Australia XI vs Turkey - Predicted lineup & team news for FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
The Socceroos will open their World Cup campaign against Turkey.
Australia have participated in each of the last five World Cups. So it is not surprising that they qualified for the 2026 competition. The national squad advanced to the round of 16 in the 2022 event, their joint-best performance at this level.
It will be difficult for the Socceroos to create a significant impression in this summer’s event. But they will expect to advance out of a group that includes the United States and Paraguay.
Considering their group stage games don’t pose many challenges, they should be able to advance from their group to the round of 32.
Australia played two pre-tournament friendly matches, losing 1-0 to Mexico on May 31 before drawing 1-1 with Switzerland on June 6.
Australia have only faced Turkey twice before, in friendly matches in May 2004. The latter won 3-1 and 1-0 in both of them.
Also read: Qatar XI vs Switzerland – Predicted lineup & team news for FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
Australia team news vs Turkey
The Socceroos have no injury concerns going into the game. Their XI will include famous players such as Mathew Ryan, Jackson Irvine, and Mathew Leckie.
Leckie has one goal and one assist in 10 World Cup appearances. The 35-year-old will provide invaluable experience to the team during the tournament.
Mohamed Toure, who scored 10 goals in 12 games for Norwich City in the second half of last season, takes charge of Australia’s attack, hoping to add to his two goals in 10 caps.
The Socceroos are expected to play with a defensive lineup and will rely on their star player, Toure, to score goals in the games.
Australia’s predicted lineup vs Turkey
Australia predicted XI (5-4-1): Ryan; Italiano, Circati, Souttar, Herrington, Bos; Metcalfe, Irvine, O’Neill, Leckie; Toure
Which group are Australia in?
They are in group D.
How many times have they faced Turkey?
They have faced them twice in friendly games, losing both.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.