26.
06:26
Let’s move on! The referee releases the game again after the drinking break.
23.
06:23
There is a drinking break in the first half.
22.
06:22
The Australians continue to stand very close to their teammates and close the spaces in Türkiye’s offensive. The Turks continue to look for gaps, but haven’t found them yet.
19.
06:20
Next long-range shot from the Turks. The 38th in the world rankings come through again via the right side. After a pass from Çalhanoğlu from the center, Kadıoğlu shoots with his right from a half-left position. His shot from around 18 meters flies past the box to the left.
17.
06:18
Next corner for the 2022 World Cup round of 16. Metcalfe crosses the ball again long and high to the second post. Çakır reaches for the ball, but Circati heads it just past the post to the left.
16.
06:16
The Turks are still looking for gaps in the Australian defense. In the last few minutes they tried again and again with long balls to the edge of the penalty area, but the Australians did it well.
13.
06:13
Now the Socceroos have to play the game. After a deep pass to the right side, Italiano runs the ball along the baseline and crosses the ball high to the second post. But his cross goes nowhere. Australia follows up, but can no longer put the ball on goal.
11.
06:11
After just over ten minutes, the Turks already have almost 75% possession of the ball and are establishing themselves in the opponent’s half. The Asian champions are still tight at the back and are not yet allowing a shot from the penalty area.
8.
06:09
First corner for the Socceroos. The FC St. Pauli player Metcalfe brings the ball high and sharply from the right side to the second post. Çakır pays attention and safely fishes the leather out of the air.
7.
06:08
Next finish for the 2008 European Championship semi-finalists. The Turks establish themselves again and Güler takes a shot from around 16 meters from a half-right position. The Real Madrid player shoots with his left. But his shot clearly flies around a meter to the left of the box.
7.
06:07
The Australians continue to start early, shift well and Turkey keeps looking for gaps in the Australian defense. Çalhanoğlu looks for Güler on the right, but the pass is a bit too steep.
4.
06:04
First degree for Turkey. The 2002 World Cup semi-finalists settle in the opponents’ half. Çalhanoğlu gets the ball on the half-right and the Mannheim native simply shoots with his right from around 22 meters. His shot is deflected and flies clear to the left of the box. The subsequent corner poses no danger.
2.
06:02
The Turks immediately take control of the game. But the Socceroos start early and force the ball straight away. A pass from Italiano from the right baseline gets stuck.
1.
06:01
Let’s go! Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela gives the game a go and Australia kicks off.
1.
06:00
Game start
05:55
The two teams are on the field. The national anthems sound. It’s about to start.
05:47
Australia’s head coach Popovic changes his starting lineup five times compared to the friendly against Switzerland. For Herrington, Trewin, Behich, Volpato and Yengi, Burgess, Italiano, Bos, Metcalfe and Touré start. His counterpart Montella also swaps four times. Demiral, Kadıoğlu, Çalhanoğlu and Aktürkoğlu start for Kabak, Elmalı, Kahveci and Gül.
05:41
Turkey is led by captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu. The Mannheim native with Turkish roots played in the Bundesliga until 2017 and has been under contract with Inter Milan since 2021. Also in the squad are Arda Güler from Real Madrid, Salih Özcan from Eintracht Frankfurt, Can Uzun from Eintracht Frankfurt, Barış Yılmaz from Galatasaray Istanbul and Ozan Kabak from 1899 Hoffenheim. The 2008 European Championship semi-finalists want to achieve success at this World Cup primarily through controlled and possession-oriented football.
05:34
From a tactical point of view, the Socceroos are a very disciplined and strong team who primarily have a strong defense and are dangerous through set pieces. After the round of 16 in 2006 and 2022, the 2015 Asian champions want to make it through the group phase again. In addition to FC St. Pauli captain Jackson Irvine, the Australian squad also includes his teammate Connor Metcalfe and former Hertha BSC player Mathew Leckie.
05:24
Turkey is taking part in the World Cup for only the third time. After the semi-finals in 2002, the Turks then missed qualifying for the World Cup. This time, head coach Vincenzo Montella’s team only prevailed in the World Cup playoffs. The 2002 World Cup semi-finalists had only lost to Spain in the World Cup qualification in Group E and missed direct qualification as second in the group. After four wins against Georgia and Bulgaria, as well as a strong 2-2 draw against Spain, the 38th in the world rankings only missed direct qualification due to a 6-0 defeat in the first leg against the current European champions. So the 2008 European Championship semi-finalists went into the playoffs. There the Turks beat Romania 1-0 in the semi-finals. There was then a narrow 1-0 win against Kosovo and thus the ticket for the 2026 World Cup. In preparation for the World Cup there was then a 4-0 win against Macedonia and a 2-1 win against Venezuela.
05:12
Australia is taking part in the World Cup for the sixth time in a row. The 25th in the world rankings qualified for the World Cup via the AFC. After six wins in a row in round two of qualifying, the Socceroos moved on to the third round. There, the 2022 World Cup round of 16 lost 1-0 to Bahrain and then only drew with Indonesia. The two games without a win resulted in the dismissal of Arnold as coach and Tony Popovic took over and got the 2015 Asian champions back on track. This was followed by a win against China and a draw against Japan. There was then a 1-0 win against the Japanese, who had already qualified for the World Cup, and Australia secured their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia on June 5, 2025. In preparation for the World Cup, there were two wins against Cameroon (1-0) and Curacao (5-1) in March. Most recently there was a 0-1 defeat against Mexico at the end of May and a 1-1 draw against Switzerland.
04:55
Welcome to the first matchday in Group D at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA. At 6 a.m. German time, Australia will meet Turkey at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela will officiate the game.
Hello and welcome from Vancouver, where Australia will face Turkey in Group D early Sunday morning (6:00 CET). After the Canadians’ opening game, it is the second game of this World Cup on Canadian soil.