Türkiye is set to kick off its UEFA Nations League campaign with a challenging match against France on Friday at Kocaeli Stadium. This encounter marks Türkiye’s return to League A, a division it has not competed in since the Nations League’s inception in 2018. The Turkish team, led by coach Vincenzo Montella, is aiming to bounce back from a lackluster 2026 World Cup performance, while France embarks on a new chapter under the guidance of recently appointed head coach Zinedine Zidane.
Historically, Türkiye has struggled against France, securing only one win in their previous six encounters, alongside a draw and four losses. Their sole victory was a 2-0 triumph during the 2019 European Championship qualifiers. In preparation for the match, Türkiye faces uncertainties, with midfielder Orkun Kökçü possibly sidelined due to a toe injury and several players receiving their first senior call-ups.
France’s lineup features star players such as captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. However, the team is also dealing with its own challenges, as Mbappé missed a training session due to flu-like symptoms, and other players are unavailable because of fitness issues.
Both Türkiye and France are part of Group A1, which also includes Italy and Belgium. Following Friday’s match, Türkiye will host Italy on September 28, before traveling to face Belgium and Italy in October, as they aim to make a strong impression in the tournament.