Türkiye is set to commence its UEFA Nations League journey against France this Friday at Kocaeli Stadium, marking its return to League A since the tournament’s inception in 2018. The match presents a formidable challenge for Türkiye, as they face a French team now under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Zinedine Zidane.
Having experienced a lackluster 2026 World Cup campaign, Türkiye aims to make a strong impression in this competition. However, history is not on their side, with only one victory against France in their past six encounters—a 2-0 win during the 2019 European Championship qualifiers.
In preparation for the match, Türkiye faces potential lineup adjustments with midfielder Orkun Kökçü’s participation in doubt due to a toe injury. Additionally, the team will feature several players making their first appearances on the senior squad.
France’s roster boasts high-profile names including captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. Despite Mbappé missing a training session due to flu-like symptoms, France remains a strong contender, though they also contend with fitness issues affecting several players.
Both teams are competing in Group A1 alongside Italy and Belgium. Following Friday’s clash, Türkiye will face Italy at home on September 28 before traveling to Belgium and Italy in October. The outcome of these matches will be crucial for Türkiye as they navigate the challenges of League A.