World Cup Qualification 2026: Turkey-Bulgaria, the likely lineups

Turkey receives Bulgaria on the penultimate day of Group E of World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Kickoff at 6 p.m. at the Bursa Atatürk Stadyumu. The hosts, second in the group and in the midst of a race to clinch a spot in the playoffs, are chasing their third consecutive victory, while the guests, last in the standings with zero points, will try to get unstuck.

Montella seems leaning toward confirming Calhanoglu (Inter Milan) along with Yuksek in the middle of the field, with Guler, Yildiz (Juventus) and Yilmaz forming the three-quarter line behind Akturkoglu deployed as an offensive reference. In defense, Celik (Roma) and Kadioglu will act as full-backs.

Dimitrov chooses the trident formed by Krastev, Despodov and Minchev. Shopov in the midfield booth, while in defense Bozhinov with Dimitrov. Radoslav Kirilov, Bulgaria’s only scorer in the group, stopped by injury, will not be there.

Probable lineups

Turkey (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Calhanoglu; Guler, Yildiz, Yilmaz; Akturkoglu. Ct: Montella.

Bulgaria (4-3-3): Mitov; Popov, Dimitrov, Bozhinov, Petrov; Petkov, Shopov, Gruev; Krastev, Despodov, Minchev. Ct: Dimitrov.