Turkey faces Paraguay in Group D with both sides seeking first points of the 2026 World Cup

Match preview

Turkey and Paraguay square off at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, for a Group D encounter at the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Kickoff is set for 05:00 CEST on Saturday, 20 June. The match follows Turkey's 2-0 defeat to Australia on 14 June, while Paraguay slumped to a 4-1 loss against the United States a day earlier.

Group D standings and what's at stake

The group table entering the match shows the United States on top with 6 points from two games, followed by Australia on 3 points. Turkey and Paraguay are both on 0 points after one match each (Paraguay's point total is disputed; see below). A win for either side would keep knockout-stage hopes alive, while a loss would put them on the verge of elimination before the final round of group fixtures.

United States6

Australia3

Turkey0

Paraguay0

United States

6 points

Australia

3 points

Turkey

0 points

Paraguay

0 points

Data from the article text

Team news and probable lineups

Turkey's probable XI, as reported by Europa Press, includes goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, defenders Mehmet Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Abdulkerim Bardakci and Ferdi Kadioglu, with a midfield anchored by Ismail Yuksek and Hakan Calhanoglu. The attacking threat is likely to come from Arda Guler, Orkun Kokcu and forwards Baris Alper Yilmaz and Kerem Akturkoglu.

Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro is expected to field Orlando Gill in goal, a defensive line of Juan Caceres, Gustavo Gomez, Omar Alderete and either Alexandro Maidana or Junior Alonso, and a midfield featuring Diego Gomez, Andres Cubas and Damian Bobadilla or Andres Cubas alongside Miguel Almiron. Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria are tipped to lead the line. Some variation exists between outlets: El Confidencial lists a slightly different starting XI that includes Galarza and Pitta instead of Bobadilla and Sanabria.

Points discrepancy

La Vanguardia's pre-match report states that Paraguay occupy 3rd place with 3 points, implying they won their opener. However, Europa Press data, which includes full Group D standings and last results, indicates Paraguay lost 4-1 to the United States and therefore have 0 points. The official FIFA match schedule and other reports confirm the USA victory, making the 0-point tally the more credible figure.