The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here, and Turkey is back on the biggest stage in international football for the first time in 24 years. The Turkish National Team, affectionately nicknamed “Bizim Çocuklar” (“Our Guys”), has been training in Mesa, Arizona ahead of its opening Group D match against Australia on Sunday, June 13 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
Turkey’s return to the World Cup has sparked a wave of national pride and excitement across the country. The team last appeared in the tournament in 2002, where they made a stunning run to the semi-finals, finishing in third place. Fans believe this year’s squad, led by young stars like Juventus forward Kenan Yıldız and Real Madrid’s Arda Güler (both 21), has the potential to replicate that magic.
Viewing Parties Across Turkey
Multiple cities across Turkey are organizing public viewing events to support the national team. In Istanbul’s Sultanbeyli district, the municipality is hosting a special dawn screening at Kent Square, beginning with Fajr prayer at 4:45 AM, followed by a traditional Turkish breakfast with çorba, tea, and simit before kickoff at 7:00 AM. In Kayseri, the Metropolitan Municipality is setting up a giant screen at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan National Garden, offering free soup, tea, and simit to fans gathering as early as 6:30 AM.
These community events are the perfect occasions for fans to show their colors. Custom-printed t-shirts featuring the crescent-star flag, the “Bizim Çocuklar” motto, or favorite player names (especially Güler’s #8 and Yıldız’s #15) are flying off the shelves. Red and white — Turkey’s national colors — dominate the stands wherever the team plays.
Turkey’s Group D Schedule
- June 13 — Turkey vs Australia (Vancouver, Canada)
- June 19 — Turkey vs Paraguay
- June 25 — Turkey vs USA (Los Angeles, USA)
Co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the 2026 World Cup features an expanded 48-team format running from June 11 to July 19. Turkey is in Group D alongside the United States, Paraguay, and Australia — a competitive group that analysts say is wide open.
Apparel and Fan Merchandise
As excitement builds, fans are stocking up on custom Turkey World Cup apparel. Popular items include personalized t-shirts with player names and numbers, group-viewing event tees, and flag-inspired designs. Whether you’re heading to a public viewing square, watching at a local cafe, or hosting a watch party at home, wearing the red and white is a must.
Turkey’s national team anthem competition, organized by the Ministry of National Education and the Turkish Football Federation, also concluded this week with Bursa Zeki Müren Fine Arts High School winning for their composition “Bizim Çocuklar.” The winning song has been recorded with a professional music video filmed at Bursa Merinos Stadium, adding even more fan energy to the tournament.
Get your custom Turkey World Cup gear ready and join the nation in supporting “Bizim Çocuklar” as they chase glory on the world’s biggest football stage!