Türkiye's World Cup opener against Australia set for Sunday

Kickoff set: Sunday afternoon

Türkiye's World Cup opener against Australia is locked in. Kickoff is Sunday, June 14 (6). The match kicks off Group D, and your team goes in knowing three points are a must before tougher tests ahead. The buildup is real, this is the game everyone has circled.

Australia are no pushovers, and the Socceroos will be desperate to upset the odds (4). But this is your moment. The squad has had time to gel after that 2–1 friendly win over Venezuela, and confidence should be high.

Arda Güler carries the nation's hopes

You've seen the clips. You've followed him at Real Madrid. Now it's real. Arda Güler enters his first World Cup with the weight of an entire country on his shoulders, and German outlet n-tv is calling him "the Maradona of Türkiye" (3). That's heavy. But if anyone in this squad can handle it, it's him.

Altay Bayindir will be right behind him, the Manchester United keeper has already said this is his lifelong dream, his first World Cup. Together they form a spine the team can believe in.

Fatih Kaya earns his move to the Süper Lig

Former third-division top scorer Fatih Kaya is heading home. The SV Wehen Wiesbaden forward has secured a transfer to the Turkish top flight after proving himself in Germany (1). A feel-good story, and one to watch if he keeps rising.

Fan reactions

Most of the chatter right now centers on Arda Güler and the immense expectations following him into this tournament. Plenty of fans are drawing parallels to past icons, and there's a nervous excitement about whether the young star can deliver on the biggest stage. Join the discussion