Turkey are fancied to impress at the 2026 World Cup and will hope to raise expectations of a strong performance at the tournament by beating Australia in their Group D opener.
Vincenzo Montella’s side have landed in a favourable group after coming through the UEFA play-offs to reach the finals.
They are the heavy favourites to see off the Socceroos in Vancouver as they make their return to the World Cup stage after 24 years away.
Turkey famously surged to the semi-finals in 2002 before losing to eventual winners Brazil and then winning the third-placed play-off with co-hosts South Korea.
While ambitions of reaching the same stage in North America may be fanciful, Turkey’s recent exploits in tournament football give rise to thoughts they could excel in only their third appearance at a World Cup finals.
Turkey caught the eye at Euro 2024, in which they reached the quarter-finals before surrendering a one-goal lead in a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands.
While much has been made of the demands set to be placed on the teams during a World Cup held across three countries in the North American summer, Montella expects his team to rise to the occasion.
On Australia, Montella said: “They are a team with different qualities. We need to improve our own performance and play our own game. The World Cup is demanding for everyone.
“The travel distances are long and the weather conditions can vary significantly. Whoever adapts the quickest will have an advantage. There’s no point in making excuses. This is the national team, you have to deliver your best performance.”
Australia were a surprise package at the last World Cup as they reached the last 16 in 2022.
They overcame Denmark and Tunisia in their group before losing to champions Argentina in the knockouts.
The clear underdogs in a group also featuring co-hosts United States and Paraguay, few will give the Socceroos much hope of reaching the same stage of the expanded 48-team tournament this time around.
However, Australia have only once failed to earn at least a point at a World Cup finals, losing all three games in 2014. Coach Tony Popovic signed a contract extension until the 2027 Asian Cup ahead of this game, pointing to satisfaction with the direction of a team that features nine players under the age of 25 in the squad.
One of those is Jordan Bos, whose ability to impress playing on the left side in defence, midfield or as a winger has many identifying the Feyenoord man as a potential breakout star of the tournament.
And Bos conceded he is motivated by the extent to which the Socceroos have been doubted heading into the finals.
“We’re really hard to beat,” Bos told ESPN. “Everyone has a good connection; I think we work well together. We’re classed as underdogs nearly every tournament we go to; it’s nice to prove people wrong.
“I think the boys are all ready for it. And everyone just wants to get out there and show everyone what we can do. We don’t have players who play at the biggest clubs in the top leagues, but we work well together.
“All I’ve seen is the US people saying whatever they’re saying. I have seen that, and it’s kind of got me fired up a little bit. I just want to go out there and get the win.”
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Team news for Australia v Turkey
Australia do not have any injury issues heading into their opener.
Turkey, meanwhile, are likely to be without Juventus star Kenan Yildiz because of a calf issue.
Predicted line-ups for Australia v Turkey
Australia: Ryan; Italiano, Circati, Souttar, Herrington, Bos; Metcalfe, Irvine, O’Neill, Leckie; Toure
Turkey: Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali; Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Guler, Kokcu, Yilmaz; Gul
Where to watch Australia v Turkey: TV and online streams
Australia v Turkey kicks off at 5:00am UK time on Sunday. It will be broadcast on ITV1 in England and STV in Scotland. The game will also be available via ITVX and the STV Player.
Stats for Australia v Turkey
- This will be the first competitive meeting between Australia and Turkey.
- The two sides met in a pair of friendlies in 2004, with Turkey winning both.
- Turkey are unbeaten in their last eight games since a 6-0 defeat to Spain in September last year.
- Vincenzo Montella’s side have conceded just once in their last four games.
- Australia have lost only one of their four matches in 2026.
- However, the Socceroos have failed to score more than one goal in seven of their last eight games, the only exception a 5-1 win over Curacao.
- Australia have not lost a competitive fixture since a 1-0 home defeat to Bahrain in qualifying in September 2024.
Prediction for Australia v Turkey
Australia have a track record of making life difficult for superior opposition at World Cups. Turkey should, therefore, not expect to have everything their own way. However, their quality will likely tell in the end.
Prediction: Australia 0-2 Turkey
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