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Fans in Vancouver can look forward to a potentially thrilling encounter as the Socceroos face off against Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkiye.

Australia and Turkiye will conclude the opening round of Group D fixtures when they clash in Vancouver on Saturday night.

Both teams will have taken note of Friday’s action, when tournament co-hosts the United States of America dominated Paraguay with a comprehensive 4-1 victory.

That performance has set a high bar for the remaining sides in the group, making three points all the more crucial in the race to reach the knockout stage.

Australia and Turkiye have experienced vastly different journeys at the World Cup over the past 24 years.

The Socceroos have been ever-present since 2006, with this edition marking their seventh consecutive appearance at the global tournament, after only qualifying once before in 1974.

In contrast, Turkiye have missed every World Cup since 2002 despite finishing third that year and also reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2008.

At Euro 2024, Turkiye were involved in some of the most entertaining matches, progressing to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by the Netherlands. They will be eager to bring that same flair and attacking intent into this summer’s campaign.

Vincenzo Montella’s side boast two genuine stars in Real Madrid’s creative midfielder Arda Guler and Juventus’ dynamic forward Kenan Yildiz, although Yildiz remains a fitness concern after arriving at the tournament with an injury.

If Yildiz is fit to start, Turkiye’s attacking potential could be formidable. They may have required a play-off to qualify, but they netted more goals in the process than several sides who advanced automatically, including securing a 2-2 draw away to Spain in November.

Australia, meanwhile, will need to find solutions in attack after suffering several injury setbacks of their own.

Middlesbrough midfielder Riley McGree was ruled out of the tournament after an injury late in the Championship season, while Norwich’s in-form forward Mo Toure missed training earlier this week due to illness.

Watford’s rising star Nestory Irankunda stood out in the Socceroos’ pre-tournament friendlies, but even with his pace and energy, Turkiye’s offensive firepower may prove too much for Australia to contain.

Score prediction: Australia 1-3 Turkiye