Turkey-Australia Starting XIs Announced: Kenan on Bench

The Turkey national football team's starting XI for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D opening match against Australia has been announced. The match will start at 07:00 Turkey time at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver on Sunday, June 14. Turkey under Vincenzo Montella's management takes the field with a 4-2-3-1 setup against Australia under Tony Popovic's management. Australia chose a 3-4-2-1 formation. The biggest surprise in Turkey's starting XI was Kenan Yildiz, who drew attention with his performance at Juventus last season, remaining in the substitute dressing room. The 20-year-old young star, whose condition is thought not to be complete after his injury, will enter the game during the match if needed. In the forward line, Kerem Akturkoglu serves as the centre-forward, while Ismail Yuksek takes the field in the double pivot role next to Orkun Kokcu in midfield.

Turkey XI (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Ugurcan Cakir
Defence: Zeki Celik - Merih Demiral - Abdulkerim Bardakci - Ferdi Kadioglu
Midfield: Orkun Kokcu - Ismail Yuksek
Attack line: Arda Guler - Hakan Calhanoglu (C) - Baris Alper Yilmaz
Forward: Kerem Akturkoglu

Australia XI (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Paul Beach
Defence: Cammy Burgess - Harry Souttar (C) - Alessandro Circati
Midfield: Jordan Bos - Paul Okon-Engstler - Connor Metcalfe - Jason Italiano
Attack line: Aiden O'Neill - Nestory Irankunda
Forward: Mohamed Toure

In Turkey, important names like Yunus Akgun, Kenan Yildiz and Deniz Gul are on the substitute bench. Experienced names like Caglar Soyuncu, Mert Muldur, Salih Ozcan, Ozan Kabak, Kaan Ayhan, Irfan Can Kahveci and Can Uzun also took place in the substitute squad. On the Australia side, captain Maty Ryan was not in the starting XI in goal, while experienced goalkeeper Paul Beach took the role. Experienced names like Jackson Irvine, Mathew Leckie, Adrian Velupillay and Mabil Awer are on the substitute bench of the Socceroos.

Image: si.com