The opening Group D match of the 2026 World Cup pits Australia against Turkey, with the United States and Paraguay also participating in the group stage. For Australia, the match represents a bid to advance to the round of 16 for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, Turkey returns to the World Cup after an extended absence, entering the tournament in strong form following their qualifying campaign.
Coached by Vincenzo Montella, the Turkish squad aims to begin the tournament with a victory. Since the start of 2025, the team has recorded only two losses. The fixture will feature attacking players for Australia, including Irankunda and Toure.
On the opposing side, Turkey is expected to field key players such as Barış Alper Yılmaz, Orkun Kökçü, Arda Güler, and Kerem Aktürkoğlu, with Kenan Yıldız available as a substitute. The contest is anticipated to be closely contested as both nations seek crucial points in the opening match.
Topics: #turkey #australia #montella
