Recommended reading

Euro 2024: Why is Turkey now referred to as Turkiye?

By published

The country now wants to be called Türkiye as part of a new campaign launched by its current president

Turkey
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Is it Turkey or Turkiye?

Fans tuning into this summer's European Championships in Germany have often been left to ponder the same question, given Vincenzo Montella's side are now acting under a different alias altogether.

What's the reason why you ask? Well, we here at FourFourTwo have decided to delve that little bit deeper to provide you all the answers to the question most footballing fans will have been wondering all along...

WATCH | Why Scotland Couldn't Beat Hungary

Why are Turkey now known as 'Turkiye' and what's the reason behind the change?

Turkey Euro 2024 squad Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkiye looks on during the Group F - UEFA EURO 2024 match between Turkiye and Portugal at BVB Stadion Dortmund on June 22, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Turkiye star Hakan Calhanoglu in action at Euro 2024 (Image credit: Getty Images)

President of the Republic of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, submitted a request to the United Nations back in June 2022. Most Turks already know their country as Turkiye, however, the agreed change was due to the English interpretation of the term 'Turkey' and a step towards a better feeling of historic values.

"Turkiye is the best representation and expression of the Turkish people's culture, civilization, and values," Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement after the confirmed change was made.

Another reason for the alteration was the Cambridge English Dictionary's definition of one of the meanings of the word is listed as "something that fails badly" or "a stupid or silly person".

As part of the re-branding, "Made in Turkiye" is now seen on all exported products, and tourism campaigns are now signalled with a catchy catch-phrase of "Hello Türkiye".

Get a free live stream to watch Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world ahead of the summer's big tournament

Turkey Euro 2024 squad Turkiye squad poses for team photo with Bans Alper Yilmaz, Samet Akaydin, Mert Muldur, Kaan Ayhan, Abdalkerim Bardaka, Goalkeeper Mert Gunok, Orkun Kokço, Ferdi Kadoglu, Arda Guler, Kenan Yildiz and Hakan Calhanodlu during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Turkiye and Georgia at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 18, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Turkiye's players line up ahead of their Euro 2024 clash against Albania  (Image credit: Getty Images)

More Euro 2024 stories

We have a guide on how to get Euro 2024 tickets if you're still looking to go to the tournament. Can’t make it out there? Don’t worry: here’s how to watch Euro 2024 live streams from anywhere in the world

We have the run-down on Euro 2024 stadiums, with info on host cities, capacities, and everything you need to know.

We also have a list of the Euro 2024 favourites, with best odds on nations to win European Championship in Germany, while these are the best Euros games ever and these are the best pundits ever.

TOPICS
Matthew Holt
Matthew Holt

Matthew Holt writes freelance for FourFourTwo, amongst others, and boasts previous experience at GOAL and SPORTBible. He now works with us alongside his time at Manchester United and Reach PLC, aiding with online content for the website. Career highs include working at the FA Cup final, as well as scoring at Old Trafford in front of the Stretford End. A long-term sufferer of his beloved Scunthorpe United, he is often seen on the padel court, as well as occasionally as a six-a-side call-up.