Türkiye is set to kick off its UEFA Nations League campaign with a challenging match against France on Friday at Kocaeli Stadium. This marks Türkiye’s return to League A, a tier they last participated in when the competition began in 2018. The team, led by coach Vincenzo Montella, faces a formidable opponent in France, which is now under the guidance of new head coach Zinedine Zidane.
As Türkiye looks to rebound from a disappointing 2026 World Cup performance, they face a daunting task against a French team beginning a new era following the departure of long-time coach Didier Deschamps. Historically, Türkiye has struggled against France, with only one win in their last six encounters. That victory came during a 2-0 European Championship qualifying match in 2019.
In terms of team news, Türkiye’s midfielder Orkun Kökçü remains doubtful for the match due to a toe injury that has kept him out of training. Additionally, the squad will see several players making their debut senior appearances, adding an element of unpredictability to their lineup.
France’s squad boasts notable talents including captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. However, Mbappé’s participation is uncertain as he missed a training session due to flu-like symptoms. France is also dealing with several other fitness concerns within their squad.
Both teams are part of Group A1, which also includes Italy and Belgium. Following the match against France, Türkiye will host Italy on September 28 before embarking on away games against Belgium and Italy in October.