Turkey vs France 2026 Preview Teams Lineups and Key Players

Turkey face France on Friday in the opening match of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League. The League A Group A1 fixture will be played at Kocaeli Stadyumu, with kick-off set for 11:45 PM Pakistan time.

The match also begins a new chapter for France, with Zinedine Zidane taking charge of the national team for the first time after replacing Didier Deschamps. Turkey continue under Vincenzo Montella, who has been in charge since 2023.

Turkey vs France Preview

Turkey enter the Nations League campaign in League A for the first time. They were promoted after winning League B in the previous edition and now face a difficult Group A1 containing France, Italy and Belgium.

Vincenzo Montella remains in charge, while Hakan Çalhanoğlu continues to be one of the most important players in the team. The Inter midfielder provides control in possession and remains a major threat from set pieces.

Turkey have plenty of attacking options under Vincenzo Montella. Arda Güler, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Barış Alper Yılmaz and Can Uzun offer different threats in the final third, while Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Orkun Kökçü add creativity from midfield.

The squad also includes experienced players such as Uğurcan Çakır, Zeki Çelik and Merih Demiral, with İsmail Yüksek providing another midfield option.

The match will be played at Kocaeli Stadyumu, where Turkey will begin their League A campaign in front of a home crowd. The Turkish Football Federation confirmed the venue and the 21:45 local kick-off.

France also begin a new era under Zinedine Zidane, who replaced Didier Deschamps as head coach on July 28, 2026. His first four Nations League matches are against Turkey, Belgium, Italy and Belgium.

Zidane has named a 23-player squad led by captain Kylian Mbappé. The squad also features Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Eduardo Camavinga, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Ibrahima Konaté and Jules Koundé.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Marcus Thuram are among the notable absentees, while several uncapped players have received senior call-ups.

Turkey vs France Head-to-Head

The two countries have met six times at senior international level.

• October 14, 2019: France 1-1 Turkey, UEFA EURO qualifying
• June 8, 2019: Turkey 2-0 France, UEFA EURO qualifying
• June 5, 2009: France 1-0 Turkey, International Friendly
• June 26, 2003: France 3-2 Turkey, FIFA Confederations Cup
• November 15, 2000: Turkey 0-4 France, International Friendly
• October 9, 1996: France 4-0 Turkey, International Friendly

France have won four of the six meetings, Turkey have won once, and one match has ended in a draw. Their most recent meetings came during UEFA EURO 2020 qualifying, when Turkey won 2-0 at home before the return fixture ended 1-1.

Key Match Details

Detail	Information
Match	Turkey vs France
Competition	UEFA Nations League 2026-27
League	League A
Group	Group A1
Matchday	1 of 6
Date	Friday, September 25, 2026
Kick-off	11:45 PM Pakistan time
Turkey local time	9:45 PM
Venue	Kocaeli Stadyumu, Kocaeli
Turkey Coach	Vincenzo Montella
France Coach	Zinedine Zidane

UEFA's official fixture list confirms Turkey vs France as a Group A1 Matchday 1 fixture on September 25. TFF lists the match for 21:45 Turkey time at Kocaeli Stadyumu.

Turkey Expected Lineup (4-3-3)

Uğurcan Çakır; Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı; Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Orkun Kökçü, İsmail Yüksek; Arda Güler, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Kerem Aktürkoğlu.

This is a predicted XI, not a confirmed lineup. UEFA states that the official squad list for the match will be updated on the morning of the game.

France Expected Lineup (4-3-3)

Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Truffert; Eduardo Camavinga, Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaïre-Emery; Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé.

France have several ways to set up under Zidane, so this should also be treated as a predicted formation rather than an official XI. The players listed are all part of Zidane's announced 23-man squad.

Turkey vs France Key Player Battles

Hakan Çalhanoğlu vs France Midfield

Çalhanoğlu will be central to Turkey's build-up and set-piece threat. France have several midfield options capable of pressing him and limiting his time on the ball.

Arda Güler vs Adrien Truffert

Güler's ability to move inside from the right can create difficult decisions for France's left side. His passing and combination play will be important if Turkey want to create chances against France's defence.

Kylian Mbappé vs Turkey Defence

Mbappé remains France's biggest attacking threat. The Real Madrid forward enters Zidane's first international match as France captain and their all-time leading scorer.

Michael Olise vs Turkey's Left Side

Olise gives France another creative outlet from the right. His ability to cut inside and combine with Mbappé could create problems for Turkey if France establish possession in the final third.

Turkey vs France Nations League Campaign

Turkey and France begin their Group A1 campaign against each other. Turkey next face Italy on September 28, while France travel to Belgium.

The top two teams in Group A1 advance to the quarter-finals. The 2026-27 Nations League runs from September 24 to June 2027.

Watch Turkey vs France Live on tapmad

Football fans in Pakistan and Bangladesh can watch Turkey vs France live on tapmad during the UEFA Nations League. The Group A1 clash takes place on Friday, September 25, with kick-off at 11:45 PM Pakistan time. tapmad has confirmed live streaming coverage of the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League for viewers in Pakistan and Bangladesh.