Türkiye at the FIFA World Cup 2026: The Crescent Stars Ready to Shine in North America
One of the most compelling storylines as we approach the 2026 FIFA World Cup is Türkiye's return to the tournament after missing out for 24 years. The Crescent Stars were last seen on the World Cup stage in 2002, when they finished third, beat co-hosts Japan and became one of the tournament's greatest success stories. The years that followed have brought heartbreaks and near-misses and a group of players who were not able to repeat that success until now. That is, until the World Cup 2026 Qualifiers where Türkiye qualified via a UEFA Play-Off victory over Kosovo and Romania. Türkiye find themselves in Group D with the host USA, Paraguay and Australia. With 85 million football enthusiasts and a large Turkish diaspora in Germany and elsewhere, Turkish football fans looking to watch their national team live in one of the stadiums should be securing their World Cup 2026 Tickets as soon as possible with demand expected to be high and limited supply.

Can Türkiye Impress at the 2026 World Cup?

Türkiye have assembled perhaps the best squad they have fielded in more than two decades with Hakan Çalhanoğlu the creative spark from centre midfield for Inter and one of the game's best deep-lying playmakers in Serie A. Meanwhile Arda Güler, the star young Real Madrid player who stunned Europe in Euro 2024 with a stunning goal and who remains one of the most exciting players in the footballing world, is still early in his professional career. Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Ferdi Kadıoğlu add quality in addition to width and pace in the wide areas of the pitch. In Euro 2024 the Turks had some mixed results, advancing to the quarter-finals of the competition after beating Austria before losing to the Dutch. The Turkish side has some issues but also showed their potential against top quality European sides and with host nation the USA in the group and a 48-team World Cup, Türkiye will not find their qualification to the next round an easy task but with quality attackers on their books it is definitely not out of the realm of possibilities. Reaching the Round of 16 seems the bare minimum. Going further would actually be a real achievement, and given the group of players they have, it's certainly achievable.

Entry Rules for Turkish Fans Heading to North America

Turkish fans will face different travel arrangements depending on which of the three host countries they choose. It's vital to be well prepared if they're keen on heading to North America.

United States: Turkish fans are not eligible to use the US visa waiver scheme and must obtain a valid B-1/B-2 visitor visa to visit. The US State Department's website has a useful resource specifically for World Cup fans with information on how to apply, the requirements and processing times for World Cup visas at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas. Tourists visiting the US will have to complete a DS-160, provide a valid passport, proof of funds, as well as proof of where they are staying and a confirmed return ticket. It is highly recommended that fans start this process at least three to four months prior to travel. With US consular appointments in Ankara and Istanbul in such high demand for the tournament, this should be the first task for Turkish fans who have not yet started their visa application process.

Canada: Turks require a visitor visa to enter Canada, however, if they have a valid US visa already, they might be eligible for an electronic travel authorization (eTA), a simpler visa to enter via air. Fans should refer to Canada's government immigration website to verify their eligibility. Canada has a small but growing number of Turkish nationals, and many Turkish fans will transit through Canadian cities, where they must ensure their travel documents are in place well before departing.

Mexico: Turkish fans may enter Mexico without a visa, provided they do not wish to stay for more than 180 days. The Mexican host cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey — are visa-free for Turks to visit and are great options as home bases for the first couple of weeks of the tournament, especially if fans have yet to secure a US visa.

Host Cities Turkish Fans Will Likely Be Headed to

Türkiye have landed in Group D with the United States, Paraguay and Australia. They will likely play all their group stage games at venues across the US, while potential knockout stage games will take them to stadiums like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and AT&T Stadium in Dallas. The World Cup Final is also played at MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

New York/New Jersey is home to one of the largest Turkish populations in the country with several Turkish communities across the area's tri-state region. The wider New York area is known for its established Turkish-American communities, with several Turkish restaurants, cultural clubs and mosques. MetLife Stadium, which will host the Final, makes the New York/New Jersey area a must-visit location for any Turkish fans with ambitions of travelling to the later stages of the tournament.

Los Angeles is home to an established Turkish-American population and boasts a major international airport, along with SoFi Stadium and the general cosmopolitan charm of the city. July in Los Angeles is also not bad, which means that it is a much more enjoyable location as a base for visiting fans.

Dallas is a major domestic hub that offers convenient connections to matches in the southern US and the southern Midwest, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington is among the most impressive in the whole tournament.

Accommodation: Where to Stay

There will be very tight competition for accommodation close to some major venues. City-by-city advice:

New York/New Jersey: East Rutherford and Secaucus are the closest towns to MetLife Stadium. Paterson in New Jersey has a Turkish and Middle Eastern population, and might suit fans seeking more of a familiar cultural environment. Manhattan provides the quintessential New York experience, at a premium, and has good NJ Transit match-day services to MetLife.

Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium is in Inglewood. El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey are the most useful areas close to the stadium, and all have Metro K Line train connections to SoFi.

Dallas: AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. Arlington is the best town for match days, while downtown Dallas offers the far more rewarding experience for a multi-day stay, with more restaurants, pubs, and attractions.

Book on accommodation providers offering free cancellation such as Booking.com, Hotels.com and Expedia — you can always change your stay depending on which cities Türkiye play in the knockout stages.

Getting There: Flights and Internal Travel

Istanbul Airport (IST) has direct services to New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Dallas DFW, Miami and Chicago O'Hare. Istanbul is one of the largest international airports in the world and is served by Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Delta and American Airlines. Turkish Airlines, specifically, has one of the biggest international networks of all airlines, allowing fans to fly to many cities in the USA through convenient connections at its Istanbul hub. Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) can also be used for connecting flights if needed.

Prices of transatlantic fares on Turkey-USA routes have been on the rise in preparation for the World Cup. Those fans who are still thinking about purchasing air tickets to the tournament should do so right now. Southwest Airlines, Delta and American Airlines fly between several US host cities and offer a very high frequency of connections across all 11 World Cup venues. Multi-city travel is very easy to arrange, allowing fans to spend a few days at each venue. Make sure to build in a few days of buffer time at each stop.

Tickets: The Reality

Official tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are sold online through FIFA's website. FIFA.com is the first port of call for those in search of any remaining match ticket allocations, official resale listings or VIP ticket and hospitality packages. Those fans that find it difficult to buy tickets on the official website are not going to have any better luck finding a seat on Facebook, Reddit or other forums. Alternatively, purchase directly through approved brokers like Ticombo or Seatpick, or another reputable and certified ticket exchange site where each transaction is protected. The secondary market ticket costs could be higher than the original price. Groups must make careful arrangements when buying several seats — they will not necessarily be able to guarantee adjacent seating, depending on the venue layout.

Additional Advice for Turkish Supporters

Currency: USD is the accepted currency at all venues and cities. Currency exchange at airports is typically the worst option available. Get better rates through ATMs or services like Wise when converting from Turkish Lira.

Phone plans: Turkish SIM cards such as Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey or Türk Telekom don't offer US roaming at a good price. If you wish to access the internet on your phone then eSIM providers like Airalo, or T-Mobile short-term tourist plans are better options.

Health insurance: The US does not offer public healthcare to non-residents. Make sure to get comprehensive medical insurance as part of your travel insurance before you arrive.

Turkish Consulates: Türkiye has consulates in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Chicago and San Francisco. Make a note of the appropriate numbers before you travel for emergency help.

Halal food and prayer: The host cities of New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Dallas also host large Muslim communities with mosques and plenty of halal food choices throughout the US. This should not be a problem for Turkish fans looking to worship during the tournament.

Weather: The summer in Dallas and Miami is sweltering and very humid while LA is hot and dry. The conditions in these cities are often more challenging than what a Turkish summer offers depending on the area. Make sure you keep yourself well hydrated especially while hanging around outdoor fan zones.

Closing Thought

The Turkish National Football Team's first World Cup in 24 years is more than a footballing story — it is a historic moment for a country that is longing to return to the top of world football once again. The squad possesses the talent, the rising stars, and the hunger to make their mark. For the Turkish community scattered throughout the world, North America in summer 2026 is the place to be.

Fellow supporters looking for the best spot in the stadium should make their moves quickly. Türkiye World Cup 2026 Tickets are in high demand and the opportunity to get them through reputable channels is getting slimmer by the day as June approaches.

The Crescent Stars are back. 24 years later, it is time for them to shine again.

Disclaimer: All visa requirements, hotel availability, plane fare pricing and ticket policies are subject to change. Fans must be sure to check any entry requirements with the relevant authorities in their local country, via FIFA official pages and with their airline. Ticket prices for the secondary market can vary from the face value.