Turkey face Paraguay in World Cup 2026 group stage match

Turkey and Paraguay meet in a crucial World Cup 2026 group stage encounter, with both teams looking to recover from opening match disappointments. Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella has made three changes to his starting XI following last week's defeat to Australia, bringing in Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, right-back Mert Muldur, and winger Yunus Akgun. The team will be anchored by Real Madrid's Arda Guler in central midfield, reuniting two of Turkey's brightest young talents—both just 21 years old—for their first World Cup match together. Guler, a creative attacking midfielder and free-kick specialist, struggled against Australia's defensive setup but showed glimpses of quality with penetrative passes and movement in the penalty area. Yildiz made an immediate impact as a substitute in the previous match, bringing directness to Turkey's left-sided attack with his willingness to take on defenders and deliver crosses.

Paraguay have also reshuffled their lineup with two changes following their heavy 4-1 defeat to the USA. Most notably, striker Isidro Pitta earns a surprise start after initially believing he would not be selected for the tournament—he had even booked a holiday to Spain with his family during the World Cup. Nicknamed 'Viking' for his distinctive long hair and ginger beard, Pitta will partner Julio Enciso in attack, while Matias Galarza replaces Damian Bobadilla in midfield. Enciso was one of Paraguay's better performers against the USA, and the team will need to tighten their defensive shape after being overrun in their opening match.

Both teams face mounting pressure to secure a positive result. Turkey, managed by Montella, struggled to break down Australia's compact defence and must find solutions against another potentially defensive Paraguay setup. However, Paraguay have shown greater attacking potential throughout their qualification campaign and cannot afford another poor result if they hope to progress from the group stage. The tactical battle will likely centre on how Paraguay set up defensively and whether Turkey can unlock their opponent's low block with Guler and Yildiz operating in tandem.