Luis de la Fuente’s Spain will be looking to make it consecutive wins in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers when they hit the road to face Turkiye.
Having started the World Cup qualifiers with a win, Turkiye will be looking to build on it when they host European champions, Spain. Both teams started the qualification campaign in the best possible fashion, and they will be eager to take a decisive step towards making it to the finals when they square off against each other on Saturday night.
The home team squared up against Georgia in Matchday 1 for Group E. Despite not dominating the proceedings, Turkiye established a 3-0 lead quite early in the second half. However, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s team did test them right until the final whistle.
Turkiye somehow managed to hold onto the lead, and the game finished 3-2 in their favour. While their attacking display was on point, they will have to do a lot better in defence and off the ball to stand a chance against Spain.
The visitors started their qualifying campaign with a dominant display against Bulgaria. They dominated the proceedings, created a lot of chances and ended up winning 3-0. They were rock solid at the back and didn’t even allow the opposition to take a single shot on target.
Spain will certainly be confident of getting the job done against Turkiye, but playing them away from home won’t be that straightforward. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Turkiye
The home team will be without the services of Baris Alper Yilmaz, who was sent off in their game against Georgia. Turkiye have not reported any fresh injuries, which means it could be the same XI that started in their win last time out.
Against Spain, Turkiye will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Ugurcan Cakır will be in goal. Mert Muldur and Eren Elmali will be the full-backs for the home team, while Merih Demiral will partner with Abdulkerim Bardakci at the heart of the defence.
Ismail Yuksek and Hakan Calhanoglu will form the double pivot in midfield. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure they do not allow Spain to dominate the ball too deep in their half.
Real Madrid sensation Arda Guler will feature in the number ten, while Kenan Yildiz and Yunus Akgun will provide much-needed width from the flanks. Having bagged a brace last time out, Kerem Akturkoglu is certain to be starting down the middle.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali; Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Akgun, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu
Spain
While Lamine Yamal reported a back injury during the game against Bulgaria and was subbed off, he is expected to be back fit in time for this outing. Just like Turkiye, Spain could also stick with the same XI that started in their last outing. Luis de la Fuente’s team will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Unai Simon will be in goal.
Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella should feature as the full-backs, while Robin Le Normand should continue to partner Dean Huijsen at the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Mikel Merino will continue alongside Pedri and Martin Zubimendi. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game and ensure they dominate the ball. Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks, while Mikel Oyarzabal will be leading the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Nico Williams
Key Stats
- Turkiye have not made it to the World Cup finals since 2002, when they secured a third-place finish.
- The home team only have two wins against La Roja, with the last win coming way back in 1967.
- Spain have won each of their last three games against Turkiye, the most recent win came at Euro 2016.
- Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Spain have not been able to make it beyond the round of 16 at the global event.
- Both teams have only suffered one defeat in their last five outings across competitions.
Player to Watch
Nico Williams
Nico Williams’s future was one of the biggest talking points in the initial phase of the transfer window. While he looked set for a move to Barcelona, the 23-year-old eventually decided to stay put. He ended up signing a decade-long deal at Athletic Club.
The transfer saga has hardly had any effect on the young winger as he managed to carry his form into the new season. He has contributed towards three goals in his first three league fixtures, and Luis de la Fuente will be hoping he can produce similar performances at the international stage. Having failed to find the back of the net against Bulgaria, Williams will be eager to get on the scoresheet here.
Prediction
Turkiye 1-3 Spain
Spain will head into this encounter as the clear favourites, given their dominant display against Bulgaria in the opener. With Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Nico Williams in fine form, Luis de la Fuente’s men should have little trouble controlling possession and creating chances.
That said, playing away in Turkiye is never an easy task, and the hosts have enough firepower in Arda Guler and Kerem Akturkoglu to test Spain’s backline. However, with their defensive lapses on show against Georgia, it is hard to see them containing this Spanish attack for 90 minutes. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the away team.