Australia defender Milos Degenek believes the pressure will be on Turkey when the two sides meet in their opening Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Vancouver. Turkey are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when they famously finished third, while Australia are appearing in their sixth consecutive tournament.
Degenek highlighted Australia’s greater World Cup experience as a potential advantage. According to the defender, none of Turkey’s 26-player squad have previously played in a World Cup, whereas Australia have nine players with tournament experience from previous editions.
“There’s a lot of hope on them and a lot of pressure, but we’re ready for that definitely,” Degenek said ahead of the match.
While acknowledging Turkey’s quality and the presence of top-level players such as Arda Güler and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Degenek argued that Australia’s experience in international tournament football could prove decisive.
Match Context
- Australia have qualified for the last five World Cups and reached the Round of 16 twice.
- Turkey have appeared at only two World Cups (1954 and 2002), with their 2002 third-place finish remaining one of the country’s greatest football achievements.
- The Group D opener will be played at BC Place in Vancouver on June 13.
What to Expect
Turkey enter the tournament with considerable talent and high expectations after a strong qualifying campaign, while Australia will rely on their disciplined defensive structure and World Cup know-how. Degenek’s comments suggest the Socceroos see the psychological pressure on Turkey as an opportunity to gain an early advantage in what is expected to be a tightly contested Group D encounter.
The match could play a major role in determining which team advances from a balanced group that also includes United States and Paraguay
