By Daniel Akinte
Turkey’s long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup after 24 years ended in bitter disappointment as they crashed out at the group stage without scoring a single goal.
Despite creating numerous chances and controlling large spells of both matches, the Crescent-Stars were left to rue missed opportunities and a controversial moment that became one of the tournament’s biggest talking points.
Plenty of chances, no goals
Turkey’s campaign began with a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Australia. The scoreline hardly reflected the flow of the game, with Turkey enjoying 72 percent possession and firing an incredible 30 shots. However, their lack of cutting edge in front of goal proved costly, as Australia punished their wastefulness and walked away with all three points.
Needing a positive result in their second match against Paraguay to keep their hopes alive, Turkey once again struggled to convert their chances. Despite another energetic performance and several attacking opportunities, they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Across the two matches, Turkey attempted 61 shots, with only 13 hitting the target. Remarkably, they failed to score a single goal, while conceding three at the other end. It was a painful statistic that summed up a campaign full of promise but lacking the finishing touch needed on football’s biggest stage.
Historic red card overshadows Paraguay clash
The decisive match against Paraguay was also remembered for a bizarre and unprecedented disciplinary incident involving Paraguay captain Miguel Almirón.
Just before halftime, Almirón was shown a straight red card after covering his mouth while speaking to Turkey defender Mert Müldür during a heated confrontation.
The dismissal marked the first red card issued under IFAB’s new 2026 regulation, which prohibits players from covering their mouths during confrontational exchanges.
The rule was introduced earlier this year in an effort to improve transparency and accountability on the pitch. While there was no suggestion that Almirón used abusive language, the act itself was enough to warrant dismissal under the updated guidelines.
Paraguay had already taken the lead through Matías Galarza’s early strike and managed to hold on for victory despite playing the remainder of the match with ten men.
A tournament of what-ifs
For Turkey, the 2026 World Cup will be remembered as a campaign of frustration and missed opportunities. Their performances showed they were capable of competing with quality opposition, but their inability to convert chances ultimately proved their downfall.
After waiting nearly a quarter-century to return to the world’s biggest football tournament, Turkey’s journey ended sooner than they had hoped, leaving players and fans wondering what might have been had even a few of those 61 shots found the back of the net.