they mock us, the whole country becomes a joke.”
The Bulgarian midfielder added that their string of poor results has made them a target of public ridicule:
“We are a product of the state. We’re no different from the people watching on TV. When we play this badly, people mock us, and we become a joke. And when they mock us, the entire country becomes a joke.”
He emphasized that the issue goes beyond football:
“This must change. Who are they mocking? It’s a message to all Bulgarians. This is a problem in football and in the country.”
Bulgaria will play their final group match under immense pressure, aiming to avoid finishing the campaign with zero points.
