Australia vs Turkey Predictions

• Turkiye have won 11 of the 14 games they’ve played in the the last 18 months
• Australia lost three of four games played in North America in late 2025
• Yilmaz has scored in back-to-back games for Turkiye

Turkiye dream of repeating 2002 success

Despite a 24-year gap between World Cup appearances, Turkiye’s success at Euro 2024 suggests they’re a dangerous side heading into this summer’s tournament.

A 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands in the quarter-finals ended a thrilling run from Turkiye, and that was built around a young squad, one which is arguably stronger this time around.

Turkiye suffered a 6-0 defeat to Spain in qualifying, but they won seven of ten matches in 2025, including a victory over the United States in Connecticut.

Turkiye qualified for the tournament with wins over Romania and Kosovo, before claiming friendly victories against North Macedonia and Venezuela.

Australia had little issue qualifying for a sixth consecutive World Cup, but they suffered three defeats in four in fixtures across North America in October and November last year.

Talent-wise, Australia are up against it in their opener, and Turkiye’s biggest issues shouldn’t really factor into this clash. While they lack an out-and-out goalscorer, they have enough talent in midfield to come out on top in this contest. Winger Baris Alper Yilmaz is the standout goalscorer selection. He’s netted in both of Turkiye’s warm-up games this month, and he can continue that scoring run after a strong season in the Super Lig.