Turkey v Spain: Line-ups, stats and preview

Turkey v Spain match preview

Turkey and Spain started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns with wins on Thursday but Vincenzo Montella’s side had the trickier evening, holding off a second-half comeback by Georgia to win 3-2 in Tbilisi.

Mert Muldur’s opener and goals either side of half-time by Kerem Akturkoglu gave the visitors a 3-0 lead, scoring with all of their attempts on target and overcoming Barıs Alper Yilmaz’s dismissal three minutes after coming on for a challenge on Giorgi Kochorashvili.

“We really missed him in the final stages,” Montella said of Yilmaz. “Generally, we are improving our team step by step.

“We have a very hard-working group. We’ve analysed 15 videos in the last three days. The players work tirelessly… they’re incredibly hardworking and do whatever it takes on the pitch.

“Playing against Spain is an additional incentive for us, against the European champions at home.”

La Roja won 3-0 in Bulgaria through goals inside the first 38 minutes, including an eye-catching arrowed finish from Marc Cucurella from inside the box for their second.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino were also on target for a nation who have perenially reached the finals since 1978.

“The first game is always tough, playing away,” said Chelsea’s Cucurella, speaking to UEFA. “Now on Sunday we have another big game.

“Maybe in the second half we were a little more relaxed. We didn’t move the ball quickly and we were a little over-confident.”

Turkey v Spain team news

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz (muscle) and new Crystal Palace winger Yeremy Pino (ankle) withdrew from Spain’s squad before the win over Bulgaria.

Rayo Vallecano’s Jorge de Frutos has replaced Pino, while Leverkusen’s Aleix Garcia came in for Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who misses out through a knee issue.

19-year-old Como wideman Jesus Rodriguez made his senior Spain debut on Thursday as a late replacement for Lamine Yamal.

Galatasaray winger Yilmaz is suspended for Turkey, who are hoping to enhance a record of four wins and one defeat in seven competitive matches at Konyaspor’s Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium.

Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler set up Muldur’s goal and Montella has suggested the 20-year-old will switch positions during the game, as he does for his club.

Turkey v Spain predicted lineups

Turkey starting XI: Ugurcan Cakir, Mert Muldur, Merih Demiral, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Eren Elmali, Ismail Yuksek, Hakan Calhanoglu, Yunus Akgun, Arda Guler, Kenan Yildız, Kerem Akturkoglu

Spain starting XI: Unai Simon, Marc Cucurella, Dean Huijsen, Robin Le Normand, Pedro Porro, Mikel Merino, Marin Zubimendi, Pedri, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal

Is Spain v Turkey on TV? TV channel, online live stream

Kick-off on Sunday is at 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live coverage on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view, which charges £2.49 for the game.

Turkey v Spain stats

Turkey v Spain prediction

Turkey’s only competitive home defeat in almost three-and-a-half years has been a 2-0 loss to Croatia in March 2023, but they have rarely faced opposition during that run of the calibre of Spain, who are unbeaten over 90 minutes in 26 competitive matches.

Spain can be backed to win 1-0 at attractive odds, with a 2-0 scoreline also widely available at the same price.