Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Turkey
Match Time & Date:
7 September 2025
19:45
Prediction: 2-2
Spain
All eyes will be on Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium when Turkey and Spain lock horns in the Group E derby. Turkey kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign in style, with the team beating Georgia 3-2 on the road, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against La Roja. Baris Yilmaz is banned for Sunday’s clash, meaning that Fenerbahce ace Kerem Akturkoglu should keep his place in the starting XI.
Luis de la Fuente’s men, on the other hand, faced no difficulties in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria. With Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal leading the line, Spain look dangerous up front and given Turkey’s attacking potential at home, both teams to score betting option should be considered. Experienced right-back Dani Carvajal is pushing for a start as well as fit-again midfielder Rodri, while there are no fresh injury worries in the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Hakan Calhanoglu):
Hakan Calhanoglu is another one in the long line of Turkish footballers who were born in Germany, so it is hardly surprising he came to prominence thanks to his performances in Bundesliga. The attacking midfielder with great vision and very good goalscoring record started his professional career at Karlsruher, scoring impressive 17 goals in 50 league outings to earn a move to Bundesliga side Hamburg.
The spell at Imtech Arena was merely a stepping stone for bigger things as 11 goals in his debut top flight campaign persuaded Bayer Leverkusen to splash nearly €15 million on his services. That proved a very good investment as Calhanoglu continued the rich vein of form, and it is now a matter of time before he joins one of European powerhouses.
The midfield maestro had a bright start to his career in the Turkey national team, scoring 5 goals in first 16 caps, and chances are he will become a leader for Milli Takim in the foreseeable future.
Highlighted Team (Spain):
Historically, Spain have been regarded as one of top sides on international stage, but they often struggled to live up to the billing. After reaching the semi-finals at the 1950 World Cup, La Furia Roja won the European Championship trophy on home soil in 1964, but little did they know that it would remain their only trophy for another 44 years.
Following some disappointing showings, Spain finally returned to the biggest stage under Vicente Del Bosque, winning three straight trophies between 2008 and 2012, before crashing out in the group stage at the 2014 World Cup. La Furia Roja enjoyed plenty of success with their tiki-taka style of play, originally designed by Barcelona, with Vicente Del Bosque’s side packed with technically skilled players such as Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and David Silva.
Strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa also had a major role to play in those successes, but when it comes to their famous predecessors, the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Michel, Emilio Butrageno, Raul Gonzalez, Fernando Morientes and Fernando Hierro should not be forgotten.
Denmark 
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Belarus
Iceland 
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Italy 
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Sweden 
