Turkey vs Paraguay – FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D, Matchday 2
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | Saturday 20 June 2026
The Stadium
Levi’s Stadium sits in the heart of Silicon Valley, a sleek, modern bowl that opened in 2014 as the permanent home of the San Francisco 49ers. Unlike the weather-beaten venues of American football lore, Levi’s was designed with the corporate comfort of a tech-campus campus in mind: a green roof planted with drought-resistant California grasses, open-air concourses that catch the Bay Area breeze, and sightlines engineered so that almost no seat feels remote from the action.
For the 2026 World Cup, the stadium is one of 16 venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico hosting matches, and it brings considerable recent pedigree to the tournament. It staged Super Bowl 50 in February 2016, and has hosted College Football Playoff fixtures and international soccer friendlies — but it is worth being precise: Levi’s did not exist during the 1994 World Cup, which was held at Stanford Stadium in nearby Palo Alto. The Bay Area’s 1994 history belongs to that venue, not this one.
For Group D Matchday 2, the stadium will operate under full FIFA tournament protocols — expanded media facilities, temporary signage, and dedicated team-end supporter sections. The natural grass pitch, which the 49ers periodically swap for artificial turf, will be restored to FIFA specifications for the tournament. Capacity sits at roughly 68,500 for NFL events, though FIFA configuration can alter usable seat counts slightly.
Getting There
Levi’s Stadium is served by the Santa Clara station on the VTA light rail system. From downtown San Jose’s Diridon Station — the main rail hub for the South Bay — VTA light rail on the Mountain View–Winchester or Alum Rock–Santa Teresa lines can connect you toward the stadium, though the routing requires patience; allow at least 45–60 minutes from Diridon. For major events, the VTA typically runs enhanced shuttle services directly between Diridon and the stadium, which cuts that time significantly and is strongly recommended.
From San Francisco itself, the fastest public route combines Caltrain from San Francisco 4th & King station to Santa Clara station (roughly 60–70 minutes on the express), then a short walk or shuttle to the venue. Caltrain runs event specials on match days — check the Caltrain website in advance and buy tickets before the day.
From San Francisco International Airport (SFO), take BART to Millbrae, transfer to Caltrain southbound, and proceed as above. From San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), a taxi or rideshare to the stadium takes under 15 minutes in normal traffic.
Driving is an option but not recommended on match day. Parking lots surround the stadium and must be pre-purchased through the official venue or NFL ticketing system; street parking in the area is extremely limited. Rideshare drop-off zones are well-organised and a practical choice if you are staying in San Jose or along the Caltrain corridor.
Travelling From Home Countries
For fans travelling from Turkey: Istanbul Airport (IST) is Turkey’s primary international hub and offers regular non-stop and one-stop connections to San Francisco International (SFO). Non-stop flying time is approximately 14–15 hours; itineraries via European hubs such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or London add a connection but may offer competitive fares. Once in San Francisco, the Caltrain corridor puts you 70–80 minutes from the stadium by public transport. Turkish fans should book accommodation in San Jose or along the Peninsula early — the Bay Area hotel market for World Cup dates will be competitive.
For fans travelling from Paraguay: Asunción’s Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU) does not offer direct North American routes to California. The most common routing connects through São Paulo (GRU), Lima (LIM), Bogotá (BOG), or Miami (MIA) to SFO. Total journey times, including connections, typically range from 14 to 20 hours depending on the hub. Paraguayan supporters willing to travel via Miami or Houston may find more frequent onward services. As with Turkey fans, proximity to Caltrain or Diridon Station simplifies the final leg considerably.
Tickets
Official tickets for all 2026 FIFA World Cup matches are sold exclusively through FIFA’s official ticketing platform at fifa.com/tickets. The process has followed a phased ballot and first-come-first-served model in previous tournaments, and fans who missed earlier sales windows should monitor the site for any remaining inventory or resale through FIFA’s own authorised resale platform.
For a Group D Matchday 2 fixture, scarcity will depend on how both nations are positioned in the group going into the match and broader fan travel patterns. Be honest with yourself: Group stage tickets at a major US venue for a World Cup will not be cheap on the secondary market, and unauthorised resellers carry real risk of counterfeit or invalid tickets. Stick to FIFA’s official channels or well-known licensed platforms. Prices across the tournament have historically varied by stadium tier and category — expect a meaningful premium over the base price on the open market if official inventory is exhausted.
Fan Zones and City Guide
FIFA is expected to operate official Fan Festivals in host cities throughout the 2026 tournament. For the Bay Area, confirmed details and exact locations were not finalised at time of writing — check fifa.com closer to the event for the official site. San Jose’s downtown core, particularly the area around Diridon Station and the SAP Center, is the natural gathering point for visiting supporters, with a cluster of bars and restaurants within walking distance.
For a broader night out, San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose is a covered food hall with a relaxed atmosphere suited to pre-match gatherings. The Fountainhead and several sports bars along Santa Clara Street carry international sports packages and will likely be packed with mixed-nation supporters during the tournament.
If you arrive a day early, three things are worth your time. First, take the Caltrain up to San Francisco and walk the Embarcadero waterfront — the bay views and the Ferry Building market make for a sharp contrast to match-day crowds. Second, Stanford University’s campus in nearby Palo Alto is a short ride away and worth an hour’s wander. Third, the Computer History Museum in Mountain View is genuinely fascinating for anyone curious why Silicon Valley took root exactly here — and it’s a five-minute walk from a Caltrain stop.
Watch the Match Remotely
If you can’t make it to Santa Clara in person, full broadcast information and a detailed match preview — including team news, group context, and tactical breakdown — are available at the link below.
Full preview and where to watch
FAQ
- Where is Turkey vs Paraguay being played?
- Turkey vs Paraguay is being played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, as part of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Matchday 2 on Saturday 20 June 2026.
- How many fans does Levi's Stadium hold?
- Levi's Stadium has a capacity of approximately 68,500 for NFL events. FIFA tournament configuration may adjust the usable seat count slightly for World Cup matches.
- How do I get to Levi's Stadium from San Jose city centre?
- The most straightforward route is VTA light rail or a dedicated event shuttle from Diridon Station in downtown San Jose. On match days, enhanced shuttle services typically run directly to the stadium. Allow at least 30–45 minutes from Diridon. Caltrain from San Francisco to Santa Clara station, followed by a short walk or shuttle, is the recommended option for fans coming from further north.
- Can I still buy tickets for Turkey vs Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup?
- Official tickets are sold through FIFA's ticketing platform at fifa.com/tickets. If initial sale phases are closed, check the site for any remaining inventory or FIFA's authorised resale option. Avoid unofficial resellers due to the risk of counterfeit tickets.
- What is there to do in San Jose for football fans during the World Cup?
- San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose is a good spot for food and pre-match drinks, and several sports bars along Santa Clara Street will be showing tournament fixtures. For a day trip, San Francisco's Embarcadero waterfront and Stanford University's campus in Palo Alto are both accessible by Caltrain and worth a visit before match day.