Mo Touré injury scare three days from Turkey's World Cup opener

Socceroos striker scare ahead of opener

Australia's first-choice striker Mo Touré missed training this week with an injury concern, just days before the Socceroos face Turkey in their World Cup opener (5). The news emerged Wednesday and coach Tony Popovic is yet to confirm whether Touré will be fit for the Group D clash. This is your opponent's main attacking threat potentially hobbled – something to watch closely as team news firms up.

Turkey's World Cup return: the story so far

After 24 years away, Turkey are back on the World Cup stage (2). Vincenzo Montella has built a youthful, dynamic squad around Real Madrid's Arda Güler and Juventus winger Kenan Yıldız – two of Europe's most exciting young attackers (1). The feeling in the camp is that this side can shed the old 'dark horses' label and make a genuine run (1).

Group D: who stands in your way

Turkey open against Australia, then face Paraguay and the United States in Group D (3) (4). On paper, it's an open group – no reigning champions, no heavyweight favorite. The Guardian's Turkey preview notes the squad believe they can win it (1). First up: the Socceroos. If Touré is out or limited, the door opens wider.

One more young gun to track

Beyond Güler and Yıldız, a Turkish prospect has been named among 15 hidden gems to watch at this World Cup – a 'surprise name' flagged by Turkish media (6). The identity hasn't been widely reported yet, but it reinforces how deep this generation runs.

Fan reactions

Turkish fans on Reddit have been sharing an odd bit of World Cup trivia: Turkey are the only nation to lose twice to the eventual champions in a single World Cup – in 1954 and again in 2002. The mood around 2026 seems lighter, though. After 24 years out, just being here is a moment, but the expectation is that this squad can do more than just show up. Read the full thread