Türkiye is set to make its return to League A of the UEFA Nations League with a challenging opener against France on Friday at Kocaeli Stadium. This marks Türkiye’s first appearance in League A since the competition began in 2018, and they face a formidable opponent in France, now under the leadership of new head coach Zinedine Zidane.
The match serves as a fresh start for both teams. Türkiye is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, while France is embarking on a new journey following the departure of long-time head coach Didier Deschamps. Historically, Türkiye has struggled against France, securing only one win in their last six encounters, a 2-0 victory during a European Championship qualifier in 2019.
For Türkiye, the lineup may see some changes as midfielder Orkun Kökçü is doubtful for the match due to a toe injury, and several players are set to make their senior debuts. Meanwhile, France’s squad boasts the talent of captain Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Désiré Doué. However, Mbappé missed a training session because of flu-like symptoms, and France is also dealing with other fitness concerns within the team.
Both teams are part of Group A1, which also includes Italy and Belgium. After the match against France, Türkiye will play against Italy at home on September 28, followed by away games in Belgium and Italy in October.