Turkey and Paraguay Clash in Crucial World Cup Group D Encounter

Turkey and Paraguay will meet in a pivotal Group D match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday, June 20, as both teams seek their first points of the tournament following opening defeats. The match kicks off at 12:00 local time (4:00 a.m. BST) at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in California.

Turkey fell 2-0 to Australia in their opener, despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances. The performance raised concerns about defensive lapses but also highlighted a lack of cutting edge in attack. Manager Vincenzo Montella will be expected to find solutions to break down a Paraguay side likely to defend deep and rely on counter-attacks. Key players such as Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoglu, and Baris Alper Yilmaz are expected to start.

Paraguay, meanwhile, suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against co-hosts the United States. The result exposed fragilities in a backline that had been the team's bedrock during qualifying. Coach Gustavo Alfaro must restore defensive solidity while relying on attacking talents like Julio Enciso and Miguel Almirón to threaten Turkey. A second loss would severely damage Paraguay's chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

The match will be officiated by referee Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros. Broadcast coverage is available on BBC in the UK, Fox Sports in the U.S., Zee5 in India, and SBS in Australia. With both teams desperate for a win, the game is expected to be a tense and high-stakes affair.