Istanbul's buses get World Cup makeover to support national team

Istanbul's iconic red buses and metrobuses are now sporting a patriotic makeover to rally support for the Turkish national football team during the World Cup. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's transport arm, İETT, unveiled specially designed vehicles to coincide with Turkey's return to the global tournament after a 24-year hiatus.

The national team's third appearance in the World Cup has sparked widespread enthusiasm, and İETT aims to amplify this fervor by transforming its fleet into mobile symbols of national pride. Six buses and three metrobuses have been wrapped in vibrant designs reflecting the tournament's spirit and the team's colors.

These specially decorated metrobuses will run 24 hours a day along the city's vital 52-kilometer route, traversing the Bosphorus via the 15 July Martyrs Bridge and carrying the nation's pride between the European and Asian sides. Meanwhile, the themed buses will navigate high-traffic routes across both continents, aiming to immerse Istanbul residents in the tournament atmosphere and create a visual spectacle throughout the sprawling metropolis.