Turkey and Australia will kick off their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D campaign on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, Canada.
The match marks Turkey's return to the World Cup after a 24-year absence.
Turkey's Perspective
Turkey captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu told TRT Spor that the team is focused on writing new stories after qualifying for the tournament.
He described Australia as a physical team, especially dangerous from set pieces, and compared their style to that of Kosovo.
Çalhanoğlu emphasized that Turkey respects every opponent but knows its own quality, pointing to the experience of players like Orkun Kökçü, Arda Güler, and himself.
Midfielder İsmail Yüksek said the team must overcome their excitement and focus on the match.
He dismissed comments from the Australian camp as "funny" and claimed they do not understand the pressure in Turkey.
Yüksek noted that the squad has previous tournament experience from the European Championship and is confident they can handle the World Cup.
Defender Ozan Kabak expressed excitement and praised the support from Turkish fans in Canada.
Yüksek added that he will draw on past struggles for motivation and is ready to contribute whether he plays or not.
He described representing Turkey at the World Cup as a "luxurious dream" and a great honor.
Yüksek also praised head coach Vincenzo Montella for transferring his passion and treating the team as if he were Turkish.
Australia's View
Australia head coach Tony Popovic stated that his team is prepared and aiming for a win against a strong opponent.
He acknowledged Turkey's quality, highlighting Çalhanoğlu and Arda Güler, but said Australia knows where they can gain an advantage.
Popovic noted that Turkey has built a strong squad under Montella and will be a force for the next 4–8 years.
He added that Australia is used to being underestimated and aims to show what Australian football can do.
Midfielder Aiden O'Neill said the team wants to control possession from the start and is ready after meticulous preparation.
Australia defender Aziz Behich's father, Yaşar Behich, expressed pride in his son's journey and encouraged children to take up sports.
In Turkey, the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality will set up public screens in several parks for fans to watch the match together.
