World Cup 2026: Socceroos open campaign with win against Turkey – in pictures

Australia fans include an RCMP officer in the festivities on their way into BC Place Vancouver before kick-off. Photograph: Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press/AP Share

An Australia fan has his face painted at Federation Square in Melbourne. Photograph: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images Share

The ubiquitous inflatable kangaroo takes flight at the live site in Melbourne. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP Share

A Turkey fan cheers on the side during the World Cup Group D match against Australia. Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP Share

Australia fans drink beer out of a shoe at BC Place Vancouver. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Share

The Australia and Turkey national anthems ring out at BC Place Vancouver. Photograph: Agustín Marcarian/Reuters Share

A Turkey fan supports his team before the World Cup match against Australia. Photograph: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press/AP Share

Australia’s Aiden O’Neill fights for the ball against Turkey’s Baris Alper Yilmaz. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters Share

Socceroos attacker Connor Metcalfe takes on Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu in Vancouver. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Share

Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir collects the a cross to deny a Socceroos attack. Photograph: Agustín Marcarian/Reuters Share

Australia’s Nestory Irankunda fights for possession against Turkey midfielder Ismail Yuksek. Photograph: Agustín Marcarian/Reuters Share

Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati keeps Turkey’s Baris Alper Yilmaz in check. Photograph: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Share

Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir leaps desperately for the ball. Photograph: Emma Peterson/AP Share

Mohamed Toure launch an Australia counterattack in a race with Turkey defender Abdulkerim Bardakci. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters Share

Nestory Irankunda wheels away to celebrate after scoring the Socceroos’ opening goal of the 2026 World Cup. Photograph: Jared C Tilton/FIFA/Getty Images Share

Nestory Irankunda shot nestles into the net as Australia take the lead against Turkey. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters Share

Australia’s Nestory Irankunda celebrates scoring against Turkey with a homage to Tim Cahill. Photograph: Kaleb Tatum/AP Share

Australia fans celebrate the opening goal with a flare and a blow up flying kangaroo unleashed in Sydney. Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP Share

The Socceroos’ Connor Metcalfe and Turkey’s Yunus Akgun rise to compete for a header. Photograph: Bob Frid/EPA Share

Turkey fans watch on in Ankara as their side tries to find a way through the Socceroos’ defence. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Share

Turkey defender Zeki Celik is outnumbered as Australia’s Jordan Bos and Cameron Burgess dial up the pressure. Photograph: Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press/AP Share

Australia’s Connor Metcalfe strikes to extend the Socceroos’ lead over Turkey. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Share

Connor Metcalfe is swamped as Australia celebrate taking a 2-0 lead over Turkey at the World Cup. Photograph: Abbie Parr/AP Share

Fans are on edge at Federation Square in Melbourne as the Socceroos defence digs deep against Turkey. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images Share

Australia attacker Tete Yengi brings the ball to ground to ease the pressure on the Socceroos defence. Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Share

Socceroos defender Aiden O’Neill times a tackle to perfection against Turkey’s Yunus Akgun. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images Share

Fans at Federation Square in Melbourne count down the clock as Australia seek to hold on to their lead over Turkey. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images Share

Merih Demiral rises to the occasion as Turkey look for a way back into the World Cup match against Australia. Photograph: Agustín Marcarian/Reuters Share