Turkey Faces Paraguay in Crucial World Cup Clash
Turkey and Paraguay are set to clash in the second round of Group D at the 2026 World Cup. The match is scheduled for Saturday morning at 06:00 and will be available for live text coverage on various platforms and broadcast on Antena 1.
The first stage of the tournament has already seen significant surprises in Group D. Australia defeated Turkey 2-0, while the United States secured a convincing 4-1 win over Paraguay.
Given these outcomes, the upcoming match in the San Francisco Bay Area is crucial for both teams. A loss would severely diminish their chances of advancing to the knockout stage, whereas a win could revitalize their hopes for qualification.
LIVE AT 06:00 » Turkey vs. Paraguay
Projected Lineups for Turkey and Paraguay
Turkey (4-2-3-1): Cakir – Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu – Calhanoglu, Yuksek – Guler, Kokcu, Yilmaz – Akturkoglu. Coach: Vincenzo Montella.
Paraguay (4-2-3-1): Gill – Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Maidana – Bobadilla, Cubas – D. Gomez, Enciso, Almiron – Sanabria. Coach: Gustavo Alfaro.
Referee: Ivan Barton (El Salvador). Venue: San Francisco Bay Area.
Turkey Seeks Redemption After Shocking Loss to Australia
Vincenzo Montella’s squad entered the tournament with high expectations, but their opening match was disappointing. Turkey dominated possession and took 30 shots against Australia, yet suffered a surprising 2-0 defeat.
This loss extended a troubling trend for Turkey, which has now lost nine of its last 13 matches in major tournaments. The team risks an early elimination from the World Cup, marking its first appearance since 2002 when they won bronze.
In their final group game, Turkey will face the United States, one of the tournament’s early surprises.
Paraguay Aims to Avoid Early Exit from Group Stage
Similarly, Paraguay did not start the tournament as hoped. Coach Gustavo Alfaro’s team fell behind 3-0 to the U.S. by halftime and failed to recover, ultimately losing 4-1.
Julio Enciso managed to score Paraguay’s only goal, but the match ended in a heavy defeat. For Paraguay, qualifying for this World Cup was already a significant achievement following a 14-year absence. However, another loss could lead to a swift exit.
Before the match against the U.S., Paraguay had enjoyed a strong run in the South American qualifiers, achieving victories over Brazil and Argentina.
Kenan Yildiz’s Status Remains Uncertain for Turkey
A key concern for Vincenzo Montella is the fitness of Kenan Yildiz. The Juventus forward struggled with physical issues at the end of the season and did not start against Australia due to a calf injury, appearing only in the second half. It is likely he may begin this match on the bench.
Offensively, Turkey will rely on Arda Guler, Baris Alper Yilmaz, and Orkun Kokcu, with Hakan Calhanoglu orchestrating play in midfield and taking set pieces. The central striker role is contested by Kerem Akturkoglu and Deniz Gul.
Enciso and Almiron: Paraguay’s Key Players
On the Paraguayan side, there are also some injury concerns. Gustavo Caballero is doubtful after missing the match against the U.S., and Ramon Sosa is dealing with an ankle issue.
Coach Gustavo Alfaro may opt for changes in defense after a lackluster performance in the opening round, but central defenders Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderete are expected to retain their starting positions.
All eyes will be on Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron, who are crucial for Paraguay’s counterattacks. Tonny Sanabria will lead the line as the team’s top scorer in the South American qualifiers.
What You Need to Know Ahead of Turkey vs. Paraguay
The only previous encounter between Turkey and Paraguay was a friendly in 1995, which ended in a 0-0 draw. Turkey has met South American teams twice in World Cup history, both against Brazil in 2002, with results of 1-2 in the group stage and 0-1 in the semifinals.
Turkey holds a balanced World Cup record with 11 matches, 5 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, with a goal difference of 20-19. None of Turkey’s World Cup matches have ended without a goal scored.
They achieved three consecutive victories during the 2002 tournament, marking one of their best series. Conversely, Paraguay has won only 2 of its last 14 World Cup matches against European teams (5 draws, 7 losses).
In eight World Cup appearances, Paraguay has started with two consecutive losses twice, most recently in 2006. Only 2 of Paraguay’s last 15 World Cup matches ended without a goal being scored.
Paraguay’s overall World Cup record stands at 28 matches with 7 wins, 10 draws, and 11 losses, accumulating 31 goals scored against 42 conceded. Their heaviest World Cup defeat was a 3-7 loss to France in 1958.
