Turkiye vs France: UEFA Nations League – teams, kickoff time, lineups

By Kevin Hand and The Associated Press. Published On 24 Sep 202624 Sep 2026.

Key points

• The sides shared a 1-1 draw in Paris in 2019 in a qualifier for Euro 2020.
• Affectionately nicknamed "Zizou", his face was beamed onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris the night France celebrated its first World Cup triumph in 1998.
• He then won league titles with Juventus and Real Madrid and scored a brilliant volley to support Madrid win the Champions League in 2002.
• Zidane's dream was realised when he replaced Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup.
• Olivier Giroud offered the home side the lead in the 76th minute before Kaan Ayhan levelled for Turkiye five minutes afterwards.

Who: Turkiye vs France What: UEFA Nations League Where: Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit, Turkiye When: Friday, September 25, at 9: 45pm (18: 45 GMT) How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will have all the build-up from 15: 45 GMT.

Zinedine Zidane was asked if taking charge of his first France game on Friday will feel just as special as his playing debut for Les Bleus more than 30 years ago.

"Even more so, maybe, " a smiling Zidane remarked on Thursday ahead of a Nations League game in Turkiye. "I feel an immense emotion being at the head of this France team."

Zidane's dream was realised when he replaced Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup. His former teammate Deschamps was in charge for 14 years, winning the World Cup in 2018 and losing the 2022 final.

Now it's Zidane's chance to create his mark on a team he once starred for.

Zidane scored two headers in the final in a 3-0 win over Brazil and afterwards that year he won the Ballon d'Or. Two years afterwards, he was instrumental in France winning the European Championship.

His rise to the top seemed almost fated, for his international career began brilliantly in 1994 with two stunning goals against the Czech Republic after coming on as a substitute.

Zidane understands expectations are high, given his achievements as a player and how he led Real Madrid to three straight Champions League titles as a coach.

"It's something new. I'm taking over as head coach so individuals are talking concerning it, " he noted. "That makes sense."

After facing Turkiye, France plays Belgium away on Monday before hosting Italy on October 2, and Belgium three days afterwards, with both those games at the Stade de France. Mbappe given all clear for France's trip to Turkiye.

France's all-time top scorer Kylian Mbappe is due to captain the side, having shrugged off a minor injury.

Zidane was asked why, given that Mbappe is captain, he was not present at Thursday's pre-match news conference. Instead, it was midfielder Adrien Rabiot who spoke to the media.

"The obligation is to have one player and the coach, " Zidane remarked. " is fine. He will be ready to play tomorrow."

Rabiot is one of France's vice-captains along with forward Ousmane Dembele and right back Jules Kounde.

Rabiot remarked the enormous attention placed on Zidane offered the players a welcome back seat.

"His aura means he commands a lot of attention, " Rabiot remarked. "In a way, it's a good thing that the focus is more on the coach than the players. It gives them a bit more peace and quiet." Zidane understands the limelight but does not seek it.

"You have to accept how things are. But I'm not here for that, " he remarked. "Winning matches is what interests me the most." What happened the last time Turkiye played France?

For context, the sides shared a 1-1 draw in Paris in 2019 in a qualifier for Euro 2020.

This will be the seventh session between the nations, with France claiming four wins to Turkiye's one in the previous encounters.

Turkiye will be without the services of Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz due to injury. Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler, nevertheless, is available despite fears of a knock. Turkiye predicted starting lineup. Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali; Ozcan, Kokcu, Yuksek; Guler, Yilmaz, Akturkoglu. Zidane can choose from six new faces in his squad.

Striker Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), defenders Leny Yoro (Manchester United) and Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), midfielder Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Andy Diouf (Inter Milan) and Guillaume Restes (Toulouse) are set for their debuts.

"I'm happy with what I've seen so far. The French team is open to everyone, " Zidane remarked. "We've got a good squad, some veterans, some newcomers." France predicted starting lineup. Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Camavinga, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.

In short, turkiye vs France: UEFA Nations League is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.