Group D opens on 14 June at BC Place in Vancouver with Australia against Turkey. The USA and Paraguay are also in the group, so losing here leaves either side needing to overturn their opener against two difficult opponents to stay on course for automatic qualification, with the top two advancing and the best third placed sides also going through.
Tony Popovic and Vincenzo Montella have never met in competitive football. Popovic took charge in September 2024, bringing the perspective of a former Socceroos defender who knows the programme well, on a contract running through the tournament. Montella has been in the job since September 2023 and his tenure has already produced a run to the Euro 2024 quarter finals.
Australia's recent record is mixed in a way worth noting. They beat Japan 1-0 in June 2025, knocked off Saudi Arabia 2-1 to seal qualification and picked up a 1-0 win against Cameroon but stumbled in draws and losses against Switzerland and Mexico. Turkey's form reads differently: their WDWWWW sequence includes Nations League promotion and qualifier wins capped by 1-0 victories over Romania and Kosovo in play off rounds, making them slight favourites.
Australia have no major injury concerns and a full squad available, with Mohamed Toure carrying a minor fitness doubt after missing training. Turkey are similarly healthy, the notable exception being Kenan Yildiz, who has a calf problem and looks unlikely to start. Ferdi Kadioglu is back after missing a friendly and Arda Guler has shaken off an earlier hamstring issue.
Popovic's team is built to be difficult to break down, with the intention of hurting Turkey on the counter through Irankunda and Leckie. Montella's Turkey want to own the ball and create width, though Yildiz's absence removes some of the creative unpredictability from a side that relies heavily on Guler to unlock defences.
The midfield battle between Jackson Irvine and Hakan Calhanoglu will probably settle the game's tempo, Irvine's job is to disrupt, Calhanoglu's is to orchestrate. Harry Souttar and Cameron Burgess will need to contain Guler's creativity and the width Baris Alper Yilmaz provides on the right, while Irankunda's pace in behind will test Turkish full backs who push high. Souttar is also Australia's main threat from set pieces and if Turkey's defensive concentration slips at a corner, it could be costly.
Australia 2-1 Turkey. Popovic's defensive shape and Souttar's threat from set pieces should frustrate Turkey's possession game long enough for Australia to hurt them through Irankunda and Leckie on the counter. Turkey have enough quality to score, probably early but Australia's discipline should carry them through.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
