Federation | Juntas directivas

Football and Diplomacy Come Together Two Weeks Before Spain–Turkey

Rafael Louzán conveyed his best wishes at the residence of the Turkish ambassador in Madrid ahead of the upcoming qualifier between both countries on November 18 in Seville:

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Wed, 05/11/2025 - 15:56

🤝 Fútbol y diplomacia, unidos a dos semanas del España-Turquía.

🇪🇸-🇹🇷 El presidente de la @rfef y la embajadora turca @TC_MadridBE, Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, se encuentran con los jefes de las legaciones diplomáticas: "El fútbol une a los pueblos"

ℹ️ https://t.co/z3rDrj90Tv pic.twitter.com/ualU1abPnF
— RFEF (@rfef) November 5, 2025

Before dozens of ambassadors currently serving in Spain as heads of their respective diplomatic missions, the president of the RFEF expressed his gratitude for the reception offered on Tuesday by the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, held two weeks before the match that will bring both national teams together in Seville.

“Why not unite sports diplomacy around football as a way to meet and get to know each other better?” asked Rafael Louzán.
“Winning is wonderful, but friendship is even more beautiful.”

Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, who has served as Turkey’s ambassador to Spain for more than two years and was welcomed to the Ciudad del Fútbol last July 15, greeted those in attendance, highlighting “the importance of football as a powerful tool for diplomacy and for bringing nations together.”

In his remarks, the RFEF president described Turkey and Spain “as two countries that share far more than history and geography. We also share a passionate way of experiencing football, of understanding effort, pride, and the emotion this sport inspires.”

Both national teams currently lead their World Cup qualifying group, and the match on November 18 at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville will determine which side secures a direct place in the final tournament and which must compete in the play-offs.

Confident about the outcome, Rafael Louzán concluded: “One way or another, Spain and Turkey will both be at the next World Cup, because we represent two great footballing traditions and two passions lived from the heart. Football has enormous power to build bridges and to showcase the best of every country.”

His words were met with warm applause from those in attendance.