In their opening World Cup match against Australia, Turkey featured two Serie A starters. Inter Milan’s influential midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu wore the captain’s armband, while Zeki Celik of Roma took up the right-back position.
Juventus’s Kenan Yildiz is on the bench, resting due to a fitness issue, while former Bianconeri defender Merih Demiral was included in central defense.
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For Australia, Parma center-back Alessandro Circati started in defense, alongside Sassuolo forward Cristian Volpato, who recently switched national allegiance from Italy.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 13: A general view inside the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Turkey at BC Place Vancouver on June 13, 2026. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Australia vs Turkey – Lineups – 2026 World Cup
Australia: Beach; Circati, Italiano, Bos, Souttar, Burgess; Metcalfe, O’Neill, Okon-Engstler; Touré, Irankunda.
Turkey: Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Kokcu, Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Akturkoglu, Guler, Yilmaz.