Türkiye’s national football team has shifted its focus to a must-win clash against Paraguay in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a disappointing defeat in its opening fixture against Australia.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday from the team’s training base in Arizona, goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir stressed that qualification hopes remain alive despite the setback.
“We still have six points to play for. The first of those matches is against Paraguay, and we want to win that game and take the three points,” Cakir told reporters on Tuesday at Türkiye’s training camp in the US state of Arizona.
Türkiye began its World Cup campaign with a 2-0 loss to Australia on Sunday at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada. Australia secured the victory through a disciplined defensive display and an effective counter-attacking strategy.
Despite the defeat, Cakir insisted the result should not be viewed as decisive in determining Türkiye’s fate in the tournament.
“The first match was not a final. We still have two games ahead of us. It’s not over until we say it’s over,” Cakir said.
The goalkeeper revealed that the squad has reviewed its performance against Australia and is working to correct the mistakes that contributed to the loss ahead of the Paraguay encounter.
Defender Samet Akaydin also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back, noting that the defeat has strengthened unity within the squad rather than creating divisions.
“I have great faith in this team. We are constantly meeting and discussing what happened… but hopefully we will make up for it against Paraguay,” Akaydin said.
Akaydin further appealed to fans to remain behind the team as it seeks to secure its first World Cup victory in more than two decades.
“We have reached the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. We have a critical match ahead of us, and we need support,” Akaydin said.
The Crescent-Stars will face Paraguay on June 19 before concluding their group-stage campaign against co-hosts the United States on June 25.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, kicked off on June 11 and runs through July 19, featuring 48 national teams competing for football’s biggest prize.
