Turkey vs Paraguay Prediction. Turkey and Paraguay — both pointless after Match Day 1 defeats — meet at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara on Saturday, 20 June 2026 03:00 UTC / 06:00 EAT. Turkey dominated Australia but lost 0-2; Paraguay were routed 1-4 by the USA. Another defeat for either side makes Round of 32 qualification virtually impossible. Our prediction: Turkey to win. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group D, Match Day 2 |
| Date & kick-off | Saturday, 20 June 2026 at 03:00 UTC / 06:00 EAT |
| Venue | Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco Bay Area), Santa Clara, California, USA |
| Group D standings | After Match Day 1: USA 3pts, Australia 3pts, Turkey 0pts, Paraguay 0pts |
| Stakes | A loss here leaves both sides needing maximum points from their final group fixture and a combination of results. Essentially must-win for both. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Two wounded sides with everything to lose
Turkey entered this World Cup with genuine expectations of reaching the knockout stages. Under Vincenzo Montella, they had built momentum heading into the tournament and were considered a dangerous dark horse by many analysts. The 0-2 defeat to Australia was a painful reminder of one of Turkish football’s most persistent flaws: the inability to convert dominance into goals. Turkey registered 30 shots against Australia — a remarkable return — yet found the net zero times. Hakan Çalhanoglu, Arda Güler, and Ozan Kabdğöğ all created chances but the finishing was wasteful.
Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) was used as an impact substitute against Australia after recovering from a calf problem. A decision on whether he starts here will be made closer to kick-off; his influence from the bench in the opener was notable and Montella may be tempted to unleash him from the start.
Paraguay’s 1-4 defeat to the USA was more alarming. Three goals down before half-time, the collapse was difficult to explain for a side that had earned impressive CONMEBOL qualifying results against Brazil and Argentina. The second-half improvement — pulling back to 1-3 through Mauricio after excellent work from Julio Enciso — showed there is quality in this side, but Gustavo Alfaro will need to address the defensive organisation that conceded three goals in the first half.
Paraguay have doubts over Gustavo Caballero and Ramon Sosa through injury. Gustavo Gómez and Omar Alderete are expected to retain their central defensive roles. Miguel Almirón, Diego Gómez, and Enciso provide creative support around Tonny Sanabria, Paraguay’s leading scorer in qualifying.
With USA and Australia both on three points above them, Turkey and Paraguay are effectively playing in a mini-knockout match here. The loser’s chances of reaching the Round of 32 become near-impossible.
Injury and availability update
| Player | Status |
| Kenan Yildiz (Turkey, Juventus) | Recovering from calf problem. Featured off the bench vs Australia. |
| Gustavo Caballero (Paraguay) | Injury |
| Ramón Sosa (Paraguay) | Injury |
Team news and expected line-ups
| Turkey (4-2-3-1) | Paraguay (4-3-3) |
| Çakır (GK) | Gill (GK) |
| Çelik (RB) | Caceres (RB) |
| Demiral (CB) | G. Gómez (CB) |
| Bardıkçı (CB) | Alderete (CB) |
| Kadıoğlu (LB) | Maidana (LB) |
| Çalhanoglu (DM) | Bobadilla (DM) |
| Yüksek (DM) | Cubas (DM) |
| Güler (RM) | D. Gómez (RM) |
| Kokçu (AM) | Enciso (AM) |
| Yılmaz (LM) | Almirón (LM) |
| Aktürkoğlu (ST) | Sanabria (ST) |
Key stats
- Turkey: lost 0-2 to Australia in their Group D opener despite registering 30 shots — one of the most dominant losing performances in recent World Cup history.
- Turkey: best World Cup finish was third place in 2002. Failed to qualify for 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018.
- Hakan Çalhanoglu (Inter Milan): Turkey captain and set-piece specialist.
- Arda Güler (Real Madrid): Turkey’s most creative talent.
- Kenan Yildiz (Juventus): recovering from calf problem. Starting status to be confirmed.
- Paraguay: lost 1-4 to co-hosts USA in their Group D opener. 3-0 down at half-time.
- Paraguay: pulled back to 1-4 in second half; Mauricio scored, Enciso was creative.
- Paraguay: earned impressive CONMEBOL qualifying results against Brazil and Argentina.
- Julio Enciso (Brighton): Paraguay’s key creative outlet.
- Miguel Almirón: experienced midfielder, key to Paraguay’s midfield balance.
- Tonny Sanabria: Paraguay’s leading qualifier scorer. Starts up front.
- Caballero and Sosa: both doubts through injury.
- H2H: this is the first ever meeting between Turkey and Paraguay in any fixture.
- Group D standings (after Match Day 1): USA 3pts, Australia 3pts, Turkey 0pts, Paraguay 0pts.
Head-to-head
Turkey and Paraguay have never previously met in any fixture — competitive or friendly. This World Cup Group D match is the first ever encounter between the two nations. There is no historical head-to-head data to draw on.
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC opener) |
| Turkey | L — WC opener loss (0-2 vs Australia). Pre-tournament form was strong. |
| Paraguay | L — WC opener loss (1-4 vs USA). Built reputation on defensive solidity in qualifying. |
Our prediction
This is a tense, high-stakes match between two sides acutely aware of the consequences of defeat. The form from their respective openers points in opposite directions in terms of optimism: Turkey were unlucky to lose despite dominating, while Paraguay’s defensive collapse in the first half against the USA raises deeper concerns.
Turkey’s attack is the more dangerous on paper. If Çalhanoglu, Güler, and Kokçu can find the clinical edge that eluded them against Australia, the chances will come. Paraguay’s back line — even with Gómez and Alderete returning — was cut apart by the USA’s movement and speed, and Turkey carry similar threats.
Paraguay have shown they can be dangerous on the counter through Enciso and Almirón, and Turkey’s defensive record should not be taken for granted. But Turkey’s superior creative depth, their motivation to make amends for the Australia performance, and Paraguay’s defensive fragility are the decisive factors.
Our prediction: Turkey to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0600 hrs UTC on 20/06/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Turkey vs Paraguay event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Turkey vs Paraguay kick off?
Kick-off is at 03:00 UTC / 06:00 EAT on Saturday, 20 June 2026, at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California, USA.
What happened in Turkey’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Turkey lost 0-2 to Australia in their Group D opener despite completely dominating the match. They registered 30 shots but could not find the net, in one of the most wasteful attacking performances in recent World Cup history.
What happened in Paraguay’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Paraguay lost 1-4 to co-hosts USA. They conceded three goals before half-time and were largely overrun in the opening 45 minutes. A second-half improvement saw Mauricio pull one back, but the damage was already done.
Have Turkey and Paraguay ever played before?
No. This World Cup Group D match is the first ever fixture between Turkey and Paraguay in any competition.
What group are Turkey and Paraguay in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group D alongside USA and Australia. After Match Day 1, USA and Australia are both on three points, while Turkey and Paraguay are on zero.
Who are Turkey’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Hakan Çalhanoglu captains the side and controls the midfield tempo. Arda Güler (Real Madrid) provides the creative spark. Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) is a fitness doubt but was effective as a substitute against Australia.
Who are Paraguay’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Julio Enciso (Brighton) is Paraguay’s most creative player. Miguel Almirón provides experience and industry in midfield. Tonny Sanabria leads the attack as Paraguay’s top qualifier scorer.
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