The Turkish national football team are preparing for one of their toughest tests in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers. After starting their campaign with a dramatic 3-2 away win against Georgia, the Crescent-Stars now welcome Spain to Konya in their second Group E clash.
The stakes are high: a victory would give Turkey a perfect start to the qualifiers and strengthen their chances of reaching the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. Spain, meanwhile, arrive as the reigning European champions, determined to prove their strength on the road. Football fans across the country are eagerly asking: when is Turkey vs Spain, what time does it kick off, and which channel will show the match live? Here’s everything you need to know.When is Turkey vs Spain and which channel is it onThe eagerly awaited Turkey vs Spain clash will be played on Sunday, September 7, with kick-off scheduled for 21:45 Turkish time. The match will take place at the MEDAŞ Konya Metropolitan Stadium, where a packed crowd is expected to support the national team.
Fans can watch the action live on TV 8, which holds the broadcasting rights for this fixture. The referee will be English official Michael Oliver, assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, while Chris Kavanagh will serve as the fourth official.Group standings ahead of the big matchIn Group E, both Turkey and Spain made the perfect start to their campaigns. Turkey secured a hard-fought 3-2 away win against Georgia, while Spain comfortably beat Bulgaria 3-0 in Sofia. Ahead of the second round of matches, Spain sit at the top of the group on goal difference, with Turkey close behind in second place. Georgia and Bulgaria remain without points. In the other fixture of the group, Georgia will host Bulgaria in Tbilisi earlier the same day at 16:00 Turkish time.Spain, the reigning European championsSpain head into this qualifier as the team to beat. Just last year, they lifted the Euro 2024 trophy in Germany, defeating England 2-1 in the final. The tournament showcased their blend of youthful energy and experienced leadership, with players like Pedri, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal emerging as key figures. Under the guidance of manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain are looking to continue their dominance on the international stage by securing an early lead in the World Cup qualifiers.Turkey missing Barış Alper YılmazTurkey will go into the Spain match with only one suspension. Forward Barış Alper Yılmaz received a red card in the win over Georgia and will miss this crucial encounter.
Despite his absence, coach Vincenzo Montella still has plenty of attacking options, including Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who will be expected to step up against a tough opponent.Spain’s injury concernsSpain also have some absentees of their own. Midfield star Gavi and winger Yeremy Pino were ruled out before the Bulgaria game due to injuries and are not part of the squad. Nevertheless, Spain’s depth ensures they remain a formidable side. With Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and rising talent Lamine Yamal, the Spanish attack is brimming with quality.Turkey’s squad for the Spain matchCoach Montella has called up the following players for the Spain clash:
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayındır, Berke Özer, Mert Günok, Uğurcan Çakır
Defenders: Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Çağlar Söyüncü, Eren Elmalı, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Merih Demiral, Mert Müldür, Samet Akaydin, Yusuf Akçiçek, Zeki Çelik
Midfielders: Demir Ege Tıknaz, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, İsmail Yüksek, Kaan Ayhan, Orkun Kökçü, Salih Özcan
Forwards: Arda Güler, Can Uzun, Deniz Gül, İrfan Can Kahveci, Kenan Yıldız, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Oğuz Aydın, Yunus AkgünSpain’s 26-man squadManager Luis de la Fuente has selected a strong 26-player squad featuring both experienced internationals and young stars:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Pedri (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Como), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jorge de Frutos (Rayo Vallecano), Jesus Rodriguez (Como)Road to the 2026 FIFA World CupThe 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams for the first time. From Europe, 16 teams will qualify. Each group winner in the qualifiers will book a direct ticket, while the 12 runners-up will compete in playoffs alongside four teams from the UEFA Nations League for the remaining spots. This makes the Turkey vs Spain match vital for both teams’ hopes of finishing first in Group E.Turkey’s showdown with Spain is shaping up to be one of the most exciting fixtures of the early qualifiers. A win in Konya would give the Crescent-Stars not only a historic triumph against the European champions but also a strong chance of topping Group E. With passionate fans behind them, Montella’s men will look to rise to the challenge on Sunday, September 7 at 21:45, live on TV 8.
The stakes are high: a victory would give Turkey a perfect start to the qualifiers and strengthen their chances of reaching the World Cup for the first time in 24 years. Spain, meanwhile, arrive as the reigning European champions, determined to prove their strength on the road. Football fans across the country are eagerly asking: when is Turkey vs Spain, what time does it kick off, and which channel will show the match live? Here’s everything you need to know.When is Turkey vs Spain and which channel is it onThe eagerly awaited Turkey vs Spain clash will be played on Sunday, September 7, with kick-off scheduled for 21:45 Turkish time. The match will take place at the MEDAŞ Konya Metropolitan Stadium, where a packed crowd is expected to support the national team.Fans can watch the action live on TV 8, which holds the broadcasting rights for this fixture. The referee will be English official Michael Oliver, assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring, while Chris Kavanagh will serve as the fourth official.Group standings ahead of the big matchIn Group E, both Turkey and Spain made the perfect start to their campaigns. Turkey secured a hard-fought 3-2 away win against Georgia, while Spain comfortably beat Bulgaria 3-0 in Sofia. Ahead of the second round of matches, Spain sit at the top of the group on goal difference, with Turkey close behind in second place. Georgia and Bulgaria remain without points. In the other fixture of the group, Georgia will host Bulgaria in Tbilisi earlier the same day at 16:00 Turkish time.Spain, the reigning European championsSpain head into this qualifier as the team to beat. Just last year, they lifted the Euro 2024 trophy in Germany, defeating England 2-1 in the final. The tournament showcased their blend of youthful energy and experienced leadership, with players like Pedri, Rodri, and Lamine Yamal emerging as key figures. Under the guidance of manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain are looking to continue their dominance on the international stage by securing an early lead in the World Cup qualifiers.Turkey missing Barış Alper YılmazTurkey will go into the Spain match with only one suspension. Forward Barış Alper Yılmaz received a red card in the win over Georgia and will miss this crucial encounter.Despite his absence, coach Vincenzo Montella still has plenty of attacking options, including Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who will be expected to step up against a tough opponent.Spain’s injury concernsSpain also have some absentees of their own. Midfield star Gavi and winger Yeremy Pino were ruled out before the Bulgaria game due to injuries and are not part of the squad. Nevertheless, Spain’s depth ensures they remain a formidable side. With Alvaro Morata, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and rising talent Lamine Yamal, the Spanish attack is brimming with quality.Turkey’s squad for the Spain matchCoach Montella has called up the following players for the Spain clash:Goalkeepers: Altay Bayındır, Berke Özer, Mert Günok, Uğurcan ÇakırDefenders: Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Çağlar Söyüncü, Eren Elmalı, Ferdi Kadıoğlu, Merih Demiral, Mert Müldür, Samet Akaydin, Yusuf Akçiçek, Zeki Çelik
Midfielders: Demir Ege Tıknaz, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, İsmail Yüksek, Kaan Ayhan, Orkun Kökçü, Salih Özcan
Forwards: Arda Güler, Can Uzun, Deniz Gül, İrfan Can Kahveci, Kenan Yıldız, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Oğuz Aydın, Yunus AkgünSpain’s 26-man squadManager Luis de la Fuente has selected a strong 26-player squad featuring both experienced internationals and young stars:
Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad)Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Pedro Porro (Tottenham), Robin Le Normand (Atletico Madrid), Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Pedri (Barcelona), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)
Forwards: Alvaro Morata (Como), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jorge de Frutos (Rayo Vallecano), Jesus Rodriguez (Como)Road to the 2026 FIFA World CupThe 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams for the first time. From Europe, 16 teams will qualify. Each group winner in the qualifiers will book a direct ticket, while the 12 runners-up will compete in playoffs alongside four teams from the UEFA Nations League for the remaining spots. This makes the Turkey vs Spain match vital for both teams’ hopes of finishing first in Group E.Turkey’s showdown with Spain is shaping up to be one of the most exciting fixtures of the early qualifiers. A win in Konya would give the Crescent-Stars not only a historic triumph against the European champions but also a strong chance of topping Group E. With passionate fans behind them, Montella’s men will look to rise to the challenge on Sunday, September 7 at 21:45, live on TV 8.
