Socceroos count down to Turkey as Paraguay loom

Turkey opener locked in

Your World Cup starts Sunday. Australia face Turkey in the Group D opener on June 14, with kickoff set for the early hours of Sunday morning European time (2) (4). This is the match that shapes the group, a winnable first fixture before tougher tests against Paraguay and the USA. The Socceroos enter as underdogs according to oddsmakers, but the camp has been focused and sharp in training (3).

Paraguay are no pushover

Don't sleep on Paraguay. Christian Pérez, writing in The Guardian, calls them the reborn team no one wants to face. They are in your group alongside the USA and Turkey, and they are being talked up as a genuine threat. The Paraguay squad has been rebuilt with a blend of youth and experience that makes them dangerous (1).

Where to watch

Broadcast details for Australia vs Turkey are confirmed. Check your local listings, the match falls in the early hours of Sunday morning in South America, so Australian viewers should expect a more accessible window (4).