Türkiye is set to kick off its UEFA Nations League campaign against France on Friday at Kocaeli Stadium, marking its return to League A since the competition’s inception in 2018. The match poses a challenging start for Türkiye, as they face a formidable French team now under the guidance of new head coach Zinedine Zidane.
After a disappointing 2026 World Cup run, Türkiye is eager for a strong performance in the Nations League. Historically, they have struggled against France, securing just one win, alongside a draw and four losses in their six encounters. Their sole victory against France was a 2-0 win during the 2019 European Championship qualifiers.
In terms of team composition, Türkiye may have to manage without midfielder Orkun Kökçü, who is doubtful for the match due to a toe injury. The squad will also see the introduction of several players who have earned their first senior call-ups.
France’s lineup includes star player and captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. However, Mbappé’s participation is uncertain after he missed a training session due to flu-like symptoms. Additionally, France is dealing with several fitness concerns among its players.
The match is part of Group A1, which also features Italy and Belgium. Following the opener against France, Türkiye will host Italy on September 28 before traveling to Belgium and Italy in October.