Germany head coach Joachim Low has warned Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan to expect whistles on Sunday following their meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month.
The two Germany internationals, both of Turkish descent, were pictured with Erdogan last month, a decision which brought condemnation from their football association (DFB), fans and politicians in Germany.
Gundogan was booed in a friendly against Saudi Arabia on Friday, a match in which Ozil did not play, and the start of the World Cup may not bring the end of the jeers for the pair.
“My job now is to bring both players to top form so that they are well prepared,” Low said at a press conference ahead of Germany’s opening Group F game against Mexico.
“They will possibly be accompanied by some whistles.
“OK, it is what it is. I cannot influence the whistles. I would have liked it differently but my job is to get them into the flow and help our team.”
Several politicians condemned the pair’s decision to pose alongside Erdogan, whose regime has been condemned by human rights campaigners due to its arresting of journalists and opposition politicians, particularly in advance of elections in Turkey on June 24.
Gundogan had handed over a signed shirt bearing the slogan “with respect for my president” and Low accepted the Manchester City midfielder had been affected by the country’s reaction to events.
“He was a bit dejected after the game and we had to build him up a bit. This three-day break before arriving in Russia was good for him," he said.
"Maybe both can now turn the switch and focus on what is important for us. We will succeed in having them in the form we want them in."
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