No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Mauricio1
- 1
Arda Güler8 - 2Kenan Yildiz6
- 3Hakan Çalhanoglu5
- 4Diego Gómez4
- 5Kerem Aktürkoglu3
- 6Ismail Yüksek3
- 7Julio Enciso2
- 8Miguel Almirón2
- 9Ferdi Kadioglu1
- 10Zeki Çelik1
- 1Andrés Cubas4
- 2Ismail Yüksek3
- 3Juan José Cáceres3
- 4Julio Enciso2
- 5Abdülkerim Bardakci2
- 6Júnior Alonso2
- 7Mauricio2
- 8Kerem Aktürkoglu1
- 9Arda Güler1
- 10Álex Arce1
Turkey and Paraguay will both be looking to get their World Cup 2026 campaigns back on track when they meet in a crucial Group D encounter on Saturday 20th June (4am UK time). Our Turkey vs Paraguay predictions, best bets and team news are below.
After stinging defeats in their openers, both countries head into this duel knowing the stakes are high. Another loss could already spell an early exit.
Turkey vs Paraguay Predictions & Betting Tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay over 2.5 cards | 21/20 @ Ladbrokes (48.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Paraguay racked up five yellow cards in the 4-1 defeat to the United States and are unlikely to see too much of the ball against Turkey, which could increase the likelihood of tactical fouls and cynical challenges to break up attacks. |
| Hakan Calhanoglu to score or assist | 41/20 @ Virgin Bet (32.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Turkey’s creative king and captain has 22 goals for the national team and accumulated 19 goal involvements in 30 matches for Inter Milan last season. Turkey will be looking for him to sparkle against Paraguay, who were ripped to shreds against the United States. |
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams go into Turkey vs Paraguay
Turkey
Turkey arrived at World Cup 2026 tipped by many as potential dark horses. Yet their campaign began with a surprise 2-0 defeat to Australia in Vancouver.
The result was especially frustrating given Turkey’s dominance throughout. They controlled 71.6% of possession and peppered the Australian goal with 30 shots, eight on target. Even so, they could not turn that superiority into goals.
Vincenzo Montella’s side must find their shooting boots in time for Paraguay. The South Americans’ defensive frailties were exposed in a damaging 4-1 defeat to the United States. If Turkey keep up that attacking pressure and add composure in front of goal, they have every chance of a first World Cup win in 24 years. They last managed that in 2002, when they finished third.
Paraguay
Paraguay were pretty dreadful against the United States. They suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to the co-hosts, struggling to gain a foothold and leaking three first-half goals. Gustavo Alfaro’s side managed just 34.7% possession. They also registered only one shot on target as they were outplayed for long spells.
Paraguay will be eager to put that performance behind them and start afresh against Turkey. After all, the South Americans have shown they can compete with the very best. They beat both Argentina and Brazil during qualifying.
Turkey team news
Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella could stay loyal to the same starting XI against Paraguay. After all, they dominated the opener and created plenty of chances.
However, if they do change it up, expect Kenan Yildiz to come in. He played the second half against the Aussies and scored three goals in qualifying.
Paraguay team news
Paraguay endured a disaster in the opening game, meaning Gustavo Alfaro could make a couple of changes in preparation for Turkey.
Damian Bobadilla is probably the most likely to be dropped. He scored an own goal against the States and was then hauled off at half-time.
Head-to-Head: Last Meeting
The countries have only locked horns on one previous occasion which was a goalless draw in an international friendly back in June 1995.
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 18/06/2026 | Paraguay 0-0 Turkey | International Friendly |
Expect a response from Turkey in California
Turkey’s opening 2-0 defeat to Australia was one of the biggest surprises of the first round. But the scoreline tells only part of the story. Montella’s side dominated large spells of the contest. Only they will know how they failed to score from 30 shots.
We’re expecting a big response against Paraguay in California, spearheaded by skipper Hakan Calhanoglu who can be backed at 41/20 to score or assist.
Paraguay are fully capable of pulling off a result themselves. Even so, it could be another long night for the South Americans. They had five players booked against the US, and are available at 21/20 to register over 2.5 cards on Saturday.
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