Australia start World Cup qualifying with 2-0 win over Türkiye

Australia began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a crucial 2-0 win against Türkiye in their Group Four opener, taking a significant step towards the tournament's knockout stages.

The Socceroos secured the victory through goals from Nestory Irankunda in the 27th minute and Connor Metcalfe in the 75th minute. The scoreline, however, did not reflect the flow of the match, as Türkiye controlled possession for large periods and generated numerous scoring opportunities throughout both halves. Australia's defensive resilience proved key, with the team effectively thwarting Türkiye's attacks and relying on swift counter-attacks to find the back of the net.

This win places Australia second in Group Four, trailing only the United States on goal difference, after the US also recorded a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the same round. For Türkiye, this marks a disappointing start to their third World Cup appearance, leaving them without points in third place. Australia is making its seventh World Cup appearance and sixth in a row.

Looking ahead, Australia is set to face the United States in their next group match, while Türkiye will play against Paraguay in a bid to secure their first points of the tournament.