World Cup Group D strugglers Turkey and Paraguay will both be determined to reignite their tournament hopes this evening when they face each other in a crucial encounter.

Turkey were left reeling after a 2-0 loss to Australia in their opening fixture, while Paraguay endured a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of hosts USA.

Despite their disappointing starts, both teams still have two matches left in the group stage, meaning there is still a chance to qualify for the knockout rounds if they can turn their form around.

Many football pundits and analysts had tipped Turkey as dark horses ahead of this year's competition. However, their lacklustre performance against Australia failed to live up to expectations, leaving them under pressure to deliver a strong response.

Paraguay, on the other hand, entered the tournament with a solid reputation, having secured impressive victories over Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay during the qualifying campaign. Yet, their defeat to the USA exposed defensive vulnerabilities and raised concerns about their ability to handle top-tier opposition.

The stakes could not be higher for both teams. Whoever wins will need a significant improvement from their opening displays to keep their hopes of progressing alive. Turkey are considered slight favourites by bookmakers, but Paraguay’s resilience and defensive discipline could make this a tight contest if they rediscover the form that guided them through qualification.

With both sides eager to avoid back-to-back defeats, a cautious and tactical opening seems likely as they try to settle into the match.

Score prediction: Turkey 2-1 Paraguay

Turkey will be relying on Arda Guler to inject creativity and spark into their attack as they push for a place in the World Cup knockout stages.

Match odds (via BoyleSports):
Turkey win – Evens
Draw – 9/4
Paraguay win – 13/5

How to watch Turkey vs Paraguay:
The Group D match of the 2026 World Cup between Turkey and Paraguay will be broadcast live on BBC in the UK, FOX in the United States, and SBS in Australia. Check local listings for coverage details.

With both nations determined to recover from their opening setbacks, this fixture promises to be a tense and decisive battle in Group D.