13/06/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | JUNE 13, 2026

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2026 WORLD CUP

Pressure on Turkiye, says Socceroos defender Degenek

at his second World Cup. The three have a shared experience as the chil dren of asylum seekers who rose through the footballing ranks in Australia’s sleepy state capital of Adelaide. Already feted among Australia’s 500,000-strong African diaspora, their chemistry may be key to Australia’s hopes of advancing through the group phase and winning a World Cup knock out match for the first time. “It’s the country that gave us the opportunity to live,” said 22-year-old Toure. “So I think (the World Cup) would be the best way to pay back and just do what I love at a top level.” – Reuters

a World Cup. So we’ve got a bit of experience in that regard. “They’ve obviously got experienced footballers who play at the top level at the best clubs in the world, I’m saying we’ve got a little bit more experience in terms of national team competition foot ball.” Australia coach Tony Popovic is put ting his faith in attackers Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda, two young talents eyeing their first World Cup minutes in tomorrow’s match At 30, Awer Mabil is the duo’s “older brother” and will be on hand to sup port them as a mentor

major tournament World Cup since 2002,” Degenek told reporters ahead of tomorrow’s (12noon) match in Vancouver. “There’s a lot hope on them and a lot pressure, but we’re ready for that definitely.” Degenek was also in Australia’s squad at the 2018 and 2022 tourna ments and said their World Cup pedi gree could prove decisive. “I think this is 26 players (that) have never experienced a World Cup from the Turkiye side,” the 32-year-old added. “And we in our squad have, what, nine players that already have experienced

THE weight of expectations will be on Turkiye’s shoulders when they return to the World Cup after 24 years for their Group D opener against Australia, Socceroos defender Milos Degenek said yesterday. Turkiye have frequently featured in the European Championship, but have only played at the World Cup twice, making their debut in 1954 and then going on to finish third in their second appearance in 2002. By contrast, Australia have played in the last five World Cups, twice making it to the last 16. “I think Turkiye’s got a lot of pressure as well because they haven’t been to a

Swiss aim for Group B favourites out to make early statement of intent

fast launch

S WITZERLAND will begin their World Cup campaign against Qatar tomorrow (3am Malaysian time) knowing that anything less than victory could complicate their path to the knock out stages. While the Swiss enter the Group B encounter as clear favorites, Qatar arrive determined to prove they can compete with established football nations on the world’s biggest stage. Switzerland have built a reputa tion as one of international football’s most consistent teams, qualifying for six consecutive World Cups and regularly advancing beyond the group phase. Under head coach Murat Yakin, the Swiss have combined defensive discipline with greater attacking ambition, creating optimism that this could be one of the nation’s strongest tournament squads. Captain Granit Xhaka remains the heartbeat of the team. The expe rienced midfielder, who has enjoyed another impressive season at club level, believes Switzerland have the quality to make a deep run in the tournament. “We want to achieve something remarkable,” Xhaka said before the World Cup. The Swiss skipper also emphasized the importance of start ing strongly, noting that progression from the group stage remains the team’s minimum objective. Head coach Yakin has challenged his players to make history. “We want to play the best World Cup seen from a Swiss team,” Yakin said as expectations continue to rise around the squad.

creativity, movement and ability to create chances from seemingly impossible situations. Tactically, Switzerland are expected to dominate possession and control the midfield battle, while Qatar will likely adopt a compact defensive shape and look to

Switzerland’s strength lies in their balance across the pitch. Defender Manuel Akanji provides leadership and composure at the back, while striker Breel Embolo offers pace, power and a consistent goal threat. The team also features several younger players who have impressed during qualifying and recent interna tional fixtures, giving Switzerland both depth and flexibility. For Qatar, the match repre sents another opportunity

Granit Xhaka

strike on the counterat tack. If Qatar can remain organ ized and frus

to demonstrate the pro gress of football in the Gulf nation. The Asian side endured a difficult experience as hosts of the 2022 World Cup, losing all three group-stage matches. However, back-to-back AFC Asian Cup triumphs have restored confi dence and rein forced the belief that Qatar can challenge stronger opponents on their day. Much of Qatar’s attacking hopes will rest on Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, whose partnership has been central to many of the team’s recent successes. Afif, in particular, has developed into one of Asia’s most dangerous attacking players thanks to his

trate

favor. The Europeans possess greater qual ity across the field and should have enough attacking firepower to break down Qatar’s resistance. With crucial points at stake in a competitive Group B, Switzerland will be eager to make an immediate statement. Qatar, meanwhile, will hope to produce one of the tourna ment’s first major surprises. – Agencies

their opponents

early, pres sure could begin to build

on the Swiss.

Nevertheless,

experience, squad depth and recent form all point in Switzerland’s

Scotland, Haiti target vital opening win

League experience – thrashed New Zealand 4-0 before conceding two late goals to lose 2-1 to Peru in their pre World Cup matches. The Caribbean islanders, who played their home World Cup qualifying matches abroad due to gang warfare in Haiti, rely on foreign-based players with the sole exception of midfielder Woodensky Pierre. Migne, the coach, has not set foot in Haiti. While Scotland can count on their rau cous Tartan Army of travelling fans, Haiti are also likely to be roared on in Boston, home to the third-biggest Haitian community in the US. – Reuters

ing “fantastic problems” selecting his starting 11 with several players hitting form. Lawrence Shankland, newly signed by Glasgow giants Rangers, scored three goals in the two recent friendlies, while Torino forward Che Adams got a brace against Bolivia. Scotland midfielder Ryan Christie told the BBC that no one was complacent about Haiti – ranked 83rd by Fifa – “but it gives us the chance to get off to a good start. You probably look at the group and that’s the easiest on paper.” Haiti – bolstered by the inclusion of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Wilson Isidor, who both have English Premier

lost their three group games at their only previous appearance in 1974 while Scotland have fallen at the first hurdle in all eight of theirs. But the enlargement of the competi tion and the introduction this year of the round of 32 will make it easier than ever to advance, and a total of three points from the group stage plus a respectable goal difference are likely to be enough. Both teams head to Boston with confi dence. Scotland scored eight goals in two warm-up games against Curacao and Bolivia, conceding only once. Clarke – leading the Scots to their first World Cup since 1998 – said he was fac

SCOTLAND and Haiti cannot afford to start their World Cup campaigns gently when they meet tomorrow (9am Malaysian time) with both teams in need of a quick win in their tournament opener ahead of tougher opposition in the next two games. Five-time world champions Brazil and Morocco – who defeated Spain and Portugal en route to the semifinals in 2022 – are also in Group C, putting pressure on Les Grenadiers under French coach Sebastien Migne and Steve Clarke’s Scotland to take all three points at the Boston Stadium. Neither country has ever reached the knockout phase of a World Cup: Haiti