Sultanbeyli Municipality is organizing a large-scale early-morning public viewing event in Istanbul for Türkiye’s opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, turning an unusual kickoff time into a structured community gathering built around prayer, breakfast, and football.
The event will take place at Sultanbeyli Kent Square on Sunday, as Türkiye faces Australia in a Group D clash played at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium late on June 13 local time in Canada. The time difference places the match in the early morning hours in Türkiye, prompting municipalities across the country to arrange public screenings.
Sultanbeyli’s program is carefully staged to follow the rhythm of the morning. At 4:45 p.m., the gathering begins with Fajr prayer, setting a reflective tone before the sporting focus of the day. By 5:30 a.m., the square transitions into a communal breakfast service, where residents will be served traditional çorba, tea, and simit, creating a shared space for families, supporters, and local residents to come together before kickoff.
At 07:00, attention shifts fully to football as a large outdoor screen broadcasts Türkiye’s Group D opener against Australia. The municipality has positioned the screening as the centerpiece of the morning, expecting strong attendance from across the district as fans gather in a single public space to follow the national team’s World Cup journey.
