The 5th International Football and Science Congress, hosted by Marmara University’s Faculty of Sport Sciences with contributions from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), was held on October 13, 2026, at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities in Riva.
The opening ceremony brought together prominent Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur; Deputy Governor of Istanbul Ünal Kılıçarslan; Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Congress Chair Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mustafa Yorulmazlar; TFF Secretary General Abdullah Ayaz; Istanbul Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Seyda Dursun; Deputy Mayor of Beykoz Burak Karaçam; as well as academics, students, representatives of the sports community, and members of the press. The event commenced with a musical performance by the Marmara University Music Ensemble, conducted by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Uslu.
“Football Has Its Own Sociology and Spirit”
In the opening session of the congress, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Emin Okur, Rector of Marmara University, stated that football in these lands is not merely a sport, but holds deep social and cultural significance. Pointing out that football provides a crucial sociological ground with the power to transform perceptions on a global scale, Prof. Dr. Okur remarked that global reactions during the Gaza conflict, as well as the international support extended to underrepresented regions and African nations during major tournaments, clearly reflect this spirit of solidarity and resistance.
Addressing the moral and humanitarian principles that must be upheld in football, Prof. Dr. Okur called for the sport to be free from alcohol, gambling, and abusive language. He stressed that football should not be used as a vehicle for such practices and thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the organization of the congress.
"Competition Is No Longer on the Pitch, But in Knowledge Production”
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mustafa Yorulmazlar, Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences and Congress Chair, noted that the faculty has been shaping Turkish sports and sports science for 52 years since its founding in 1974. Highlighting that the institution has produced more than 8,000 qualified alumni—including world and Olympic champions—Yorulmazlar stated that this year's congress is centered around the theme: "The Intersection of Football and Science: Data, Innovation, Performance, and Success."
Highlighting that the Faculty has trained more than 8,000 qualified graduates to date, including world and Olympic champions, Yorulmazlar noted that this year's congress is held under the theme 'The Intersection of Football and Science: Data, Innovation, Performance, and Success.'
Emphasizing that competition in the world of sport has taken on a new dimension, Yorulmazlar underlined the importance of scientific approaches to achieving lasting success. “Countries that generate knowledge, use data effectively, and place science at the center of decision-making gain a significant advantage in international competition,” he said.
Speaking at the congress, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Secretary General Abdullah Ayaz emphasized that success in modern football extends beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch, highlighting the need to establish sustainable systems built on data analytics, technology, athlete health, and professional management. Ayaz emphasized that academic knowledge should play a pivotal role in the decision-making processes of both federations and clubs.
Following remarks by Deputy Governor of Istanbul Ünal Kılıçarslan, Istanbul Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Seyda Dursun, and Deputy Mayor of Beykoz Burak Karaçam, the opening program concluded with a plaque presentation ceremony and a group photograph.
The three-day congress will examine football across various dimensions from both academic and sectoral viewpoints, featuring panels and sessions on a broad range of topics on movement and training sciences, athlete health, sports management, and AI-powered data analytics.
