Australia and Turkey will get their 2026 World Cup campaigns underway when they face off on Sunday at 5am (UK time).
Australia are at the World Cup for the sixth consecutive tournament, and are making their seventh appearance overall. The Socceroos made the round-of-16 last time out, despite losing their opening group game. In fact, Australia have only won their opening group game of the World Cup once.
Turkey, meanwhile, are back at the World Cup after a 24-year absence, following on from their bronze medal in 2002. This will be just their third World Cup overall, being knocked out of the group stage on debut in 1954.
These nations have met twice before, with both games coming in a friendly double-header in May 2004. Turkey won both matches, which were played in Australia.
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Australia vs Turkey team news
Australia team news
The Socceroos haven’t had the best buildup to the World Cup, going winless in their two pre-tournament matches. But it was more about getting the players up to fitness and finalising any key details. Australia will go with a back three, which has stayed the same across the two friendlies. Harry Souttar wil captain the side from centre-back, joined by Alessandro Circati and Lucas Herrington, with Mathew Ryan in goal behind them.
Given the difficulty of the opponent, Australia may opt to go more reserved with deeper full-backs rather than attacking wing-backs. So Jacob Italiano and Jordan Bos should start on the right and left, respectively. Aiden O’Neill will be one of the deeper midfielders protecting the defence and is one of the first names on the teamsheet. Tony Popovic has tried a few different options for his partner, and Jackson Irvine may win that battle.
Australia do have depth in their attack, especially on the wings. Connor Metcalfe is another favourite of Popovic and has moved around the team depending on the system needed. He was used on the left of the midfield in a friendly against Mexico, and may continue there. Mathew Leckie will start on the right, with Mohamed Toure likely to lead the line.
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Turkey team news
Turkey had an interesting buildup, testing a few systems. They went for a back three in their first game against North Macedonia, before reverting to a 4-2-3-1 in the win over Venezuela. Turkey are expected to continue with the 4-2-3-1, but Vincenzo Montella will be happy to know he has options.
Ugurcan Cakir looks set to be Turkey’s No.1 goalkeeper for the tournament, beating Altay Bayindir and Mert Gunok. The back four looks pretty settled to. Zeki Celik and Eren Elmali are set to start as the full-backs, with Ozan Kabak and Abdulkerim Bardakci the centre-back pairing. But the likes of Caglar Soyuncu, Merih Dermiral and Samet Akaydin will be fighting for their spots.
Orkun Kokcu is a guaranteed starter in Turkey’s midfield and Hakan Calhanoglu is expected to play alongside him. The Inter Milan midfielder did not start either pre-tournament friendly, but he did join up late due to Serie A commitments. Arda Guler and Baris Alper Yilmaz are the young stars of Turkey’s attacking line and they’ll be looking to play with freedom. Deniz Gul is expected to lead the line, with Irfan Can Kahveci on the right.
Australia vs Turkey predicted lineups
Australia (5-4-1): Ryan; Herrington, Circati, Souttar; Alex Sandro; Guimaraes, Casemiro; Luiz Henrique, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr; Cunha.
Turkey (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Celik, Kabak, Bardakci, Emali; Kokcu, Calhanoglu; Kahveci, Guler, Yilmaz; Gul.
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