Türkiye is set to kick off its UEFA Nations League journey with a challenging matchup against France this Friday at Kocaeli Stadium. This marks Türkiye’s return to League A of the competition for the first time since its inception in 2018. Under the leadership of head coach Vincenzo Montella, Türkiye aims to bounce back from its disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign.
The opening encounter will test Türkiye against a formidable French team now guided by newly appointed head coach Zinedine Zidane. Historically, Türkiye has struggled against France, managing just one win in their six past encounters. The sole victory came during a European Championship qualifier in 2019, where they emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline.
In preparation for the match, Türkiye faces some lineup uncertainties. Midfielder Orkun Kökçü is doubtful due to a toe injury, and several players are expected to make their senior team debuts. Meanwhile, the French squad features notable names like captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. However, Mbappé recently missed a training session due to flu-like symptoms, and France is also dealing with other fitness-related absences.
Both teams are part of Group A1, which also includes Italy and Belgium. Following their opener against France, Türkiye will host Italy on September 28 before traveling to face Belgium and Italy in October. As the competition unfolds, Türkiye seeks to make a strong impression in its return to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League.