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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers aim to determine 16 representatives from Europe for the final tournament, which will be the first in history to feature 48 teams. In this process, UEFA is using a qualification format in which 53 teams are divided into 12 groups. The winner of each group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the runners-up will advance to the play-off stage to be held in March 2026. In the play-off stage, four additional teams from the UEFA Nations League will join the group runners-up to determine the holders of three remaining spots. After the group matches are completed in November 2025, a total of 16 European teams will earn the right to compete in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
On 4 September 2025, Türkiye and Georgia faced each other at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers Group E. This match, one of the opening fixtures of the group, ended with a 3-2 victory for Türkiye.
Prior to this encounter, the national teams of Türkiye and Georgia had met six times. Türkiye won four of these matches, one ended in a draw, and Georgia won one. In these encounters, Türkiye scored a total of 15 goals while conceding six.
Their most recent meeting took place during the group stage of the 2024 European Championship in Germany. Türkiye won that match in Dortmund 3-1. Goals were scored by Mert Müldür, Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu, while Georgia’s sole goal came from Mikautadze.
Their first official meeting was held on 4 September 2004 in Trabzon and ended in a 1-1 draw. In the return match on 30 March 2005, Türkiye defeated Georgia 5-2 in Tbilisi.
The provisional squad announced by head coach Vincenzo Montella included players from both domestic and foreign clubs. Experienced players such as Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Merih Demiral, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Uğurcan Çakır were named in the squad.
Before the match against Georgia, Montella stated that the team had conducted a detailed analysis of their opponent’s tactics and aimed to replicate the victory achieved in the European Championship. He also addressed allegations of tension within the squad, with the coaching staff and players emphasizing that these claims were unfounded.
At the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi, Türkiye’s supporters did not leave their national team unaccompanied. Fans in the designated sections showed tremendous enthusiasm and made a significant presence in the 55,000-capacity stadium.
Georgia - Türkiye Match (AA)
The match was attended by Georgia’s President Mikheil Kavelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, as well as Türkiye’s Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu. Additionally, members of the TFF board and officials from the Georgian Football Federation were present at the match.
Georgia - Türkiye Match (AA)
Mamardashvili – Kakabadze (85' Gocholeishvili), Kashia, Goglichidze, Lochoshvili (69' Azarov) – Tsitaishvili (46' Gagnidze), Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili (81' Guliashvili) – Davitashvili, Kvaratskhelia, Mikautadze
Uğurcan Çakır – Mert Müldür, Merih Demiral, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı – İsmail Yüksek (46' Orkun Kökçü), Hakan Çalhanoğlu – Yunus Akgün (66' Oğuz Aydın), Arda Güler (86' İrfan Can Kahveci), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (66' Barış Alper Yılmaz) – Kenan Yıldız (79' Ferdi Kadıoğlu)
Georgia - Türkiye Match (AA)
The match was played at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi. Türkiye started strongly and scored the opening goal in their first serious attack. In the 3rd minute, Mert Müldür rose well above the six-yard box to head home a corner kick delivered by Arda Güler from the left flank. This goal, the first significant chance of the match, was also Türkiye’s first goal in the qualifiers.
In the 10th minute, the national team came close to scoring again. After a press by İsmail Yüksek in midfield won possession, the ball was played to Arda Güler, whose shot from inside the penalty area struck a defender and deflected onto the corner flag.
In the 41st minute, Türkiye scored their second goal. Following a free kick won on the right flank, a scramble in the penalty area left the ball at the feet of Kerem Aktürkoğlu, who fired it into the net with a low shot from close range using his left foot.
For the remainder of the first half, Georgia attempted several attacks, particularly through Kvaratskhelia and Davitashvili, but failed to seriously test goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır. Türkiye’s defense, led by Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Merih Demiral, dominated aerial duels. In midfield, Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s role as a passing hub and Arda Güler’s linking play stood out.
At halftime, Türkiye went into the dressing room with a 2-0 lead.
Georgia - Türkiye Match (AA)
Türkiye began the second half with a two-goal advantage and did not make any changes at the start. Orkun Kökçü replaced İsmail Yüksek at halftime, aiming to improve midfield passing balance.
In the 52nd minute, Türkiye scored their third goal. After receiving a through pass from Arda Güler in midfield, Yunus Akgün turned the ball toward the penalty spot. Kerem Aktürkoğlu, arriving from behind, struck the ball into the net with a powerful shot. The score became 3-0, extending Türkiye’s lead.
In the 63rd minute, Georgia scored their first goal. Mekvabishvili, who broke behind the defense, faced goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır and shot toward goal. The ball hit the post and rebounded, where Zuriko Davitashvili tapped it in from close range. The score was now 3-1, and Georgia regained hope.
In the 66th minute, Türkiye made two substitutions: Yunus Akgün was replaced by Oğuz Aydın and Kerem Aktürkoğlu by Barış Alper Yılmaz. Georgia also introduced Azarov in a similar attempt to strengthen their attack.
In the 71st minute, Türkiye were reduced to 10 men. Barış Alper Yılmaz received a yellow card from Italian referee Davide Massa for a challenge on Kochorashvili in midfield. After a VAR review, the decision was upgraded to a red card and he was sent off. In the same minute, Georgia’s head coach Willy Sagnol was also shown a red card and dismissed from the touchline for a vehement protest to the referee.
Following the red card, Türkiye adopted a more defensive structure and made substitutions to reinforce midfield control. In the 79th minute, Kenan Yıldız was replaced by Ferdi Kadıoğlu, and in the 86th minute, Arda Güler was replaced by İrfan Can Kahveci.
In the 90+8th minute, Georgia scored their second goal. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and fired a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner. The gap was reduced to one goal, making the score 3-2.
In the 90+10th minute, Hakan Çalhanoğlu received a yellow card for time-wasting in the final moments of the match. No further goals were scored, and Türkiye left the field with a 3-2 victory.
Overall, the second half saw Türkiye initially comfortable in extending their lead, but after the red card, they came under pressure and shifted into a defensive posture. Their resilience in the closing stages was enough to preserve the three points. With this result, Türkiye began the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group E with a win.
Georgia - Türkiye Match (AA)
Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers consists of four teams: Türkiye, Spain, Georgia and Bulgaria. After the opening matches, the standings were established and early indicators of the group’s hierarchy emerged. Each team will play six matches in the group stage. The team finishing first will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed team will advance to the play-off stage in March 2026.
In the first matchday, Türkiye defeated Georgia 3-2 away, while Spain secured a convincing 3-0 away win over Bulgaria.
The resulting standings are as follows:
Spain leads the group on goal difference, while Türkiye, despite having the same number of points, sits in second place. Georgia and Bulgaria have yet to earn a point. Türkiye and Spain’s opening victories highlight them as the two primary contenders for top position in the group.
Türkiye’s next match, a home fixture against Spain in Konya, will be a decisive test in the race for group leadership. This encounter has the potential to significantly influence the group’s final standings. On the same day, Georgia will travel to Bulgaria in an attempt to earn their first point in the group.
As the group consists of four teams playing each other twice, every win carries high importance. Goal difference is a critical tiebreaker in the event of equal points. Therefore, high-scoring victories can directly impact the race for top place. Spain and Türkiye, who led in goals scored after the first matchday, are the first two teams to gain this advantage.
Türkiye, hosting the second match of Group E in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, faced Spain on 7 September 2025 at the MEDAŞ Metropolitan Stadium in Konya. Having won their first match against Georgia, Türkiye left the field with a 6–0 defeat and failed to increase their points in the group.
Prior to this encounter, the national teams of Türkiye and Spain had met 11 times. Türkiye won only one of these matches, four ended in draws, and Spain won six. In these encounters, Türkiye scored five goals while Spain netted 17.
The most recent official meeting took place during the group stage of EURO 2016, which Spain won 3–0. The match played in September 2025 has been recorded as one of the most significant results in the historical head-to-head record. Spain’s goals came from Pedri (2), Merino (3), and Ferran Torres.
Türkiye’s head coach Vincenzo Montella retained the same starting lineup from the Georgia match. The starting eleven included Uğurcan Çakır, Merih Demiral, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and Kenan Yıldız.
In pre-match statements, Montella emphasized that the team had conducted a detailed analysis of Spain and regarded this match as crucial to their World Cup qualification objectives. Preparations for the players were described as physically and tactically focused.
Turkish fans showed strong support for the match in Konya. Spectators filled their designated sections at the MEDAŞ Metropolitan Stadium and cheered the national team from the stands. With approximately 40,000 attendees, fans maintained vocal encouragement throughout the match. Despite the heavy scoreline, stadium support continued until the final whistle.
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The match was attended by Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu from the stands. Other members of the TFF board and officials from Konya’s protocol also attended. Representatives from the Spanish Football Federation were also present.
Uğurcan Çakır – Mert Müldür (64' Zeki Çelik), Merih Demiral, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı (64' Ferdi Kadıoğlu) – İsmail Yüksek (82' Salih Özcan), Hakan Çalhanoğlu (68' Orkun Kökçü), Yunus Akgün (46' Oğuz Aydın) – Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Kerem Aktürkoğlu
Unai Simon – Pedro Porro, Huijsen, Le Normand, Cucurella – Zubimendi (73' Rodri), Merino, Pedri (68' De Frutos) – Nico Williams (43' Ferran Torres), Oyarzabal (68' Fermin Lopez), Lamine Yamal (73' Morata)
Türkiye came close to scoring in the second minute. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, receiving a pass from Yunus Akgün, struck a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area, but goalkeeper Unai Simon stretched to his right to parry the ball away.
Shortly after, Spain took the lead in the sixth minute. Pedri received a cross from Nico Williams at the edge of the penalty area and fired a precise low shot into the net.
In the 11th minute, another corner from Pedri bounced off the defense and fell to Huijsen inside the penalty area. His powerful shot was blocked by goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır. In the 14th minute, Lamine Yamal’s shot from the right flank was again saved by Çakır.
Spain doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. Oyarzabal passed the ball to Merino inside the penalty area, who then struck a low shot from near the penalty spot to make it 2–0. In the 28th minute, Nico Williams found himself one-on-one with Çakır after a pass from Yamal behind the defense, but the goalkeeper rushed out in time to deny the opportunity.
Türkiye had a chance in the 30th minute when Arda Güler’s shot from the edge of the penalty area struck the defense and went out for a corner. In stoppage time of the first half, Spain scored a third goal. In the 45+1 minute, Pedri, after a clever one-two with Oyarzabal, ran onto the ball at the byline and squared it to Merino, who finished with a low shot to make it 3–0.
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Türkiye made substitutions at the start of the second half and attempted to press higher, but Spain maintained control and extended their lead. In the 53rd minute, Lamine Yamal controlled a long ball in the penalty area and laid it off to Ferran Torres, who finished with a low shot to make it 4–0.
Spain scored their fifth goal in the 57th minute. Merino controlled a pass from Yamal outside the penalty area and fired a powerful shot from distance into the net. The final goal came in the 62nd minute. Pedri received a pass from Oyarzabal inside the penalty area, evaded the defense, and slotted a low shot past Çakır to seal the 6–0 result.
With this result, Spain left the field as 6–0 winners, while Türkiye suffered their first defeat in the group stage.
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This defeat stands as one of Türkiye’s heaviest losses at the senior national team level. Previously, Türkiye had lost by similar margins to England (twice), Poland, and Hungary. In their 12th meeting with Spain, Türkiye’s national team, in their 643rd match, has now won only once against Spain and suffered their seventh defeat.
After the second round of matches in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, the standings began to take shape. Türkiye, having won away against Georgia, lost at home to Spain. Spain secured their second consecutive win, taking their points total to six. In the other match, Georgia defeated Bulgaria 3–0 at home to claim their first victory.
Spain now lead the group with six points. Georgia and Türkiye are tied on three points each, but Georgia holds second place due to a superior goal difference. Bulgaria, having lost both matches, remain at the bottom with zero points.
Spain’s 6–0 victory over Türkiye did not only earn them three points but also created a decisive goal difference advantage. After two matches, Spain have scored nine goals and conceded none, making them the most dominant team in the group. Türkiye, despite scoring three goals against Georgia, have now conceded eight goals in total, giving them the worst defensive record in the group.
Türkiye’s heavy defeat represents a significant setback both in the standings and in team morale. Spain, by contrast, have firmly established a strong advantage in their path to direct World Cup qualification. Meanwhile, Georgia’s comfortable win over Bulgaria in their own stadium indicates that the battle for second place will be contested among the three teams.
Each team still has four matches remaining in the group. However, with regard to points and goal difference, Spain have gained a substantial advantage in their path to top position. The direct clash between Türkiye and Georgia in the coming weeks will be decisive in the race for second place. Considering that the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup and the second-place team advances to the play-offs in March 2026, the strategic importance of every remaining match continues to grow.
As part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, the Türkiye national football team faced Bulgaria away in their third group match. The contest, held on 26 March 2025 in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, ended in a decisive victory for Türkiye: 1-6.
The national football teams of Türkiye and Bulgaria have a long-standing rivalry. These encounters have developed into a sporting competition intertwined with Balkan proximity and historical political interactions. Türkiye’s 6-1 away win against Bulgaria stands as one of the most remarkable and highest-scoring victories in this rivalry, reinforcing Türkiye’s dominance on the field and strengthening its historical advantage.
Mitov, Popov (64’ Turitsov), Bozhinov, Hristov, Petrov, Kraev, Stoyanov, Chochev (72’ Krastev), Kirilov (73’ Lukas Petkov), Marin Petkov (64’ Dimitrov), Despodov (64’ Minchev).
Uğurcan Çakır, Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Orkun Kökçü, Hakan Çalhanoğlu (63’ Salih Özcan), Oğuz Aydın, Arda Güler (69’ Can Uzun), Kenan Yıldız (63’ İrfan Can Kahveci), Kerem Aktürkoğlu
The match was officiated by a refereeing trio from Portugal: Luis Godinho, Rui Teixeira, and Pedro Almeida.
Bulgaria - Türkiye match (AA)
The national team started the match with a fast and effective performance. In the 8th minute, Oğuz Aydın delivered a dangerous cross from the right flank. Orkun Kökçü controlled the ball in the penalty area and struck it with the inside of his foot toward the top corner; the ball hit the crossbar and went out of play.
In the 11th minute, Türkiye scored the goal they were seeking. Arda Güler, receiving a through pass from Hakan Çalhanoğlu, curled a precise shot into the net from the right diagonal to give Türkiye a 1-0 lead.
In the 13th minute, Bulgaria responded with a quick counterattack. Despodov delivered a cross from the right flank toward the penalty spot. Krilov’s shot deflected off Zeki Çelik and found the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Although the tempo dipped at times during the first half, both teams created chances. The teams went into halftime tied at 1-1.
Türkiye began the second half with greater organization. In the 48th minute, Abdülkerim Bardakcı tested his luck with a shot from outside the penalty area, but it narrowly went over the crossbar.
In the 49th minute, confusion in Bulgaria’s defense following a long pass from Hakan Çalhanoğlu led to Popov miscontrolling the ball, which then looped into the net, making the score 2-1.
Buoyed by the goal, the national team extended their lead in the 51st minute. Kenan Yıldız controlled Arda Güler’s pass inside the penalty area, broke free from the defense, and fired a clean shot to make it 1-3.
Kenan Yıldız scored again in the 56th minute. The young player received a precise pass from Hakan Çalhanoğlu on the left flank, dribbled past his marker, entered the penalty area, and finished with a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 4-1.
In the 65th minute, Zeki Çelik headed home a corner kick from Arda Güler on the right flank, sending the ball into the net to make it 5-1, extending the lead to four goals.
The decisive goal came in stoppage time. In the 90+3rd minute, Oğuz Aydın entered the penalty area, laid the ball off to İrfan Can Kahveci, who slid to strike it into the net and seal the match at 6-1.
The match between Türkiye and Georgia in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers was held at the Kocaeli Stadium. The Türkiye national football team left the field with a 4-1 victory. The goals for Türkiye were scored by Kenan Yıldız, Yunus Akgün and Merih Demiral (2), while Kochorashvili scored for Georgia.
Fourth Match: Türkiye - Georgia (AA)
The Türkiye national team completed its preparations for the match against Georgia under the management of head coach Vincenzo Montella at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Training and Education Facility. The first part of the training session was open to the press, followed by tactical drills. TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu and other officials also observed the session. After training, the national team traveled by road to Kocaeli.
Türkiye and Georgia have faced each other seven times prior to this match. Türkiye won five of those matches, lost one and drew one. This match marked their eighth encounter.
Türkiye National Team, preparations for the Georgia match (AA)
At the pre-match press conference, Türkiye national team head coach Vincenzo Montella commented on goalkeeper Berke Özer’s unauthorized departure from camp. Montella emphasized the importance of discipline and family atmosphere within the national team. He also noted that the match against Georgia would be challenging, highlighting the opponent’s development. He regarded the decision to donate all match gate revenues to Palestine as an important step in the name of humanity.
Türkiye National Team head coach Vincenzo Montella (AA)
Georgia national team head coach Willy Sagnol stated that their ambitions were high and that they aimed to secure an important result against Türkiye. Sagnol said that every match represents a new opportunity and that his team would fight for success on the pitch regardless of past results.
Georgia National Team head coach Willy Sagnol (AA)
The Turkish Football Federation decided to donate all gate revenues from the match to the people of Gaza. In its official statement, the Federation announced that the income generated from the match at the Kocaeli Stadium would be sent to the Palestinian people suffering from a humanitarian crisis. The decision was announced to the public prior to the match.
On match day, Palestinian children also attended the game from the stands and participated in the ceremony alongside the national footballers. This symbolic presence reflected the TFF’s humanitarian commitment on the pitch.
Fourth Match: Türkiye - Georgia (AA)
Throughout the match, the stands of the Kocaeli Stadium were filled with great enthusiasm. A total of 27,974 ticketed spectators filled the stands and supported the national team for the full 90 minutes.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the match from the stands. He was accompanied by Georgia’s President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, and TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu.
A special choreography was performed before the match at the Kocaeli Stadium. The stands displayed visuals of Türkiye’s national team captains: Eda Erdem (women’s volleyball), Hakan Çalhanoğlu (men’s football), and Cedi Osman (basketball), arranged in the shape of a red-and-white Türkiye map. A banner reading “Türk önde Türk ileri” was also unfurled during the choreography.
Fourth Match: Türkiye - Georgia protocol stand (AA)
Uğurcan Çakır, Mert Müldür, Merih Demiral, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Eren Elmalı, İsmail Yüksek, Hakan Çalhanoğlu (77' Salih Özcan), Arda Güler (68' Orkun Kökçü), Kenan Yıldız (83' Ferdi Kadıoğlu), Yunus Akgün (68' Barış Alper Yılmaz), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (78' Oğuz Aydın).
Mamardashvili, Kakabadze, Lochoshvili, Goglichidze, Gocholeishvili, Kochorashvili, Mekvabishvili, Kiteishvili (66' Gagnidze), Kvaratshkelia, Davitashvili (72' Lobjanidze), Mikautadze (46' Zivzivadze).
Fourth Match: Türkiye - Georgia (AA)
The first threat of the match came in the 2nd minute. Kerem Aktürkoğlu struck the ball delivered by Eren Elmalı from the left flank, but it went out of play along the sideline.
In the 14th minute, Türkiye took the lead. Kenan Yıldız received a long pass from Abdülkerim Bardakcı behind the defense and, without entering the penalty area, executed a chipped shot that went over goalkeeper Mamardashvili and into the net.
In the 22nd minute, the lead doubled. Merih Demiral rose at the near post to head home a corner kick delivered by Hakan Çalhanoğlu from the left corner. In the 33rd minute, Kenan Yıldız’s shot from a diagonal run into the penalty area following a pass from Arda Güler was saved by goalkeeper Mamardashvili into the corner.
In the 35th minute, Türkiye scored their third goal. After a low pass from Kenan Yıldız, İsmail Yüksek’s shot deflected off a defender and fell to Yunus Akgün, who fired it into the net. The first half ended with Türkiye leading 3-0.
Fourth Match: Türkiye - Georgia (AA)
In the 52nd minute, Türkiye scored again from a corner. Merih Demiral rose well in front of the goal to head home a cross from Hakan Çalhanoğlu on the left corner.
In the 64th minute, Georgia reduced the deficit. Kochorashvili met a backheel pass from Davitashvili inside the penalty area and fired a precise shot past goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır into the net. In the 81st minute, Georgia’s influential player Kvaratshkelia fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area, but the ball narrowly went over the crossbar.
No further goals were scored in the remaining time, and Türkiye won the match 4-1.
Fourth Match: Türkiye - Georgia (AA)
With this result, Türkiye reached nine points in the group and maintained its second-place position. Georgia remained on three points. Spain continued to lead the group with 12 points. Türkiye’s final two group matches will be against Bulgaria and Spain. At the end of the European qualifiers, the 12 group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the 12 second-placed teams and four teams from the UEFA Nations League will enter the playoffs.
With this match, Türkiye played its 645th match in the history of the national team and secured its sixth win against Georgia in their eighth meeting.
The Türkiye national football team and the Bulgaria national football team faced each other on 15 November 2025 at the Atatürk Sports Complex Matlı Stadium in Bursa, in a match of Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. Türkiye won the match 2-0. This encounter was the fifth match of the group stage and directly affected Türkiye’s position in the group standings. The match kicked off at 20:00 and was played as a high-risk category event with full attendance in the stands.
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The match was organized as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group E. The Turkish Football Federation classified the match as “High Risk / High Profile” and advised fans to arrive at the stadium early, announcing that gates would open at 17:00. The stadium’s capacity was announced as 43,361. Due to expected traffic congestion and road closures, public transportation was recommended. Security procedures including ticket checks, identity verification, and pat-down searches were detailed.
A moment of silence was observed in honor of the 20 soldiers who lost their lives in a plane crash near the Azerbaijan-Georgia border. The national team players entered the warm-up area carrying a banner reading “May Our Beloved Nation Be Safe and Sound.”
The stands were filled with intense fan support, with spectators arriving hours before kickoff. The match was attended jointly by the Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and the President of the Turkish Football Federation İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu.
Head coach Vincenzo Montella made three changes from the previous match against Georgia, replacing Eren Elmalı, Mert Müldür, and Yunus Akgün with Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Zeki Çelik, and Oğuz Aydın in the starting lineup.
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Mert Günok, Altay Bayındır, Çağlar Söyüncü, Salih Özcan, Orkun Kökçü, Barış Alper Yılmaz, Atakan Karazor, Samet Akaydın, Yusuf Sarı, Mert Müldür, Deniz Gül, Kaan Ayhan.
İrfan Can Kahveci, Muhammed Şengezer, Mustafa Eskihellaç, Aral Şimşir.
Kaan Ayhan, who came on in the second half, suffered an injury and was forced to leave the match. The exact minute of substitution was not specified.
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In the 12th minute, Türkiye launched an effective attack from the left flank. Kenan Yıldız dribbled past his defender and entered the penalty area before passing to Kerem Aktürkoğlu, whose shot from inside the six-yard box went out for a corner.
In the 13th minute, following a free kick won by Türkiye, Hakan Çalhanoğlu directed the ball directly toward goal; the ball rebounded off the wall and the referee awarded a penalty after determining handball. In the 18th minute, Hakan Çalhanoğlu converted the penalty to give Türkiye a 1-0 lead.
In the 14th minute, Kerem Aktürkoğlu received a pass from Hakan Çalhanoğlu at the edge of the penalty area and shot, but the goalkeeper Mitov deflected it onto the post.
The first half ended with Türkiye leading 1-0.
In the second half, substitute Kaan Ayhan suffered an injury and was forced off the pitch. Additionally, İsmail Yüksek received a yellow card, rendering him suspended for Türkiye’s next match against Spain. The exact minutes of these incidents were not specified.
In the 83rd minute, Türkiye extended their lead to 2-0 when Bulgarian defender Chernev scored an own goal. This goal proved to be the decisive second goal of the match.
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Spain and Türkiye faced each other in the sixth and final match of Group E in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers at the La Cartuja Stadium in Seville.
Spain – Türkiye match (AA)
Prior to the match, Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente stated that his team would field its strongest lineup and would not rotate players. He emphasized that their goal was direct qualification for the World Cup, aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 31 matches, and regarded the encounter as a high-level fixture. In response to questions regarding absences in the Turkish national team, he declined to comment on injuries, asserting that all players at his disposal were ready.
Spain Head Coach Luis de la Fuente (AA)
Türkiye National Team head coach Vincenzo Montella stressed that the match against Spain was not to be treated as a friendly and underscored its importance. He affirmed that his team aimed to win every match and needed to implement a balanced game plan. Regarding questions about players nearing suspension limits, he advised a cautious approach and explained that squad selections were determined pragmatically.
Türkiye National Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella (AA)
Prior to the match, it was noted that this was Türkiye’s 647th international fixture. Türkiye had previously secured only one victory over Spain, 71 years ago. With points earned from matches against Bulgaria and Georgia, Türkiye had placed second in the group. Montella’s match results were detailed, and it was noted that the Spain match was the 29th encounter between the two teams during this period.
Türkiye–Spain rivalry infographic (AA)
The match was played at the La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. It was attended by T.C. Madrid Ambassador Nüket Küçükel Ezberci, TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, Royal Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzán, and other officials from the protocol stand.
Spain–Türkiye match at La Cartuja Stadium (AA)
Unai Simon, Marcos Llorente, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella, Martin Merino (46’ Ferran Torres), Fabian Ruiz (83’ P. Fornals), Dani Olmo (74’ F. Lopez), Yeremi Pino (63’ A. Baena), Aleix Garcia, Mikel Oyarzabal (63’ S. Aghehowa).
Spain starting XI (AA)
Altay Bayındır, Zeki Çelik, Merih Demiral (83’ Kaan Ayhan), Çağlar Söyüncü, Samet Akaydın, Ferdi Kadıoğlu (78’ Can Keleş), Salih Özcan (78’ Atakan Karazor), Orkun Kökçü, İrfan Can Kahveci (69’ Yusuf Sarı), Barış Alper Yılmaz, Deniz Gül (69’ Oğuz Aydın).
Türkiye starting XI (AA)
The match began at the La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, with Spain applying pressure on Türkiye’s defense from the opening minutes through attacks down the left flank. In the 4th minute, Dani Olmo controlled a cross from Cucurella and fired a close-range shot to give Spain the opening goal. Following the goal, Spain maintained possession and continued their offensive pressure. In the 30th minute, Olmo’s powerful shot from inside the penalty area was saved by Altay Bayındır and cleared for a corner.
In the middle of the first half, Türkiye increased their passing to shift play into the opponent’s half. In the 34th minute, a ball won by Çağlar was passed to Deniz Gül, who then delivered it to Orkun Kökçü, whose shot was comfortably saved by Unai Simon. Türkiye equalized in the 42nd minute when, from a right-sided corner, Barış Alper delivered the ball and Deniz Gül finished it at the six-yard box to make it 1–1. This goal marked Spain’s first conceded in the group stage.
The first half ended in a 1–1 draw.
Spain – Türkiye match (AA)
Early in the second half, Türkiye responded to Spain’s attacks on their penalty area. In the 50th minute, İrfan Can Kahveci moved into the box following a pass from Orkun Kökçü but his shot was saved by Unai Simon. In the 53rd minute, Türkiye created a promising chance after a corner when Barış Alper attempted a volley, but Simon cleared it for another corner.
In the 54th minute, Türkiye took the lead. Ferdi Kadıoğlu delivered a cross from the left flank, which Orkun Kökçü chested down to Salih Özcan. Özcan then struck a shot from outside the penalty area to make it 2–1. After the goal, Spain intensified their offensive efforts. In the 62nd minute, a scramble occurred from a Cucurella cross. Although Merih Demiral intervened on the goal line, the rebound fell to Oyarzabal, who equalized for Spain to make it 2–2.
In the closing stages, Türkiye created several shot opportunities through Barış Alper. In the 90+2nd minute, Baena’s long-range effort was saved by Altay Bayındır and cleared for a corner. The match ended 2–2, with Türkiye finishing second in the group and advancing to the play-off stage.
Spain – Türkiye match (AA)
Following the match, the final standings in Group E were confirmed. Spain finished as group leaders, while Türkiye secured second place and advanced to the play-off stage. Bulgaria and Georgia finished at the bottom of the group after their matches. The updated standings based on match results are shown below.
In the first match of Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, Türkiye faced Georgia in Tbilisi on 4 September 2025 and secured a 3-2 away victory. Türkiye’s goals were scored by Mert Müldür in the 3rd minute and Kerem Aktürkoğlu in the 41st and 52nd minutes. Georgia responded with goals from Zuriko Davitashvili in the 63rd minute and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 90+8th minute. Türkiye finished the first half 2-0 ahead and extended their lead to 3-0 in the second half before defending their advantage. Barış Alper Yılmaz, who came on in the 66th minute, was sent off with a direct red card following a VAR review in the 71st minute; at the same minute, Georgia’s head coach Willy Sagnol was also shown a red card and dismissed to the stands due to protests. The match was attended by the President of Georgia, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Türkiye’s Minister of Youth and Sports, and the President of the Turkish Football Federation from the stands. With this result, Türkiye began the group with three points and ranked second in the group on goal difference, behind Spain. On the same day, Spain defeated Bulgaria 3-0 away to top the group on goal difference. Georgia and Bulgaria both finished the first matchday without points. In this format, the group winner qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup, while the second-placed team enters the play-off stage. Türkiye will play their next match on 7 September 2025 in Konya against Spain.
In the second match of Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, Türkiye hosted Spain, the reigning European champions, in Konya and suffered a 6-0 home defeat. Türkiye started the match with intent and created a chance in the 2nd minute through Hakan Çalhanoğlu, but Spain soon took control of the game and won with goals from Pedri in the 6th and 62nd minutes, Merino in the 22nd, 45+1st and 57th minutes, and Ferran Torres in the 53rd minute. Türkiye trailed 3-0 at halftime and failed to improve their defensive shortcomings in the second half. Despite strong support from a full stadium of Turkish fans, Spain maintained their dominant performance and extended their lead at the top of the group on goal difference. As a result, Türkiye remained on three points and dropped to third place in the group after losing their second match following their win against Georgia.
In the fourth match of Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, Türkiye defeated Georgia 4-1 at the Kocaeli Stadium. Goals for the Türkiye national team were scored by Kenan Yıldız in the 14th minute, Merih Demiral in the 22nd and 52nd minutes, and Yunus Akgün in the 35th minute. Georgia’s only goal came from Kochorashvili in the 64th minute. The match, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from the protocol stand, was witnessed by 27,974 fans who strongly supported the national team. With this result, Türkiye increased their points total to nine and maintained their second-place position in the group.
Türkiye defeated Bulgaria 2-0 at the Atatürk Sports Complex Matlı Stadium in Bursa in a match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group E. The goals were scored by Hakan Çalhanoğlu from a penalty in the 18th minute and a own goal by Chernev in the 83rd minute. With this result, Türkiye raised their points total to twelve, while Bulgaria remained without points.
In the final match of Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, Türkiye and Spain met in Seville. The home team took the lead in the 4th minute through a goal by Dani Olmo. Türkiye equalized in the 42nd minute following a corner routine completed by Deniz Gül. In the second half, Türkiye went ahead 2-1 in the 54th minute with a shot from Salih Özcan beyond the penalty area. Spain leveled the score at 2-2 in the 62nd minute with a goal by Oyarzabal. In the remaining time, both teams created scoring opportunities but neither could find a winner, and the match ended 2-2.
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September 5, 2025
Group Matches
September 5, 2025
First Match: Georgia 2-3 Türkiye
September 7, 2025
Second Match: Türkiye 0–6 Spain
October 13, 2025
Third Match: Bulgaria 1 - 6 Türkiye
October 14, 2025
Fourth Match: Türkiye 4-1 Georgia
November 15, 2025
Fifth Match: Türkiye 2-0 Bulgaria
November 18, 2025
Sixth Match: Spain 2–2 Türkiye