Konya, September 7, 2025 – The Turkish National Football Team is preparing for one of its most significant challenges in recent years as they host Spain in a Group E clash of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. The match will take place at MEDAŞ Konya Büyükşehir Stadium and kicks off at 21:45 local time.
Match Officials
The encounter will be overseen by Michael Oliver from England, assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. The fourth official is Chris Kavanagh.
Group Standings Before Matchday 2
Turkey opened their qualifying campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Georgia away from home. Spain, meanwhile, dominated Bulgaria 3-0 in Sofia. Ahead of this fixture, Spain top the group on goal difference, with Turkey close behind in second place. Georgia and Bulgaria remain pointless.
In the group’s other fixture, Georgia will face Bulgaria in Tbilisi this afternoon.
Probable Lineups
Turkey (Coach: Vincenzo Montella):
Uğurcan Çakır – Mert Müldür, Merih Demiral, Abdülkerim Bardakçı, Eren Elmalı – İsmail Yüksek, Hakan Çalhanoğlu – Yunus Akgün, Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız – Kerem Aktürkoğlu
Spain (Coach: Luis de la Fuente):
Unai Simón – Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Pedro Porro, Marc Cucurella – Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi – Nico Williams, Pedri, Lamine Yamal – Mikel Oyarzabal
Stadium: MEDAŞ Konya Büyükşehir Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Kick-off: 21:45 (TRT local time)
Broadcast: TV8
Team News
- Turkey: Barış Alper Yılmaz is suspended following a red card against Georgia.
- Spain: Gavi and Yeremy Pino are unavailable due to injuries.
Spain: The Defending European Champions
Spain enters this match as the reigning UEFA Euro 2024 champions, having beaten England 2-1 in last year’s final in Germany. With young stars like Lamine Yamal and Pedri alongside experienced players such as Unai Simón and Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain looks determined to secure another major tournament spot.
Turkey: Rising With Young Talent
Turkey reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, losing narrowly to the Netherlands. Under coach Vincenzo Montella, the national team continues to blend experienced leaders like Hakan Çalhanoğlu with young talents Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız. With the home crowd in Konya behind them, Turkey aims to upset the group leaders and strengthen their chances of topping Group E.
Historical Rivalry: 9 Years Later, Turkey and Spain Meet Again
This match marks the first meeting in nine years between Turkey and Spain. The two nations have faced each other 11 times in history, with Spain holding the upper hand:
- Spain wins: 6
- Turkey wins: 1
- Draws: 4
Turkey has scored 5 goals in these encounters, while conceding 17 goals.
The last meeting came during Euro 2016 in France, where Spain comfortably won 3-0 with goals from Álvaro Morata (2) and Nolito.
A Historic Twist: Turkey Eliminated Spain by Draw Lots in 1954
One of the most unusual stories in football history connects these two teams. During the qualifiers for the 1954 FIFA World Cup, Turkey and Spain were tied after two legs (Spain won 4-1 in Madrid, Turkey won 1-0 in Istanbul). A playoff in Rome ended 2-2, leaving the qualification to be decided by a draw.
An Italian boy named Luigi Franco Gemma drew Turkey’s name, sending the Crescent-Stars to their first-ever World Cup at Spain’s expense.
What’s at Stake in Group E
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams. Europe has 16 qualification spots:
- The 12 group winners qualify directly.
- The 12 runners-up enter playoffs with 4 Nations League teams for the last four spots.
For Turkey, defeating Spain could provide a major boost toward securing direct qualification and avoiding the playoff route.
