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So close but so far: Turkish Australians react to a near-goal from Turkey as they watch the Australia-Turkey World Cup game on the big screen at Nasiol Stadium, in Broadmeadows.

‘Why not?’: The heart-wrenching joy of having two countries in the World Cup

“I’m an Australian and a Turk at the same time,” one fan said on Sunday of supporting both countries. “I respect Australia as my home country, but I’m a Turk as well. So why not?”

  • Carolyn Webb and Adam Carey

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Connor Metcalfe is swarmed by Socceroos teammates.

FIFA World Cup 2026 results as it happened: ‘Who got the goals? We got the goals’: Irankunda responds to Turkey’s talk

Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe delivered Australia’s first win in a World Cup opener since 2006 to set up a blockbuster showdown next Saturday with Group D rivals and hosts USA.

  • Emma Kemp, Frances Howe, Nick Ralston and Roy Ward
Aiden O’Neill, Jordan Bos and Connor Metcalfe all played a part in Australia’s World Cup win over Turkey.

‘A performance the world will notice’: Socceroos player ratings after World Cup win over Turkey

The Socceroos won their opening match over Turkey. Here are our player ratings from a special win in Vancouver.

  • Roy Ward
Turkey’s young superstars Kenan Yildiz (left) and Arda Güler are the faces of a new generation.

Young Turks: The $300m superstars the Socceroos must stop

Turkey have had plenty of top players over the years, but few genuine global stars. Suddenly, two have emerged at once, and they’re both 21 and dangerous.

  • Vince Rugari
Tony Popovic at a press conference ahead of their first match tomorrow.

Australia to ‘spoil the party’ after Turkey’s captain takes pot shot at Socceroos

Hakan Calhanoglu said he expects Turkey to dominate the group match because his team are “more talented”.

  • Nick Ralston and Vince Rugari
Kewell

‘It’s going to be tough for us’: How Harry Kewell sees Socceroos v Turkey

The Australian great played in the Turkish league for Galatasaray at the peak of his career. He says the Socceroos’ first-up opponents will provide a stern test.

  • Emma Kemp
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Mohamed Toure.

Toure absence raises injury fears ahead of Socceroos’ World Cup opener

Mohamed Toure was a conspicuous absentee from the team’s training session, but the Socceroos say he should be out there on Thursday.

  • Vince Rugari
Aziz Behich was the hero against Japan last year.

This Socceroos veteran doesn’t get recognised much at home. In Turkey, even his sister does

Aziz Behich grew up obsessed with Turkish football, built a career there and became a champion. Now he is preparing to face the country of his parents’ origin at the World Cup.

  • Vince Rugari
Zeki Celik, Arda Guler and Mert Muelduer celebrate Turkey’s qualification for the World Cup.

Ersan chose Turkey over the Socceroos. This is how he sees the World Cup opener playing out

It was an easy decision for Ersan Gulum to pick Turkey over Australia. But picking the winner in the World Cup match between his two countries is a bit harder.

  • Vince Rugari
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho squeezed Okun Buruk’s nose which left the Galatasaray manager writhing on the turf.

Wild scenes as manager collapses to ground after Jose Mourinho nose squeeze

The Portuguese manager, now in charge at Fenerbahce, reached out angrily at his rival’s face as he attempted to confront him from behind.

  • Tom Morgan