Match Preview: Turkey vs Spain

The highly anticipated match of the 6th round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, featuring the national teams of Turkey and Spain, is scheduled for September 7 at the Konya Büyükşehir Belediye Stadium. This encounter promises an intriguing battle, with detailed predictions, betting odds, and comprehensive statistics analyzed below.

Turkey’s Current Form

In their last qualifier, Vincenzo Montella’s squad secured a 3-2 away victory against Georgia, despite managing only three shots on target. This win marked Turkey’s fourth in their last five World Cup qualifying matches. It’s also worth noting that the team has kept a clean sheet in only one of their previous seven European qualifiers, specifically against Gibraltar. Currently, Turkey sits second in the group with three points, trailing Spain on goal difference.

• The national team has avoided defeat in regular time in 9 out of their last 10 World Cup qualifying matches (5 wins, 4 draws).
• At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 5 out of the team’s last 6 home matches in European qualifiers.
• Turkey has scored at least two goals in regular time in 7 out of their last 10 home World Cup qualifying games.

Turkey’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-5-1)*

Uğurcan Çakır – Evren Elmali, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Merih Demiral, Mert Müldür – Yunus Akgün, İsmail Yüksek, Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız – Kerem Aktürkoğlu.

Forward Barış Yılmaz will miss the match due to suspension.

Spain’s Road to Qualification

Luis de la Fuente’s side faced no issues in their opening European qualifier, comfortably beating Bulgaria 3-0 away from home, with all three goals coming in the first half. This victory extended Spain’s winning streak in World Cup qualifiers to five matches, with the team keeping a clean sheet in each of them. Furthermore, Spain has now scored in 42 consecutive World Cup qualifying games. With three points, the Spaniards lead their group.

• The team has won in regular time in 8 out of their last 9 away matches in World Cup qualifiers.
• The national team has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 10 out of their last 12 away European qualifiers.
• Spain has kept a clean sheet in regular time in 5 out of their last 7 away World Cup qualifying matches.

Spain’s Probable Starting Lineup (4-3-3)*

Unai Simón – Pedro Porro, Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella – Pedri, Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino – Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.

Midfielders Gavi and Fabian Ruiz are out of the squad due to injuries.

Match Referee Profile

Michael Oliver (England)

Matches officiated – 20 (International, 2024/25–2025/26);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 87;

Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;

Red cards shown – 3;

Average fouls per match – 24;

Penalties awarded – 35%.

Core Match Prediction: Turkey vs Spain

Both teams demonstrated potent attacking displays in their initial qualifying matches, and I anticipate an exciting, offensive game when they meet. Turkey historically faces few difficulties in breaking down opponent defenses at home: in their last ten World Cup qualifiers on home turf, the team failed to score only once, netting at least two goals in seven of those encounters.

Even away from home, Spain remains committed to their attacking style, consistently finding the back of the net. The team has scored in all of their last 21 away European qualifiers, registering at least two goals in 15 of those matches. Given these offensive tendencies from both sides, I expect a high-scoring affair. Therefore, my prediction is: “Total Over 2.5” with odds of 1.71

*The starting lineup for each team reflects their previous match in this tournament.