Best course in this competition during the Euro 2000 (before arriving in the semifinal at the Euro 2008). After defeating Belgium at home (2-0, doubled by Hakan Şükür) in the first round, the Turks stopped in the quarter-finals against Portugal (2-0). But what is remembered is especially the superb course at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
The Turkish side did not succeed in its first participation in a final World Cup, the second will be much brighter. In their first group match, the Turks make an impression in front of Brazil, before losing a narrow. They then draw 1-1 against Costa Rica and then qualify for the knockout stages by defeating China (3-0).
Opposed in the round of 16 to one of the organizing countries, Japan, they win 1-0. Then again 1-0 (thanks to a golden goal of Ilhan Mansiz) quarter-final against the surprise of the tournament, Senegal, France's defending champion. The Turks then find Brazil in the semi-finals. They have to lose (1-0)
but then take third place to the other organizing country, South Korea (3-2). These good performances and the rise in global football are worth to Turkey an invitation to the Confederations Cup in 2003, where Turkey confirms its new "status", finishing third of the tournament and eliminating, in passing, Brazil . This heyday of Turkish football has placed the national team among the teams that count in European and world football.
