Türkiye is set to face a formidable challenge as it kicks off its UEFA Nations League campaign against France on Friday at the Kocaeli Stadium. This match marks Türkiye’s return to League A, a division they have not competed in since the competition’s inception in 2018. Facing them is a France team embarking on a new chapter under the leadership of head coach Zinedine Zidane, following Didier Deschamps’ departure.
As Türkiye aims to bounce back from a lackluster 2026 World Cup performance, they prepare for a tough test against a team they have historically struggled against. Out of six previous encounters with France, Türkiye has managed only one victory, a 2-0 win during the 2019 European Championship qualifiers, alongside one draw and four losses.
Midfielder Orkun Kökçü’s participation remains uncertain due to a toe injury that kept him out of recent training sessions. Türkiye will also feature several newcomers who are experiencing their first senior international call-ups, adding an element of unpredictability to their lineup.
For France, the squad will be led by captain Kylian Mbappé, who recently missed a training session due to flu-like symptoms. Joining him are notable players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. Despite some fitness concerns, France is expected to field a strong team in their Nations League opener.
Both Türkiye and France are part of Group A1, which also includes Italy and Belgium. Following their clash with France, Türkiye is scheduled to play against Italy at home on September 28, before traveling to face Belgium and Italy in October. This sequence of matches will be crucial for Türkiye as they aim to establish themselves in the top tier of European football.