VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Australia opened its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Türkiye on Saturday night at BC Place, spoiling the Turks' long-awaited return to the world's biggest soccer tournament and immediately positioning itself as a contender in Group D.
Goals from rising star Nestory Irankunda and midfielder Connor Metcalfe, combined with a stellar performance from goalkeeper Patrick Beach, lifted the Socceroos to victory before a lively crowd in Vancouver.
The result puts Australia level with the United States atop Group D after the Americans opened their tournament with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The two teams will now meet Friday in Seattle in a match that could determine control of the group.
Australia, appearing in its sixth consecutive World Cup and seventh overall, arrived in Canada carrying momentum from its memorable run to the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Türkiye, meanwhile, was making its first World Cup appearance since its surprising semifinal run in 2002.
With FIFA president Gianni Infantino watching from the stands, the Socceroos absorbed early pressure before breaking through in the 27th minute.
Less than a minute after the first-half hydration break, Irankunda found space near the edge of the penalty area and drove a low shot through traffic and beyond the goalkeeper. The goal made the 20-year-old Watford forward Australia's youngest World Cup goal scorer.
Irankunda celebrated by punching the corner flag, paying tribute to Australian soccer icon Tim Cahill, whose memorable World Cup celebrations remain part of Australian soccer lore.
Australia nearly doubled its lead moments later, but the first half increasingly became a showcase for Beach.
The young goalkeeper was a surprise selection by coach Tony Popovic, who chose him over veteran captain Matthew Ryan. Beach rewarded that faith with several key saves, including a spectacular stop on a long-range effort from Abdulkerim Bardakcı.
Türkiye increased its urgency after halftime, introducing Juventus star Kenan Yıldız and relying heavily on Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler to spark the attack.
Güler nearly equalized in the 57th minute with a dangerous free kick, but Beach again came to Australia's rescue.
The Socceroos delivered the decisive blow in the 75th minute.
A turnover by Ismail Yüksek allowed Metcalfe to race onto the loose ball and calmly finish, doubling Australia's advantage and effectively ending Türkiye's hopes of a comeback.
Beach finished with eight saves and a clean sheet, emerging as one of the standout performers of the opening round of the tournament.
For Türkiye, the defeat was a disappointing start to its first World Cup appearance in 24 years. The nation that famously finished third at the 2002 tournament showed flashes of quality but struggled to break down Australia's organized defense despite possessing talented young stars such as Güler and Yıldız.
Australia now turns its attention to a highly anticipated showdown with the United States on Friday in Seattle. With both teams sitting on three points after the opening matchday, the winner could take a major step toward securing first place in Group D and a favorable path to the knockout rounds.
For one night, however, the spotlight belonged to Australia. Behind a record-setting goal from Irankunda and a breakout performance from Beach, the Socceroos announced themselves as a team capable of making another deep World Cup run.