Turkey and Paraguay meet in the second round of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match takes place this Saturday, 20 June, at 4 AM (BST) at Levi"s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Both nations will be desperate for a result after losing their opening games of the tournament, making this a pivotal encounter for their qualification hopes. Our Turkey vs. Paraguay prediction anticipates a tense battle, as another defeat could spell the end of the road for either side.
Keep reading to discover our analysis and betting tips for this important fixture.
Turkey vs. Paraguay - Head-to-head record
The upcoming World Cup match between Turkey and Paraguay marks their first-ever official encounter. This lack of previous meetings means both teams enter uncharted territory, adding intrigue and unpredictability to the fixture.
With only one match between those teams played a long time ago, recent form and opening tournament performances are the main indicators for analysis. Neither side can rely on past psychological advantages or tactical blueprints. The Turkey vs. Paraguay match will be a fresh contest, decided solely on the day.
This inaugural game writes a new chapter in international football, with the winner claiming initial bragging rights. The Turkey vs. Paraguay stats from this encounter will establish the benchmark for future meetings. Both teams will be keen to begin this new rivalry with a victory.
Turkey - Looking to bounce back
Turkey are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Australia in their World Cup opener. This section provides a closer look at their current situation, highlighting the team’s momentum and latest displays. We will also explore their tactical approach and the probable Turkey vs. Paraguay line-ups for this vital encounter.
Recent form
Turkey’s World Cup started with a 2-0 loss to Australia, a poor beginning despite a strong qualification campaign. Before this, they had impressive form, winning two June friendly matches. Overall, they have 14 wins in their last 21 games, showing capability despite the initial tournament setback.
Key players like midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu and the creative Arda Güler will be crucial for a spark. Turkey has no reported injuries, meaning a full-strength squad is available. This is a significant boost for their upcoming match.
This full squad is vital for what is now a must-win game. The loss to Australia puts them under pressure; another defeat could end their knockout stage hopes. Therefore, Turkey will likely adopt an attacking approach to revive their campaign.
Results of the last five matches
Probable line-up for Turkey
U. Çakır; M. Muldur, M. Demiral, A. Bardakcı, F. Kadıoğlu; İ. Yüksek, H. Çalhanoğlu, A. Güler, O.Kökçü, K. Yıldız; K. Akturkoğlu.
Manager: Vincenzo Montella.
Paraguay - Looking to bounce back
Let’s now analyse Paraguay’s current situation. We will examine the team’s recent form, their overall momentum, and the key players for this upcoming match.
Recent form
Paraguay’s World Cup campaign began poorly with a 4-1 defeat against the USA. This result immediately places them at a disadvantage in their group. Their form leading into the tournament was inconsistent, featuring a strong win over Nicaragua but also a loss to Morocco in friendly matches.
Paraguay has won nine of their last 21 games across all competitions, a record that highlights their struggle for consistency. Key players such as Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso, who provided an assist in the opening game, will need to perform strongly. Injury data for Paraguay says that Caballero and Sosa will have to miss the match.
The heavy 4-1 loss to the USA exposed significant defensive weaknesses. This is a major concern heading into this must-win game. Another defeat would likely lead to their elimination from the World Cup, potentially forcing them to take risks and resulting in an open and unpredictable contest.
Results of the last five matches
Probable line-up for Paraguay
O. Gill; G. Gómez, J. J. Cáceres, M. Maidana, O. Alderete; M. Galarza, Mauricio, D. Gómez, M. Almirón; I. Pitta, J. Enciso.
Manager: Gustavo Alfaro.
Turkey vs. Paraguay - Stats
- Turkey have been in strong form, winning seven of their last ten matches across all competitions.
- Paraguay have a more inconsistent record, with four wins and four losses in their last ten games.
- Paraguay’s opening World Cup match was a high-scoring affair with five total goals.
- In contrast, Turkey’s first game of the tournament saw a total of two goals.
- Mauricio Prado is the only Paraguayan player to have scored in the competition so far.
- Hakan Çalhanoğlu played the full 90 minutes for Turkey in their opening match.
Predictions for Turkey vs. Paraguay - Turkey to secure the win
After losing their opening matches, both Turkey and Paraguay are desperate for a win. A draw helps neither side, so we expect a decisive outcome, making a bet on the “Double Chance – 12" market an interesting option.
Paraguay"s defence looked vulnerable in their 4-1 defeat, and with both teams needing to attack from the off, an early goal seems probable. This suggests value in backing over 0.5 goals in the first half.
Despite their opening loss, Turkey has a more consistent record, winning 14 of their last 21 games. Given this, our main prediction is for Turkey to win the match on the “Asian Handicap -0.25" market.
| Turkey x Paraguay | ||
| Tip | Tip | Best Odd |
| Double Chance | Either team to win | 1.32 at BetMGM |
| Over/Under | Over 0.5 goals in the first half | 1.41 at BetMGM |
The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.
Best markets to bet on Turkey vs. Paraguay
Here are some more recommended bets on Turkey vs. Paraguay for this crucial World Cup match.
🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: 1X & Over 1.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM
Turkey"s stronger recent form makes them unlikely to lose this vital match. With both teams needing a result, at least two goals seem probable, making this a solid combined option.
🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: 12 & Over 2.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM
A draw is unhelpful for either side, so an open game with a clear winner is expected. Given the attacking needs, a high-scoring decisive result is a strong possibility.
Where to watch Turkey vs. Paraguay?
Here is where to watch Turkey vs. Paraguay live:
- TV: ITV 1 (Gbr), STV (Gbr), UTV (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr)
- Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), STV Player (Gbr)
Turkey vs. Paraguay - Match details
Check out the match details:
- Match: Turkey vs. Paraguay
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 20/06/2026
- Kick-off: 4 AM (BST)
- Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA, United States
- Broadcast: ITV X (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), STV Player (Gbr)
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