Australia vs Turkey — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 1
Match preview / What to expect
Updated Jun 6, 2026Group D rounds out its opening day with Australia against Turkey, a meeting of two sides who fancy their chances of joining the USA in the knockouts. Tony Popovic's Socceroos are well-drilled, hard-running and tournament-hardened; Vincenzo Montella's Turkey are blessed with a glittering young core in Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz alongside the metronomic Hakan Calhanoglu.
On talent, Turkey hold the edge, and they will want the ball to let Guler and Calhanoglu dictate. Australia's counter is to make it a contest of legs and duels, pressing in packs and using Harry Souttar's aerial presence at both ends.
This has the makings of an open, end-to-end group game. Turkey's individual quality should give them control, but Australia's organisation and set-piece threat keep them firmly in it.
Key storylines
- 01An open Group D: with the USA fancied, this is effectively a fight for second place.
- 02Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz headline Turkey's exciting young generation.
- 03Hakan Calhanoglu pulls Turkey's strings from deep in midfield.
- 04Australia's set-piece and aerial threat through Harry Souttar.
- 05Tony Popovic's organised, high-energy Socceroos travel well.
Prediction
Turkey's class to edge a lively one. Friendly call: Australia 1-2 Turkey.
Projected lineups
Projected XI — not confirmed
Australia
Formation 4-2-3-1- 1Mathew Ryan (GK)
- 2Aziz Behich
- 3Harry Souttar
- 4Cameron Burgess
- 5Milos Degenek
- 6Jackson Irvine
- 7Aiden O'Neill
- 8Martin Boyle
- 9Ajdin Hrustic
- 10Mathew Leckie
- 11Adam Taggart
Turkey
Formation 4-2-3-1- 1Uğurcan Cakir (GK)
- 2Mert Müldür
- 3Merih Demiral
- 4Abdülkerim Bardakci
- 5Ferdi Kadioğlu
- 6Hakan Calhanoğlu
- 7Ismail Yüksek
- 8Arda Güler
- 9Kerem Aktürkoğlu
- 10Kenan Yildiz
- 11Bariş Alper Yilmaz
Team news
Australia
- Harry Souttar is a major aerial weapon in both penalty areas.
- Jackson Irvine and Aiden O'Neill provide the legs and bite in midfield.
- Australia's strength is collective organisation and set-piece delivery.
Turkey
- Arda Guler is the gifted creator Turkey want on the ball in the final third.
- Hakan Calhanoglu controls tempo and is a set-piece specialist.
- Kenan Yildiz adds another layer of youthful attacking quality.
Sources
Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.
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