Türkiye is set to make its return to League A in the UEFA Nations League with a challenging opener against France on Friday at Kocaeli Stadium. This match marks Türkiye’s first appearance in the top tier of the competition since it was launched in 2018. The team, led by new coach Vincenzo Montella, aims to bounce back after a lackluster 2026 World Cup campaign.
Facing them is a French side entering a new era under the guidance of head coach Zinedine Zidane, who takes over following Didier Deschamps’ departure. Historically, Türkiye has struggled against France, securing only one win in six previous encounters, a memorable 2-0 victory during the European Championship qualifiers in 2019.
The Turkish team faces some lineup uncertainties, with midfielder Orkun Kökçü’s participation in doubt due to a toe injury that has kept him out of training. Additionally, several players are expected to make their senior international debuts. Meanwhile, France’s squad features prominent names such as captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. However, Mbappé’s availability is in question after he missed training due to flu-like symptoms, and the French team also has other players dealing with fitness issues.
Alongside Türkiye and France, Group A1 includes football powerhouses Italy and Belgium. After their clash with France, Türkiye is scheduled to host Italy on September 28, followed by away matches against Belgium and Italy in October.