2026-2027 Nations League: Belgium vs. Turkey, probable lineups

The Matchday 3 clash between Belgium and Turkey, scheduled for 8:45 p.m. on Friday at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège, is already of crucial importance in the 2026-2027 Nations League, particularly with regard to the standings in Group 1 of League A. After two matches, Belgium has three points in the standings, while Turkey is already on the verge of elimination, with zero points.

Belgium’s start to the Nations League has been nothing short of brilliant: the match against Italy in Rome ended 2-0 for the Red Devils, powered by goals from Godts and Lukebakio. At home against France, however, things went differently: on Monday night, the team coached by Mark van Bommel lost 1-0, caught off guard by Michael Olise’s strike in the 88th minute. A win against Turkey will therefore be essential to keep their hopes of qualifying for the tournament’s knockout stage alive.

On the other hand, Turkey—already coming off a disappointing World Cup—began the Nations League with two straight losses, both at home: in Kocaeli, France won 1-0, with Mbappé scoring the decisive goal and the Turks down to ten men in the closing minutes after goalkeeper Urgucan Cakir was sent off; meanwhile, against Italy in Bursa, things went even worse, with a 4-1 loss featuring goals by Bastoni, Frattesi, Kayode, and Pio Esposito (Baris Yilmaz’s goal was in vain), which have raised more than a few doubts about the future of head coach Vincenzo Montella.

Probable lineups

BELGIUM (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, Seys; Tielemans, Lavia; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Godts; De Ketelaere. Head Coach: Van Bommel.

TURKEY (3-4-3): Cakir; Celik, Bardakci, Kabak; Aydin, Ozcan, Kokcu, Kadioglu; Guler, Yilmaz, Uzun. Head Coach: Montella.