Türkiye have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after winning the UEFA playoff final against Kosovo (0-1), completing Group D alongside Paraguay, the United States, and Australia. Goal scorer Karem Akturkoglu’s side ended a 24-year absence from football’s biggest stage with a strong performance in the decisive playoff, returning to the tournament where they famously finished third in 2002.
For the Albirroja, Türkiye adds an intriguing dimension to Group D. Although the two teams have only met once – a 0-0 draw in a 1995 friendly in Chile – the match promises intens battles when the teams face off on 19 June 2026. Paraguay will now prepare to tackle a confident Turkish side known for its technical quality and spirit in what shapes up to be one of the most balanced and exciting groups of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
Türkiye ending a 24-year drought
The Turkish national team ends a 24-year absence from the World Cup, after last appearing at the 2002 World Cup. Ranked 24th in the FIFA standings (Paraguay is currently ranked 38th), Vincenzo Montella’s side secured a narrow 1-0 home win over Romania in the playoff semi-final. The squad blends experienced players like Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Internazionale) with exciting young talents like Arda Güler from Real Madrid.
One previous Paraguay-Türkiye
Türkiye and Paraguay have met only once in a senior international friendly on June 18, 1995, in Iquique, Chile. The game was part of the Copa Centenario del Fútbol Chileno (Chilean Football Centenary Tournament), an invitational tournament organised to celebrate 100 years of football in Chile. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, with Paraguay eventually emerging as tournament champion.
Battle in Group D
At the 2026 World Cup, the Albirroja will now compete with The United States, Australia, and Türkiye. While there is no direct rivalry between Paraguay and the teams in this group, there is unfinished business: Paraguay played a friendly with the United States in November 2025. The U.S. won 2-1, with the game finishing in a massive brawl.
The first game for Paraguay is against the Americans in California, on 12 June 2026. After, Paraguay will play against Türkiye on 19 June, and against Australia on 25 June, also in California.
Paraguay’s friendly versus Marocco
On the same day of the Türkiye victory, Paraguay lost a friendly against Marocco in France, 2-1. In an entertaining match at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium in Lens, the first half remained goalless, but Marocco broke the deadlock early in the second period when Bilal El Khannouss scored with an assist from PSG star Achraf Hakimi.
Morocco doubled their lead shortly after through a goal from Neil El Aynaoui, also assisted by Hakimi, though Paraguay pulled one back to make it a nervy finish after Gustavo Caballero. Despite the South Americans’ late pressure and higher shot count, Morocco held firm to secure a valuable victory in front of nearly 38,000 spectators.
The Albirroja beating Greece
Leading up to the Marocco game, at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium in Athens Paraguay defeated Greece on 26 March thanks to a goal by Diego Gómez in the 52nd minute. The friendly match saw the debut of Gastón Olveira, goalkeeper for Olimpia, from the start.
Paraguayan head coach Gustavo Alfaro did not miss the opportunity bringing in José Canale, Maurício Magalhães, Gustavo Caballero, Lucas Romero and Alexandro Maidana, players who, like goalkeeper Olveira, made their debut in the Albirroja jersey.
“I saw them as if they had been playing with us for a long time, adapting very quickly to our game principles, to the way we feel, and to the way we play,” Alfaro commented in the post-match press conference.
