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My FIFA World Cup Diary – 5
Turkey is the first to go home after losing 0-1 to Paraguay
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Sat, 20, Jun 2026
- 16:56 EDT
- 51
FIFA / FIFA
Every FIFA World Cup is a pack of surprises, some savoury and some unsavoury. While the three co-hosts have every reason to be pleased with the performance of their teams, some teams are on the brink of elimination. Turkey has become the first one to start packing for journey back home after it suffered its second successive defeat in as many games, losing to Paraguay 0-1.
Turkey had returned to the World Cup after 24 years. But its journey ended after two successive defeats in the group matches. All the more, Turkey got eliminated without scoring a single goal. Luck eluded Turkey as it had an abundance of chances in both the games but still could not score.
The elimination of Turkey was triggered by the fastest goal of the current edition of the World Cup. Interestingly, Matias Galarza was brought into the starting XI for Paraguay by the team management. And it paid off immediately. The midfielder picked up a ball and stepped into the danger zone near the top of Turkey’s penalty area before rocketing a low shot into the bottom corner. Incredible opening moments. And Paraguay defended that goal for the rest of the match.
Turkey lost its first game to Australia 0-2 and thus its hopes of progressing to round of 32 were dashed by Paraguay. Thus, it becomes the first nation to be eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Though they have their third and final game against the major of three co-hosts, the USA, to go, the head-to-head rule means it cannot finish any higher than fourth in Group D.
Paraguay is now at the third spot, equal on points with Australia (3). It will face Australia in the last game. The Socceroos’ need a win or a draw to progress to the second spot to remain in contention for a direct qualification to the round of 32.
After Turkey, 15 other teams too, will be facing elimination at the end of the Group matches. The eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will also make it through to the round of 32.
It was a touching scene to see that after the full-time whistle, a number of Turkey players went down on their knees. Crestfallen, some could not control tears as they never imagined their FIFA World Cup 2026 sojourn would be so short.
Others had their heads in their hands as they after conceding an early lead put everything into their game. But it was luck that eluded them. In spite of best of their efforts, including 32 shots, 51 touches in the box, 12 corners, and almost 80 percent possession, an all important goal eluded them.
On the other hand, Paraguay players, like Australians, bunkered down and defended their fort as if they were fighting for their lives, throwing themselves at every cross, shot, and pass. As the final whistle marked the end of the game, the Paraguayans erupt in cheers, sprinting around the field to hug their team-mates and coaching staff. A heroic effort with ten players after the fastest goal in this World Cup so far.
In Toronto, there was a virtual siege in the area surrounding Toronto Stadium. Though it is BMO Stadium, the FIFA regulations require that no venue of the World Cup should have a commercial or corporate name. It is why BMO stadium is for the FIFA World Cup Toronto Stadium.
Since the Stadium is located in the Lakeshore area facing Lake Ontario, the entire Harbourfront was clogged from early in the day for the afternoon game between Germany and Ivory Coast. Even the public transport, including Street Cars operating on the route leading to the Toronto Stadium, had to be suspended for varying durations to clear the rush. Harbourfront has a special FIFA World Cup fan centre where the game is played on huge screens.
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