Match Overview
This fifth-round World Cup 2026 qualifying match between the national teams of Georgia and Turkey is set to take place on September 4th at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. Here’s a comprehensive preview with predictions, odds, and statistics for the Georgia vs. Turkey encounter.
Georgia Team Analysis
Georgia’s Qualification Journey
For Georgia, this World Cup qualifying campaign is just getting underway. In the previous qualification cycle, the team managed only seven points, finishing fourth in their group. Despite that, the national side has shown recent improvement, securing victories in their last two World Cup qualifiers, breaking an 18-match winless streak (6 draws, 12 losses). It’s worth noting that Georgia has never historically qualified for a World Cup.
- Georgia has failed to win in regulation time in 11 of their last 12 home World Cup qualifiers (3 draws, 8 losses).
- Fewer than three goals were scored in 6 of their last 8 home matches in these qualifiers.
- The Georgians have scored more than one goal in regulation time in only 1 of their last 13 home World Cup qualifiers.
Georgia’s Probable Lineup (4-4-2)
Expected Starting XI
Giorgi Mamardashvili – Giorgi Gocholeishvili, Saba Goglichidze, Guram Kashia, Otar Kiteishvili – Otar Kakabadze, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Giorgi Kochorashvili, Giorgi Tsitaishvili – Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mikautadze.
Turkey Team Analysis
Turkey’s Form and Qualification History
Turkey, similarly, is yet to play a match in the current World Cup qualifiers. In the previous qualification campaign, they narrowly missed out on the main tournament, finishing second in their group, just two points behind the Netherlands. However, their playoff journey ended with a 1-3 loss to Portugal, preventing their World Cup appearance. In World Cup qualifiers, the team has lost only 2 of their last 12 matches (6 wins, 4 draws). Turkey’s last World Cup participation was in 2002.
- Turkey has remained undefeated in regulation time in 5 of their last 7 away World Cup qualifiers (4 wins, 1 draw).
- At least three goals were scored in 7 of their previous away matches in these qualifiers.
- The Turks have scored at least two goals in regulation time in 5 of their last 7 away World Cup qualification matches.
Turkey’s Probable Lineup (4-5-1)
Expected Starting XI
Uğurcan Çakır – Evren Elmali, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Samet Akaydın, Mert Müldür – Oğuz Aydın, İsmail Yüksek, Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız – Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
Referee Profile
Match Official
Davide Massa (Italy)
Matches Officiated
16 (International fixtures, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow Cards Shown
45 (including second yellows);
Average Yellow Cards Per Match
2.8;
Red Cards Shown
2;
Average Fouls Per Match
19;
Penalties Awarded
25%.
Match Prediction: Georgia vs. Turkey
Georgia’s Home Performance
Playing on home soil, Georgia rarely achieves dominant results, yet the team consistently demonstrates an active attacking approach and frequently finds the net. In their last nine home World Cup qualifiers, Georgia failed to score in only three instances, managing to net goals against formidable opponents such as Spain, Sweden, Austria, and Serbia within this period. Conversely, the Georgians have conceded in 9 of their last 10 home World Cup qualification matches.
Turkey’s Away Attacking Prowess
Even on the road, Turkey favors an aggressive, attacking style of play and rarely struggles with goal-scoring. In their last seven away World Cup qualifiers, the team has consistently found the back of the net in every single match. Furthermore, the Turks scored at least twice in five of those encounters. However, defensively, the national team has only managed to keep two clean sheets in their last 11 away World Cup qualification games.
Final Prediction
I anticipate both teams to score in this match. My prediction is: “Both Teams to Score – Yes” with odds of 1.63.
Mark Thompson