Türkiye out of World Cup after Paraguay shutout

Out of the World Cup after two games, no goals scored

Türkiye 0–1 Paraguay. It is over. Your team are eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with one group match still to play, the second straight loss after the 2–0 defeat to Australia (2) (4) (6).

Matias Galarza scored in the second minute, and Paraguay held on (9). Türkiye fired 62 shots across both group matches and scored none (2). The math is brutal.

Arda Güler did not hide afterwards. "We are very sad and we feel ashamed. We apologise to all our people," he said (2). He also promised: "I will do everything in my power to make this tournament fade into oblivion throughout my career with the national team" (2). Mert Müldür, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Kenan Yildiz were all on the pitch as the campaign collapsed (6) (7).

Montella says the team fought, but no one is buying it

Vincenzo Montella defended his players after the final whistle. "The team has shown its soul and has fought until the last breath," he said, refusing to single anyone out (2). Two matches, zero points, zero goals. The manager's words will not land softly.

Paraguay knew exactly how to beat Türkiye

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro did not pretend it was an accident. "We knew how to beat Türkiye, and we won," he said after the match (7). Julio Enciso, the match-winner, added that untrue things had been said about his team: they kept going and expected their fans to back them (8). Galarza called it an unforgettable match (9).

A historic red card under the new IFAB rule

The match also produced a first for World Cup football. Referee Javier Barton sent off a player for covering his mouth during a dispute, the first red card issued under the new IFAB rule. The incident involved Miguel Almiron and came in first-half stoppage time, with Turkish players Arda Güler, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Kenan Yildiz nearby (6). "At the latest, everyone is now warned. This scenario had to happen once for everyone to really be warned," said analyst Jonas Hofmann (6).

Türkiye rebrand talk resurfaces

The 2022 name change from Turkey to Türkiye is being dragged back into the conversation after the group-stage exit. The rebrand was meant to signal a fresh identity; two losses and a goalless tournament are not the look anyone had in mind (5).

Fan-reaktioner

The mood is raw. A clip of Arda Güler asking "My God, why?" after the final whistle is circulating, and fans are heartbroken alongside him. The FIFA rule change putting head-to-head above goal difference is also drawing heat, groups are locking up after two matchdays, and some supporters feel it is killing the drama. Watch the Güler moment here.