Australia vs Turkiye Key Stats: FIFA World Cup 2026
by Trystan Pugh ·
Updated
Below you can find key stats for Haiti vs Scotland. From historical trends to player milestones, we have you covered for every match at FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada & Mexico!
- This is the first FIFA World Cup encounter between Australia and Turkiye. Their only previous meetings came in a pair of friendly matches in Australia in May 2004, with Turkiye winning 3-1 in Sydney and 1-0 in Melbourne.
- Australia are through to their sixth successive FIFA World Cup, having featured at every edition since 2006. Overall, this will be their seventh appearance at the finals.
- Australia reached the knockout rounds for only the second time at the 2022 finals, bouncing back from an opening defeat to France with successive wins over Tunisia and Denmark. They advanced to the round of 16, where their run was ended by eventual champions Argentina.
- Australia have won two of their 12 FIFA World Cup matches against UEFA opposition (D2 L8). Their most recent success came in the 2022 group stage, a 1-0 victory over Denmark.
- Australia have lost their opening match in five of their six previous FIFA World Cup appearances. The lone exception was their 3-1 victory over Japan in 2006.
- Australia have only failed to score in two of their last 12 FIFA World Cup matches.
- Tony Popovic is the first person ever to represent Australia at the FIFA World Cup both as a player and as a head coach. His lone World Cup appearance as a player came against Brazil at the 2006 finals.
- Australia’s Aziz Behich has played for four Turkish clubs – Bursaspor (2013-18), Istanbul Basaksehir (2019/20), Kayserispor (2020/21 loan) and Giresunspor (2021/22).
- Australia head coach Tony Popovic was in charge of Turkish Super Lig club Karabukspor from October to December 2017.
- Turkiye have ended a 24‑year absence from the FIFA World Cup, returning to the global stage for the first time since their memorable third‑place finish in 2002.
- This is Turkiye’s third FIFA World Cup participation: they debuted in 1954 (group‑stage exit) and famously reached the semi‑finals in 2002, losing to eventual champions Brazil before defeating Korea Republic to claim third place.
- Turkiye lost their opening match in each of their previous two FIFA World Cup participations: 4-1 v. Germany FR in 1954 and 2-1 v. Brazil in 2002.
- Turkiye have won four of their last five FIFA World Cup matches (L1).
- Turkiye have won all their four FIFA World Cup matches against AFC teams.
- Vincenzo Montella is the second Italian to coach Turkiye at the FIFA World Cup, following Sandro Puppo, who led their 1954 debut campaign.
- Mathew Ryan and Mathew Leckie are appearing at their fourth FIFA World Cup, equalling the Australian record jointly held by Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan. Ryan and Leckie are already joint record‑holders for most World Cup matches played for Australia, with both having made ten appearances.
