Get the latest Turkey vs France prediction, betting tips, lineups, and odds ahead of this UEFA Nations League clash. Find top bet builder insights.
Turkey vs France Match Summary
Competition | UEFA Nations League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Friday 25 September 2026 |
Match Time | 19:45 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Kocaeli, Turka Arac Muayene Kocaeli Stadyumu |
France head to Kocaeli for a Friday-night opener in the UEFA Nations League, and it marks the first competitive test of Zinedine Zidane's reign after he replaced Didier Deschamps this summer.
Turkey arrive here on their debut in the top tier of the competition, earning their place in League A after a group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup left another promising summer without reward.
France reached the World Cup semi-finals before finishing fourth, losing that last-four tie and then the third-place play-off. Zidane inherits a squad still overflowing with attacking talent for our Turkey vs France prediction.
Across their six previous meetings, France hold the edge with three wins to Turkey's one, with two draws. The bookmakers make Les Bleus firm favourites to continue that pattern.
Turkey vs France Form
Turkey watched another promising tournament slip by this summer, with defeats to Australia and Paraguay ending their World Cup before a dead-rubber win over the USA. Before that struggle, the hosts had won four straight games. Arda Güler and Can Uzun carry the attacking threat for Vincenzo Montella's side.
France left North America empty-handed, beaten by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals before a wild 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place match. That says plenty about their firepower, if not their defending. Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise headline Zidane's attack for his first game in charge.
Turkey vs France Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Turkey: Hakan Çalhanoglu (Injured/out), Kenan Yildiz (Injured/out), Mert Müldür (Injured/out), Orkun Kökçü (Injured/out), Deniz Gül (Injured/doubtful), Yunus Akgün (Injured/doubtful)
France: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Injured/out), Theo Hernández (Injured/out), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Injured/out), William Saliba (Injured/out)
Turkey
The hosts are badly stretched, missing several key men including Hakan Çalhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz, while Deniz Gül and Yunus Akgün are both doubtful. That leaves Arda Güler and Can Uzun as the main men in attack for Vincenzo Montella's side.
France
France are without attacking duo Hugo Ekitike and Jean-Philippe Mateta for the trip, along with William Saliba at the back. Even so, Zinedine Zidane can lean on his attacking firepower, and is expected to start Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise.
Turkey vs France Predicted Lineup
Turkey
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Çakir; Çelik, Kabak, Bardakci, Elmali; Yüksek, Özcan; Uzun, Güler, Aktürkoglu; Yilmaz
France
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, Diouf; Rabiot, Camavinga; Olise, Cherki, Doué; Mbappé
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Turkey vs France Key Stats & Match Facts
This is the opening match in Group 1 of League A, a group that also features Italy and Belgium.
It marks Turkey's debut appearance in League A after earning promotion to the competition's top tier.
France won just one of their six previous meetings with Turkey, alongside three victories and two draws.
Zinedine Zidane takes charge of France for the first time, 32 years on from his senior international playing debut in 1994.
Didier Deschamps stepped down in July 2026 after a 14-year tenure that began in 2012.
Turkey vs France Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: France are strong favourites at 4/11 with Bet365 and look far too well-stocked in attack for a depleted Turkey side. Even so, the hosts carry a threat through Güler and Uzun, and with question marks over both defences, this has the makings of an open, high-scoring evening in Kocaeli. We fancy a comfortable France win in a game with goals at both ends. Turkey are as big as 17/2 with AK Bets.
Best Bets
Back Both Teams To Score in Friday's UEFA Nations League encounter in Kocaeli. France carry elite firepower through Mbappé and Olise, while Turkey remain dangerous at home via Güler and Uzun. With notable defensive and midfield absences on both sides, from Saliba to Çalhanoglu, both teams look well placed to find the net.
Back Over 3.5 Goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. With France set up to attack under Zidane and Turkey playing a front-foot game in front of their own crowd, this shapes up as an open, high-scoring contest more than capable of clearing the 3.5-goal line.
Turkey vs France Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder backs France to win, Kylian Mbappé to score anytime, both teams to score and Ismail Yüksek to be shown a card in a lively night in Kocaeli.
France to win is the anchor. Priced up as strong favourites, a well-stocked attacking unit should have far too much for a Turkey side shorn of several key men.
Mbappé anytime goalscorer is the natural next step. He leads the line for Les Bleus and remains their central attacking threat, so he is the obvious man to get on the scoresheet.
Both teams to score fits the theme perfectly. Turkey stay dangerous through Güler and Uzun at home, and with both defences carrying absences, goals at each end look likely.
Yüksek to be shown a card completes it. Sitting in the engine room as a defensive midfielder, he is often the man tasked with breaking up French attacks, making a booking a live possibility.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 8.67/1 and is as short as 15/2 elsewhere.
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Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Turkey vs France Talking Points
Zidane has been quick to talk Turkey up, calling them "a very good team" whose first-round World Cup exit came as a surprise, and warning that "they will cause us problems". He singled out Arda Güler as a "very great player" with plenty of personality. Adrien Rabiot, meanwhile, says the French squad know all about the intense Turkish football culture and the vibrant support waiting for them at the stadium. For all France's firepower, this looks the ideal spot to back both teams to score in a raucous Kocaeli, and you can find the best Turkey vs France betting odds across the market before kick-off.
Turkey vs France Predictions FAQs
When is the Turkey vs France UEFA Nations League game?
The match takes place on Friday 25 September 2026 at 19:45 UK time.
Where is Turkey vs France being played?
The match is being played at Turka Arac Muayene Kocaeli Stadyumu in Kocaeli.
What competition is Turkey vs France in?
Turkey vs France is taking place in the UEFA Nations League.
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