Australia face Türkiye on Sunday, 14 June 2026 at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, in a Group D opener that carries serious knockout stage implications for both nations. The Socceroos make their sixth consecutive World Cup appearance while Türkiye end a 24-year absence from football’s biggest stage, returning with one of the most exciting squads in their modern history.
Group D is one of the tournament’s most watched groups. Australia, Türkiye, co-hosts USA, and Paraguay all have legitimate paths to the round of 16, making this opening fixture effectively a must-not-lose for both sides. A stumble in Vancouver could prove critical by the time the final group game arrives.
This blog covers everything you need about how to watch and stream Australia vs Türkiye at the FIFA World Cup 2026, along with full squad lists, team news, tactical analysis, and match preview.
Key Details
- Date: Saturday, 13 June 2026 (local) / Sunday, 14 June 2026 (AEST)
- Kick-off Time: 9:00 pm ET / 5:00 am BST / 2:00 pm AEST / 9:30 am IST
- Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
- Where to Watch: Fox Sports / FS1 (USA) | ITV1 (UK) | SBS / SBS On Demand (Australia) | Zee5 (India) | beIN Sports (Middle East and North Africa)
Where to Watch Australia vs Türkiye Football World Cup Match?
The match is available on Fox Sports and FS1 in the USA, ITV1 in the UK, SBS and SBS On Demand in Australia, and Zee5 in India. UK fans can also stream via ITVX free of charge.
In Australia, SBS holds exclusive rights to all 104 World Cup 2026 matches, making every game available live and free with no subscription required. This replaced the Optus Sport arrangement from 2022.
In the USA, Fox and FS1 carry all 104 matches in English, with Telemundo and Universo providing Spanish-language coverage. FIFA Plus may also offer streaming in select territories without domestic broadcast agreements.
How to Watch Australia vs Türkiye with a VPN
If Australia vs Türkiye is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to ITVX, which broadcasts all World Cup 2026 matches without charge in the UK.
ITVX is geoblocked to the UK, meaning viewers outside Britain cannot access it without a VPN. Connecting through a UK server gives you a British IP address that unlocks the stream instantly.
Follow these steps to watch with PureVPN:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to obtain a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for Australia vs Türkiye and start streaming the match live.
Note: Always review the terms of service of any streaming platform before using a VPN to access content. PureVPN is a tool for privacy and security, and users are responsible for adhering to local regulations and platform guidelines.
Australia vs Türkiye FIFA World Cup 2026 Team News
Australia Team News
Tony Popovic was appointed as Australia manager in September 2024, taking over from Graham Arnold. The 51-year-old brings significant credibility to the role, having played over 120 times for Crystal Palace and represented Australia at international level. Popovic transformed the Socceroos’ qualifying form almost immediately, guiding them to direct qualification from the AFC with a defensive record of just seven goals conceded across 16 matches.
Popovic operated a long preparation camp in Sarasota, Florida, from April 2026, making Australia the first squad in the tournament to begin training in the United States. The extended camp allowed him to assess players in depth before making his final 26-man selection, confirmed on 1 June 2026. A pre-tournament friendly against co-hosts Mexico, which Australia lost 1-0, gave the squad valuable preparation against top-quality opposition.
Seventeen of the 26 selected players are set to make their World Cup debut. Goalkeeper and captain Mathew Ryan, 34, playing for Levante in La Liga, matches the national record by appearing at his fourth consecutive World Cup. Mohamed Touré, the Norwich City striker who scored 10 goals in 12 Championship appearances in 2025/26, was reported to have missed a training session ahead of the match and is listed as a doubt for the opener. Nestory Irankunda of Watford, 20, enters the tournament in outstanding form after scoring a brace against Curacao in March and winning player of the tournament at the FIFA Series 2026.
Popovic has emphasised tactical discipline, high pressing, and transition play. The Socceroos are expected to deploy a compact defensive block and look to exploit space on the counter, with Irankunda’s explosive pace the primary weapon on the break.
Türkiye Team News
Vincenzo Montella has managed Türkiye since 2023 and is widely credited with bringing harmony and tactical cohesion to a squad that has historically struggled with internal tensions. The Italian striker turned coach helped Italy reach the EURO 2000 final during his playing career and previously managed Fiorentina, AC Milan, and Sevilla. Montella guided Türkiye to the EURO 2024 quarter-finals, beating Georgia, Czechia, and Austria before falling to Netherlands, and that tournament experience has shaped the current squad’s confidence and organisation.
Türkiye’s qualifying campaign produced notable results. They beat Bulgaria 6-1 and 2-0, defeated Georgia 4-1, and held Spain to a 2-2 draw in the final group match, having earlier suffered a heavy 0-6 defeat in Konya. They then eliminated Romania and Kosovo in the playoffs to secure one of the last four European berths. Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu, the Inter Milan midfielder who helped the Nerazzurri win Serie A in two of the last three seasons, leads a squad that blends youthful talent with significant European club experience.
The major team news concern entering this fixture is Kenan Yıldız. The Juventus forward, who won Serie A’s Rising Star of the Season award after scoring 11 goals and providing 9 assists across 46 appearances, suffered a calf injury in the closing weeks of the season. Reports from Sports Mole ahead of the match indicate Yıldız is a major doubt for the opener and would be a surprise inclusion against Australia. Ferdi Kadıoğlu of Brighton also missed the warm-up friendly against Venezuela but returned to training. Arda Güler, who suffered an injury late in Real Madrid’s 2025/26 campaign, had fully recovered by the time the squad assembled and is expected to start.
Australia Full Squad: FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Mathew Ryan, Marco Izzo, Patrick Beach
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano, Harry Souttar, Kai Trewin
Midfielders: Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Paul Okon-Engstler, Cristian Volpato, Riley McGree, Keanu Baccus, Jordan Courtney-Perkins
Forwards: Mathew Leckie, Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Touré, Tete Yengi, Nishan Velupillay, Craig Goodwin
Türkiye Full Squad: FIFA World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers: Mert Günok, Altay Bayındır, Uğurcan Çakır
Defenders: Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral, Çağlar Söyüncü, Eren Elmalı, Abdülkerim Bardakçı, Ozan Kabak, Mert Müldür, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Samet Akaydın
Midfielders: Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Orkun Kökçü, Salih Özcan, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Arda Güler, Oğuz Aydın
Forwards: Kenan Yıldız, Deniz Gül, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Can Uzun, Umut Meraş, Yunus Akgün, Halil Dervişoğlu, Emir Ortabela
Australia vs Türkiye Match Preview
This fixture pits two very different teams against each other in terms of style and expectation. Türkiye arrive as the narrow favourites with a technically superior midfield and two of the tournament’s most exciting attackers in Arda Güler and, if fit, Kenan Yıldız. Australia are built on defensive organisation, set-piece threat, and exploiting transitions at pace.
Montella’s system revolves around Çalhanoğlu sitting deep and dictating play while Güler operates in the half-spaces between the lines. With Yıldız doubtful, Deniz Gül is expected to lead the Turkish line, flanked by Barış Alper Yılmaz and Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Ferdi Kadıoğlu at left back provides an overlapping threat that will test Australia’s right flank repeatedly.
Popovic’s Australia will sit in a mid-block and look to trigger quickly on turnovers. Irankunda and Touré (if fit) give them the pace to stretch a Turkish backline that can be vulnerable in transition. Harry Souttar, returning from a long Achilles injury, will be central to Australia’s defensive ambitions, with Alessandro Circati alongside him providing the high defensive line that Popovic prefers.
Set pieces are a genuine weapon for Australia. Their AFC qualifying record included multiple goals from dead-ball situations, and the physical presence of Souttar, Burgess, and Irvine makes them dangerous at both ends from corners and free-kicks.
The likely tactical narrative sees Türkiye dominate possession in the first half while Australia frustrate them and look to strike on the counter. The question is whether Montella’s creative players can unlock a well-drilled Socceroos rearguard, and whether Popovic’s attackers can punish any Turkish defensive lapses.
Australia vs Türkiye: Group D Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 13 June 2026 | Australia vs Türkiye | BC Place, Vancouver |
| 19 June 2026 | Türkiye vs Paraguay | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara |
| 19 June 2026 | USA vs Australia | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| 25 June 2026 | Türkiye vs USA | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 25 June 2026 | Paraguay vs Australia | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara |
FIFA World Cup 2026: The Biggest Football Tournament in History
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, the 2026 World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in FIFA World Cup 2026
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event in order to comply with FIFA’s corporate name policy.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will have a half-time show. Coldplay will be involved in putting together the event at MetLife Stadium, in a move inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl.
The Stars to Watch in FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for FIFA World Cup 2026
The prize money for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
FIFA World Cup 2026 official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2026 in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 FIFA World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament, it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match kicks off at 9:00 pm ET on Saturday, 13 June 2026, which is 5:00 am BST on Sunday, 14 June, 2:00 pm AEST Sunday 14 June, and 9:30 am IST Sunday 14 June.
The match is being played at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
Yes. ITV1 and ITVX are broadcasting the match free of charge in the UK. BBC iPlayer may also carry coverage.
Yes. SBS and SBS On Demand hold free-to-air rights to all 104 World Cup 2026 matches in Australia, with no subscription required.
The two nations have not previously met at a World Cup. This is their first Group D encounter at a major tournament.
