Turkey Eliminated from 2026 FIFA World Cup After Narrow Defeat to Paraguay
In a disappointing turn of events, Turkey has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a 1-0 loss to Paraguay at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California. A second-minute goal from Matías Galarza proved decisive, despite Paraguay finishing the match with ten men.
Turkey’s World Cup journey came to an abrupt end as they faced Paraguay in a must-win match. The game started on a challenging note for Turkey, with Matías Galarza scoring for Paraguay just two minutes into the match, giving them an early advantage.
As the first half progressed, Paraguay faced a setback when Miguel Almirón received a straight red card for violating FIFA’s new rule against players covering their mouths during play. This left Paraguay to defend their slim lead with only ten players for the remainder of the match.
Despite having the numerical advantage, Turkey struggled to convert their chances into goals throughout the second half. The team’s inability to find the net ultimately sealed their fate in the tournament.
This defeat not only marked Turkey’s exit but also secured the top position in the group for the United States, who will meet Turkey in their final match on Thursday. Meanwhile, Paraguay will face Australia in a crucial game where the winner will take the second spot in the group.