Match Information

Sport: Football

Match: Belgium vs Türkiye

Tournament: UEFA Nations League 2026/27 – League A, Group A1, Matchday 3

Date: Friday, October 2, 2026

Kick-off: 8:45 PM CEST / 9:45 PM Türkiye time

Venue: Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège, Belgium

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Belgium host Türkiye in Liège on Friday with valuable Nations League points at stake in a demanding Group A1. The Red Devils have made the stronger start and now have home advantage against a Türkiye side still searching for their first points of the campaign.

For Vincenzo Montella's visitors, the challenge is made tougher by significant absences. Belgium, meanwhile, have an opportunity to strengthen their position in a group where France and Italy leave very little margin for dropped points.

Form, Trends, Key Facts, Stats & Team News

Türkiye's return to the top tier of the Nations League has provided an immediate reminder of how unforgiving League A can be. After earning consecutive promotions, Montella's side have started the new campaign with defeats and now travel to Belgium needing a result to prevent the gap from growing.

Their biggest problem is not simply form.

It's personnel. Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız are unavailable through injury, removing two of Türkiye's most influential attacking players. Çalhanoğlu's absence is particularly significant. Türkiye lose his passing range, set-piece delivery and ability to dictate possession from midfield – qualities that would have been especially useful in an away match where Belgium are expected to see more of the ball. Orkun Kökçü has also been dealing with a toe problem, creating another potential issue in midfield.

That places even greater responsibility on Arda Güler. The young playmaker should operate as Türkiye's main creative outlet, and his ability to find space between the Belgian lines could determine whether the visitors can offer more than a defensive resistance. Montella is unlikely to want an open game. With important attacking pieces missing, Türkiye may look to remain compact, slow Belgium's circulation and attack through transitions when the opportunity appears.

Belgium will need patience. The Red Devils have the technical quality to control possession, but breaking down an organised defensive block can become frustrating if they move the ball too slowly. That makes Kevin De Bruyne particularly important. His passing and ability to create opportunities from deeper areas give Belgium the player most capable of unlocking Türkiye before their defensive structure can reset.

The hosts do have fitness concerns of their own. Leandro Trossard has been dealing with a heel issue, while goalkeeper Mike Penders is among those unavailable or doubtful because of a muscular problem. Even with those concerns, Belgium enter with considerably more attacking depth than their opponents.

Home advantage should also help. The match takes place at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège, where Belgium will expect to control territory and force Türkiye to spend significant periods defending around their own penalty area.

The first goal could dictate almost everything. If Belgium score early, Türkiye will eventually need to abandon some of their caution and leave additional space for the hosts to attack. If Montella's side can keep the game goalless deep into the second half, pressure may begin to shift towards Belgium.

Historically, the matchup has been relatively competitive. But Friday's circumstances favour the hosts. Belgium have the stronger start, home advantage and more of their key attacking pieces available. Türkiye arrive without several players they would normally rely on to change a match.

Key Facts

• 🇧🇪 Belgium have made the stronger start to the Nations League campaign.

• 🇹🇷 Türkiye are still searching for their first points in Group A1.

• ⬆️ Türkiye reached League A after consecutive promotions.

• ❌ Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız are unavailable for the visitors.

• ❓ Orkun Kökçü has also been dealing with a toe problem.

• 🎨 Arda Güler should carry much of Türkiye's creative responsibility.

• ⭐ Kevin De Bruyne remains Belgium's key playmaker.

• 🩹 Leandro Trossard has been managing a heel issue.

• 🏟️ The match takes place at Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège.

• ⚔️ France and Italy complete a difficult Group A1.

• 📊 Previous meetings between Belgium and Türkiye have produced a relatively competitive H2H record.

Pro Tip Before You Start

Türkiye's need for points could eventually force them to take risks, but their absences make this a difficult fixture in which to do so.

Without Çalhanoğlu and Yıldız, the visitors lose important creativity and attacking quality. Belgium have home advantage, the stronger start and De Bruyne available to unlock a compact defence.

The Red Devils should have enough to make those advantages count.

👉 Expert Tip: Belgium to Win (1.52)

Alternative Markets

• Belgium to Win & Under 3.5 Goals (2.72)

• Under 3.5 Goals (1.71)

• Belgium to Score First (1.44)

• Belgium Over 1.5 Team Goals (1.41)

• Both Teams To Score – No (2.37)

Türkiye need their first points. Belgium have little reason to offer them any encouragement.

In a group featuring France and Italy, this is exactly the kind of home game the Red Devils will expect to win.

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