Turkiye vs Spain – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Turkiye face Spain in their second fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Sunday, after both teams won their opening matches earlier on Thursday.

Turkiye vs Spain – Match preview and team news

Turkiye team news

Vincenzo Montella’s side will be buoyed by their dramatic opening 3-2 victory over Georgia, despite receiving four yellow cards and a red card, illustrating the physical nature of their performance. The Italian coach, who extended his contract until 2028 in August, has a largely healthy squad from which to choose.

Captain Hakan Calhanoglu is coming off his impressive UEFA Nations League displays and remains the creative heartbeat of this Turkey team. The Inter Milan midfielder will be crucial in dictating the tempo against Spain’s possession-heavy approach. Young stars Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz will look to build on their promising starts to the campaign.

Merih Demiral and Abdulkerim Bardakci are expected to form the central defensive partnership, with the experienced Demiral bringing vital leadership to the backline. Ferdi Kadioglu and Zeki Celik should occupy the full-back positions, offering pace and attacking threat down the flanks.

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Spain team news

Luis de la Fuente is sweating over the fitness of electrifying Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, who drew all eyes with a dazzling assist against Bulgaria before making an early exit while clutching his back. The teen star has sat out training as a precaution, fueling concern among fans and pundits, but the manager is optimistic, reassuring everyone that Yamal should be fit for the high-stakes showdown with Turkey on Sunday. This dynamic winger, described by De la Fuente as “touched by God’s wand”, is expected to be raring to go, despite his fitness concern.

In midfield, Spain has suffered a setback as Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz has officially withdrawn from the squad after picking up a muscle injury in his left leg. With Ruiz sidelined, Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Barcelona’s Pedri are in line to join the returning Rodri, while Mikel Merino — fresh from his goal against Bulgaria — could stake a claim for a starting role.

Spain’s squad has further been thinned out by the absence of Gavi, who’s battling a knee issue and wasn’t called up for this international window.

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Form

Turkiye: WWWLW

Turkiye’s only defeat in their last five matches came against Mexico in a friendly in June.

They have started the qualifying campaign in a winning fashion after defeating Georgia 3-2, and now they will look to hold their ground and use home advantage to defeat the reigning European champions.

Spain: DWWLW

Spain have also suffered only one defeat in their last five outings, losing on penalties to Portugal was in the UEFA Nations League final. They started their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Predicted lineups

Turkey: Cakir; Muldur, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali; Calhanoglu, Yuksek; Akgun, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu.

Spain: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, N Williams.

How to watch Turkiye vs Spain?

UK fans can watch the match on Amazon Prime Video PPV.

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