/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2025%2F10%2FTurkey-predictions-Yulian-Todorov-scaled-e1760330163760.jpg)
Turkey will take on Australia in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup on Monday morning at BC Place in Vancouver, with both teams looking to get a bright start in Group D.
This is Turkey’s first appearance at the global mundial since 2002, but in a group that also has co-hosts USA and Paraguay, Vincenzo Montella’s side will fancy their chances of topping after the three rounds of matches
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Australia vs. Turkey key stats
- Australia have netted more than once in only one of their previous eight outings.
- Turkey did not concede in four of their last five wins.
- Turkey have a perfect record against teams under the AFC Confederation at World Cups (W4).
- Australia have won just two of 12 games against European opposition at World Cups (D2, L8).
Australia vs. Turkey preview: Crescent Stars eye strong start
| Australia | vs | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | FIFA Ranking | 22 |
| Mathew Ryan (104) | Most Caps | Hakan Calhanoglu (105) |
| Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie (14) | Most Goals | Hakan Calhanoglu (22) |
| 734 | Total Caps | 970 |
| 74 | Total Goals | 97 |
| 0 | Uncapped Players | 0 |
Australia will be hoping to build on the progress made at the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the knockout stages and recorded two victories during the tournament for the first time in their history.
Tony Popovic's side secured automatic qualification by finishing second in the final phase of AFC qualifying, avoiding the intercontinental playoffs for the first time since the 2014 edition.
However, recent performances suggest there is still considerable work to do if they are to challenge the stronger nations in this competition. The Socceroos have often struggled to create chances against elite opponents, and that weakness has been evident in recent matches, where they have failed to score in four of their last five defeats and have netted more than once in only one of their previous eight outings.
Those attacking concerns are particularly worrying given the calibre of opposition they will face in Group D, making a positive result in their opening fixture especially important.
Turkey arrive in North America carrying genuine momentum after backing up their impressive Euro 2024 campaign with promotion to UEFA Nations League A and a successful World Cup qualification journey.
Montella's side came through qualification with six wins, one draw and just one defeat before edging past Romania and Kosovo in the playoffs with consecutive 1-0 victories to secure their place at the finals.
Those results form part of an outstanding run that has seen Turkey lose only twice since the start of 2025, with those defeats coming against Spain and Mexico. Their defensive consistency has been particularly impressive, and they have repeatedly demonstrated an ability to manage tight matches effectively.
Turkey will also take confidence from their historical record against AFC opponents at the World Cup, having won all four previous encounters against teams from the Asian confederation.
Australia vs. Turkey form guide & betting tips
| Australia | vs | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
L
W
W
L
D
|
Form |
D
W
W
W
W
|
| 7 | Goals For | 10 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 3 |
N/A
|
World Cup |
N/A
|
Whispers predicts: Australia 0-2 Turkey
At 18/25 (1.72), Turkey are the bookies favourites to win this game, and it is one that we fully back.
The Socceroos have struggled in front of goal in their recent losses, so they might not contribute goals to this game, making an Australia under 1.5 goals at 1/5 (1.20) and Under 3.5 goals at 8/25 (1.32) worth backing.
For the scoreline, we are predicting a 2-0 Turkey win, which the bookies have priced at 34/5 (7.80).
> Under 3.5 goals at 8/25 (1.32) | Likelihood: Likely
> Australia under 1.5 goals at 1/5 (1.20) | Likelihood: Likely
> Match result – Turkey to win at 18/25 (1.72) | Likelihood: Likely
> Correct score – Australia 0-2 Turkey at 34/5 (7.80)| Likelihood: Outsider