MESA, AZ \u2014 Mesa is poised to welcome a world-class athletic event as Turkey\u2019s men\u2019s national soccer team prepares to set up their training camp at Arizona Athletic Grounds, sources confirmed to ABC15.<\/p>\n
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, beginning June 11th in cities across North America, Mesa will become an international enclave for Turkish fans and athletes alike.<\/p>\n
The news has invigorated Mesa\u2019s Turkish community, including business owners Mustafa Uygur and his son, Ali, who operate the Microfix24 repair shop<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>near Arizona State University. Originally from Istanbul, the Uygur family has called Tempe home for nearly a decade.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s exciting. I\u2019m almost six or seven thousand miles away, and they\u2019re coming here. The practice field is going to be just a 19-minute drive from my house. It\u2019s a dream come true,\u201d Mustafa said, unable to contain his enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Ali echoed his father\u2019s sentiment. <\/p>\n \u201cHopefully, we can go visit them at their practices here in Mesa. I\u2019m also looking forward to going to at least one game. Maybe if I can convince him,\u201d Ali joked, hinting at a family outing.<\/p>\n Turkey\u2019s last appearance at the men\u2019s World Cup was in 2002, when the team finished third overall. Their Mesa camp signals significant international attention for the city, as the Turks prepare for matches on the West Coast. Two of Turkey\u2019s three group stage contests will be held in California, including a highly anticipated June 25 match against the U.S. national team.<\/p>\n