Both Turkey and Paraguay arrive at Levi’s Stadium on the back of opening defeats, meaning this Group D clash is already a must-not-lose for either side — with the knockout rounds slipping away fast for whoever falls here…
Fixture: Turkey vs Paraguay | Group D, Matchday 9
Date & Kickoff: Friday 19 June 2026, 20:00 local (UTC-7)
Venue: Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara), USA
TV/Streaming (UK): ITV / ITVX
Group D Standings: United States (3 pts), Australia (3 pts), Turkey (0 pts), Paraguay (0 pts)
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What’s at Stake
Three points here are not just valuable — they are close to essential. United States top Group D after beating Paraguay 4-1, while Australia sit second on goal difference after defeating Turkey 2-0. Both Turkey and Paraguay are on zero points, meaning defeat for either side in this fixture would almost certainly end their World Cup 2026 hopes before the final group game. A winner stays firmly in contention; the loser faces a near-impossible ask against opponents who have already hit the ground running.
Verdict
Turkey to win is the pick at 1/1, backed by a stronger qualifying pedigree, a squad built around elite European clubs, and the fact that Paraguay shipped four goals in their opening game. At evens for a side returning to the World Cup with genuine attacking threats in Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz, this represents fair value in what shapes up as a high-pressure, open contest.
Turkey vs Paraguay Match Preview
Turkey return to the World Cup finals for the first time in 24 years, making this their third-ever appearance at the tournament. Vincenzo Montella’s side qualified automatically from UEFA qualifying with a record of six wins, one draw and one loss across eight games, scoring 19 goals. That campaign had its scars — a 6-0 home loss to Spain — but also its highlights, including a 6-1 demolition of Bulgaria and a creditable 2-2 draw away in Madrid. The talent is undeniable: Hakan Calhanoğlu commanding midfield from Inter Milan, Arda Guler carrying the creative spark from Real Madrid, and Kenan Yildiz offering an attacking edge from Juventus.
Paraguay, meanwhile, are back at the World Cup for the first time since their quarter-final run in South Africa 2010, making this their ninth finals appearance overall. Manager Gustavo Alfaro took charge in August 2024 and has shaped a side that leans on experience at the back, with Gustavo Gomez and Fabian Balbuena providing defensive solidity. Miguel Almirón is the attacking reference point, but the 4-1 opening loss to the United States raised real questions about whether this squad has the defensive organisation to compete at this level.
Something has to give at Levi’s Stadium. Turkey will want to press high and use their superior individual quality in the final third. Paraguay will look to frustrate and hit on the counter, as they have done in CONMEBOL qualifying. The team that imposes their tempo from the first whistle is most likely to take three points — and the Turkey vs Paraguay betting odds lean towards Montella’s men doing exactly that.
Team Form
Turkey — Last Five
– Australia (A): Lost 0-2 — World Cup 2026 Group D
– Venezuela (N): Won 2-1 — Friendly
– North Macedonia (H): Won 4-0 — Friendly
– Kosovo (A): Won 1-0 — World Cup qualification
– Romania (H): Won 1-0 — World Cup qualification
The opening defeat to Australia was a setback, but Turkey’s wider run of form tells a more encouraging story. They arrived at these finals off the back of four wins in their last five, keeping back-to-back clean sheets against Romania and Kosovo. The friendly results — including a 4-0 hammering of North Macedonia — showed genuine attacking intent, and Kerem Akturkoglu has been in excellent goalscoring form across recent campaigns.
Paraguay — Last Five
– United States (A): Lost 1-4 — World Cup 2026 Group D
– Nicaragua (H): Won 4-0 — Friendly
– Morocco (N): Lost 1-2 — Friendly
– Greece (A): Won 1-0 — Friendly
– Mexico (N): Won 2-1 — Friendly
Paraguay’s recent form has been patchy at best. The 4-1 loss to the United States was damaging both on the scoreboard and psychologically, and their friendly record — a loss to Morocco sandwiched between wins over lower-ranked opposition — does not inspire great confidence. Their 3W-2D-1L qualifying record in CONMEBOL was solid enough to secure automatic qualification, but they face a step up in quality here that their opening display suggested they may struggle to handle.
Turkey vs Paraguay Head to Head
Turkey and Paraguay have no recorded competitive meetings in their international history. These are two nations from separate confederations whose World Cup cycles have rarely intersected, and there is no established head-to-head narrative to draw on. With no prior meetings to reference, form, squad depth, and tournament context become the primary drivers of this Turkey vs Paraguay prediction — and on those measures, Turkey hold the edge.
Team News
Turkey’s squad named by Vincenzo Montella is built on real quality at every level. Hakan Calhanoğlu (105 caps, 22 goals for Inter Milan) is the heartbeat in midfield, while the attacking options are genuinely exciting — Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) and Kerem Akturkoglu (Fenerbahce) give Turkey pace, creativity and a cutting edge that few Group D opponents can match. Ferdi Kadioglu at Brighton adds Premier League experience at left back. There are no confirmed suspensions entering this fixture following Matchday 1.
Paraguay enter this game under significant pressure following their heavy defeat to the United States. Gustavo Alfaro has experienced defenders available in Gustavo Gomez (89 caps) and Junior Alonso, while Miguel Almirón (76 caps, 10 goals for Atlanta United FC) remains the creative hub. Julio Enciso of Strasbourg offers energy and a goal threat from the attack. It was Mauricio who scored Paraguay’s consolation goal against the United States — the only Turkey vs Paraguay World Cup scorer of note so far in this tournament.
Neither side carries confirmed injury concerns into this match beyond the psychological impact of their opening losses. Both managers are expected to name strong sides with qualification on the line.
Predicted Lineups
Turkey Predicted XI
Turkey (4-2-3-1): Ugurcan Cakir; Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Ozan Kabak, Ferdi Kadioglu; Hakan Calhanoğlu (c), Salih Ozcan; Arda Guler, Orkun Kokcu, Kenan Yildiz; Kerem Akturkoglu
Predicted XI — squads to be confirmed.
Paraguay Predicted XI
Paraguay (4-4-2): Gatito Fernandez; Juan Jose Caceres, Gustavo Gomez (c), Junior Alonso, Omar Alderete; Ramon Sosa, Andres Cubas, Miguel Almirón, Diego Gomez; Julio Enciso, Antonio Sanabria
Predicted XI — squads to be confirmed.
Key Tactical Matchup
The duel that could define this match is Hakan Calhanoğlu against Paraguay’s midfield pairing of Andres Cubas and Diego Gomez. Calhanoğlu — Turkey’s captain with 105 caps and 22 international goals, 22 of them direct, plus a habit of dictating tempo from deep — will look to control possession and pick apart Paraguay’s defensive shape. Paraguay’s 4-4-2 tends to sit in two disciplined banks and invite opponents onto them, which could limit Calhanoğlu’s space. But the Inter Milan midfielder thrives in tight areas and on set pieces, and if Turkey can win the midfield battle, Guler and Yildiz have the quality to punish a Paraguay backline that has already conceded four in this tournament.
Best Bets
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Main Pick: Turkey to Win
Turkey to Win @ 1/1 — Montella’s side possess clear quality advantages across the pitch, from Calhanoğlu in midfield to Guler and Yildiz in attack. Turkey qualified automatically from UEFA with six wins and 19 goals scored. Paraguay’s 4-1 defeat to the United States has exposed defensive fragility, and Turkey at evens is a fair reflection of that edge. This is the standout Turkey vs Paraguay best bet.
Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals
Over 2.5 Goals @ 6/5 — Both sides need to win, which should open the game up. Turkey scored goals freely in qualifying and have attacking talent capable of breaking down a Paraguay defence that conceded four in Matchday 1. Paraguay will push forward themselves if they fall behind. At 6/5, over 2.5 goals is a solid addition to any Turkey vs Paraguay acca or bet builder.
Scorer Market: Kerem Akturkoglu Anytime Scorer
Kerem Akturkoglu Anytime Scorer — The Fenerbahce forward has been Turkey’s most prolific recent scorer and carries the attacking burden alongside Guler and Yildiz. Paraguay have shown they can be opened up through the middle and out wide. Akturkoglu’s movement and directness make him the most likely Turkish source of goals in this fixture, and he makes sense in any Turkey vs Paraguay bet builder selection.
Correct Score: Turkey 2-1 Paraguay
Turkey 2-1 Paraguay — Paraguay have shown they can score — they got a goal back against the United States — but their defensive record suggests Turkey will find the net more than once. A narrow Turkey win with a Paraguay consolation fits the pattern of both sides’ Matchday 1 performances and adds value as a Turkey vs Paraguay picks option at longer odds.
Turkey vs Paraguay Odds
Here is a summary of the best available prices for the main match result market.
| Outcome | Best Price |
|---|---|
| Turkey Win | 1/1 |
| Draw | 5/2 |
| Paraguay Win | 10/3 |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 6/5 |
| Under 2.5 Goals | 5/6 |
Turkey vs Paraguay betting odds are available across leading operators. Prices correct at time of writing and subject to change.
How to Watch and How to Bet
How to Watch
Turkey vs Paraguay is being broadcast live in the UK on ITV and ITVX, with free-to-air coverage available for all viewers. Kickoff is at 20:00 local time on Friday 19 June 2026 (03:00 BST on Saturday 20 June), with the match taking place at Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area.
How to Bet
New to betting on the World Cup 2026? Here is a straightforward step-by-step guide to placing your Turkey vs Paraguay picks.
- Choose a licensed UK betting operator and create an account.
- Complete identity verification as required by UK regulations.
- Deposit funds using your preferred payment method.
- Navigate to the football or World Cup 2026 section of the site.
- Search for Turkey vs Paraguay under Group D fixtures.
- Select your chosen market — match result, goals, or bet builder.
- Enter your stake and review the potential return before confirming.
- Submit your bet and enjoy the match live on ITV or ITVX.
Responsible Gambling
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