Venue: Gursel Aksel Stadium
Local Kick-off time: Nov 12, 2026 8:00pm
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶
Click here to watch the match LIVE now! 🔴 ▶
Turkey
Form & Tactical Outlook
Turkey are beginning a new era under former international midfielder Sergen Yalcin, who was appointed head coach last month following the dismissal of Vincenzo Montella after three years in charge. Ranked 31st in the world by FIFA, Turkey’s fate is all but sealed and they cannot qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.Turkey have a slim chance of avoiding direct relegation from League A, needing points from their final two matches to edge out Serbia and Czechia as one of the two best fourth-placed teams across League A. To avoid finishing bottom of the group, Turkey must beat Belgium by at least four goals on Thursday to overtake them on head-to-head tiebreaker, win against France on matchday six, and hope Belgium drop points against Italy. Prior to two Nations League home losses this term, Turkey had won four consecutive home matches. They are unbeaten in three meetings with Belgium on home turf, winning 3-2 in their most recent home encounter in a Euro 2012 qualifier.
Team News
Kenan Yildiz remains unavailable as he requires further treatment for a metatarsal fracture at Juventus. Kerem Akturkoglu, Irfan Kahveci, Samet Akaydin, and Altay Bayindir were left out of the squad after being called up last month. Centre-back Abdulkerim Bardakci is suspended for the clash with Belgium. Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Ozan Kabak, Salih Ozcan, and Can Yilmaz Uzun are all one booking away from a ban. Arda Guler scored and assisted in Real Madrid's La Liga win over Valencia last weekend and is expected to start in an advanced central role. Hakan Calhanoglu (108 caps) will surpass Tuncay (22 goals) to become Turkey's third-highest goalscorer if he scores on Thursday.
Belgium
Form & Tactical Outlook
Belgium sit third in the group, playing catch up behind France and Italy. They sit one point behind Italy and four points behind leaders France. A defeat against Turkey alongside an Italy win over France would end Belgium's hopes of securing a top-two finish. A win for Belgium ensures the group is decided on the final matchday. This season, they have won two and lost two of their opening four matches in League A. The September/October international break marked the first matches under new head coach Mark van Bommel, who saw "beautiful things" despite a 4-1 loss to France on matchday four. Ranked eighth in the world by FIFA, Belgium previously defeated Turkey 3-0 at home and Italy 2-0 away in the Nations League. Belgium have lost only one of their last six encounters with Turkey across all competitions and aim to avoid consecutive international defeats for the first time since March 2025.
Team News
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois continues to take a break from international duty. AC Milan defender Koni De Winter refused a call-up due to unhappiness over his lack of game time last month. 20-year-old Josue Kongolo (Genk) earned his first senior call-up and will compete with Arthur Theate, Brandon Mechele, and Nathan Ngoy for a central defensive spot. Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia is suspended for the match. Lukaku, Ngoy, Joaquin Seys, Nicolas Raskin, and Dodi Lukebakio are all one yellow card away from a ban. De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans return after serving suspensions on matchday four last month. Jeremy Doku returns to the squad and is likely to start after missing the previous international window through injury.
