Turkiye to host France in UEFA Nations League opener at Yildiz Entegre Kocaeli Stadyumu on September 25
Turkiye will host France in the opening match of their UEFA Nations League 2026-27 campaign at the Yildiz Entegre Kocaeli Stadyumu on September 25, a fixture that pits Vincenzo Montella’s side against the newly appointed Zinedine Zidane. The game is the first Nations League outing for both teams in the 2026-27 cycle.
Turkiye arrive having failed to progress beyond the group stage at the FIFA World Cup 2026, losing their first two matches and leaving their qualification dependent on other results, a campaign described in the preview as underwhelming by their standards. They are drawn in a Nations League group alongside France, Italy and Belgium and will play the opener at home. France have undergone a managerial change, with Zinédine Zidane named head coach; the preview notes players appeared happy with the new coach during recent training and records that France finished fourth in the World Cup and "have also not looked very comfortable in Europe in recent years. This managerial shift might help them out."
Turkey’s candidate squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against France, Italy and Belgium has been announced, and the preview states "All of the selected squad members are fit and ready to be in action for Turkiye." The original announcement included the Turkish-language line: "A Millî Takımımızın UEFA Uluslar A Ligi’nde Fransa, İtalya ve Belçika ile oynayacağı karşılaşmaların aday kadrosu açıklandı. 🇹🇷 #BizimÇocuklar | #UNL pic.twitter.com/iHpyH0UES8"
On France’s squad, the preview reports that Maghnes Akliouche has replaced the injured Warren Zaire-Emery and that Zidane revealed his first squad as head coach, with five players receiving their first senior call-ups: Restes, Diouf, Jacquet, Da Cunha and Lepaul. The preview also includes the note from the squad announcement that "The international break starts next week, with four Nations League matches to come! pic.twitter.com/dmnUJ2scdm."
The article singles out individual players: it states "The Real Madrid star has undoubtedly been in top form since the start of the 2026-27 campaign. He is very capable in the middle of the park and can score goals as well." It also says "Arda Guler is very good with the ball at his feet and can also be a threat to the opponent’s defence. He can be deployed on the wing and even in the attacking midfield position." On Michael Olise the preview reports he "has been performing really well for Bayern Munich and was one of the top stars for the France national football team during the FIFA World Cup 2026 based on his performance. He also broke Pelé’s assist record for the most assists provided in a single edition of the tournament. Olise will keep the Turkiye defence on edge at all times."
The lineups provided in the preview are listed as follows: Turkiye — Cakir (GK); Akaydin, Kadioglu, Demiral; Celik, Elmaz, Yuksek, Elmah; Guler, Uzun; Gul. France — Maignan (GK); Kounde, Upamecano, Konate, Truffert; Camavinga, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.
Broadcast arrangements cited in the preview list viewing options by territory: India — Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV; UK — Prime Video UK, S4C; Turkiye — S Sport TV, ATV; France — la chaine L’Équipe, TF1+; USA — FOX Sports, FuboTV, ViX. The preview also notes that Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV can be used to view all the matches live.
The international break is set to begin next week, with four Nations League fixtures scheduled during it, and Turkiye’s home meeting with France on September 25 at the Yildiz Entegre Kocaeli Stadyumu is the first of those Nations League matches mentioned in the preview.
