Saturday night showdown: Australia vs. Turkey opens FIFA World Cup in Vancouver
Posted on: Jun 13, 2026 10:20 IST | Posted by: Cbc
After team up Canada's edward white knuckle joint quarter with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, the subject soccer spotlight shifts west Saturday to Vancouver for the second match of the FIFA men's World Cup on Canadian soil between Australia and Turkey.
While the home nation isn't represented, both countries are looking forward to a strong fan showing inside B.C. Place come game time.
According to Australia media, 10,000 die-hards from down under are following the Socceroos on their World Cup journey.
"We do know that we'll have fantastic support here," said Australia head coach Tony Popovic at the team's opening press conference Friday. "We've seen so many Australian fans walking the streets here in Vancouver, which is wonderful."
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Judging from social media posts, it's the Turkish fans who have taken it to another level, gathering by the hundreds greeting the team at their Vancouver hotel with flags and red and white smoke bombs.
Turkey's Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella said he appreciates the enthusiasm.
"We've seen a lot of supporters showing us love," he said through an interpreter. "Now is emotional and we trust we are going to do well."
The Group D foes will be the first test of the natural grass pitch that has replaced the artificial turf in B.C. Place, specially grown and newly installed to exacting FIFA specifications.
On Friday, Turkey cancelled a scheduled venue familiarization session — essentially a chance to check out the pitch at B.C. Place — opting instead for practice at the official training site at East Vancouver's Killarney Park.
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Montella said the B.C. Place field was "visually great," calling Vancouver "fabulous, with all the conditions to start the tournament beautifully."
Australia is appearing in its sixth straight World Cup going back to 2006. Twice the team has made it through to the round of 16, including four years ago in Qatar.
Turkey is back in the tournament after a 24-year absence and is the favourite in Saturday's match. Montella stated earlier that Turkey is more talented than Australia.
"All we can do is try and spoil the party," said Australia midfielder Aiden O'Neill. "That's our challenge and that's what we aim to do."
The match begins later than usual in Vancouver, at 9 p.m. PT, 12 a.m. ET.
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