VANCOUVER, CANADA June 13, 2026 — Hundreds of passionate Turkish supporters gathered at Jonathan Rogers Park on Saturday, transforming the sunny green space into a vibrant celebration of national pride as they prepared for Türkiye’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Australia.
Dressed in red and white jerseys, waving Turkish flags, and sporting face paint featuring the national colors, fans created an electric atmosphere with chants, songs, and a lively pre-match march toward BC Place Stadium. The gathering marked a major moment for the Turkish diaspora in Canada and returning supporters, as Türkiye makes its first World Cup appearance since 2002.
The match, part of Group D, kicks off at 9:00 p.m. local time (Saturday, June 13) at BC Place in Vancouver — one of the opening fixtures for the co-hosted Canada-Mexico-USA tournament. Australia’s Socceroos face a formidable Turkish side featuring stars like Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler, and Kenan Yıldız under coach Vincenzo Montella.
Organized with support from the Turkish Consulate General in Vancouver, the fan event included a planned march starting at 5:00 p.m. from Jonathan Rogers Park in Mount Pleasant, heading toward the Science World SkyTrain station and the stadium. Similar energy was seen earlier in the week when fans warmly greeted the Turkish national team upon arrival at their hotel.
Videos from the park captured smiling families, groups of young fans posing with flags, and large crowds dancing and cheering under clear blue skies, with the city skyline and mountains visible in the background. Estimates suggest up to 35,000 Turkish supporters could attend the match, promising a raucous home-like atmosphere for the Crescent Stars.
This Group D opener sets the tone for both teams, with Türkiye aiming to build momentum against later opponents including the United States and Paraguay, while Australia looks for an upset in their campaign.
As the World Cup spotlight shines on Vancouver, the Turkish fans’ vibrant showing underscores the global passion the tournament continues to inspire.
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