Türkiye return to the World Cup after 24 years to face Australia in Vancouver

Türkiye walk out for their first World Cup match in 24 years on Saturday night in Vancouver, with Australia standing between them and a winning start. The Group D opener at BC Place kicks off at 9:30am IST on Sunday.

The group already has a frontrunner. The United States, one of the three host nations, began with a 4-1 win over Paraguay, so both Australia and Türkiye know that defeat would leave them playing catch-up from their very first match.

A generation in the making for Türkiye

The last time Türkiye reached a World Cup, in 2002, they went all the way to third place. Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız, the young pair now carrying so much of the expectation, had not yet been born. Vincenzo Montella’s team came through the European playoffs in March to end the long wait, and they arrive with real quality: captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu running midfield, and the attacking spark of Yıldız, Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu ahead of him. On talent alone, Türkiye are the side most neutrals will fancy here.

Australia’s habit of making life hard

Australia rarely arrive as anyone’s favourite, and rarely go away quietly either. Tony Popovic’s Socceroos qualified through the Asian section and lean on the experience of captain Mathew Ryan, the goalkeeper preparing for a fourth World Cup, and midfielder Jackson Irvine. Their game is built on organisation and stubbornness rather than flair, the kind of approach that can drag a more gifted opponent into a long, frustrating afternoon. If Türkiye are sloppy, Australia will make them pay.

What to watch

The early question is whether Türkiye’s youngsters seize the occasion or let nerves take hold against a side happy to sit deep and counter. Çalhanoğlu’s passing range against Australia’s compact midfield should decide how much room Güler and Yıldız get to work in. With the USA already three points clear at the top, neither team can afford to drift into a slow start.

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