The Matchday 6 fixture in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Turkey and Spain will be held on September 7 at the Konya Büyükşehir Belediye Stadium. Turkey vs. Spain: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Turkey
In the previous round, Vincenzo Montella's side triumphed over Georgia in an away match (3-2), despite only having three shots on target. This victory marked Turkey's fourth win in their last five World Cup qualifying matches. Notably, in their last seven Euro qualifying games, the team managed to keep a clean sheet only against Gibraltar. In the standings, Turkey sits second with three points, trailing Spain on goal difference.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 9 of their last 10 World Cup qualifying matches (5 wins, 4 draws).
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 6 home Euro qualifying matches.
- Turkey has scored at least twice in regular time in 7 of their last 10 home World Cup qualifying matches.
Predicted lineup for Turkey (4-5-1)
Uğurcan Çakır – Evren Elmalı, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Merih Demiral, Mert Müldür – Yunus Akgün, İsmail Yüksek, Arda Güler, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız – Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
Forward Barış Yılmaz will miss the match due to suspension.
Spain
Luis de la Fuente's team had no trouble in their opening Euro qualifying match against Bulgaria on the road (3-0), scoring all three goals in the first half. As a result, Spain extended their winning streak in World Cup qualifiers to five matches, maintaining a clean sheet in each. Additionally, the team has scored in 42 consecutive World Cup qualifying matches. With three points, Spain leads the group standings.
- The team has won in regular time in 8 of their last 9 away World Cup qualifying matches.
- Spain has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 10 of their last 12 away Euro qualifying matches.
- Spain has kept a clean sheet in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away World Cup qualifying matches.
Predicted lineup for Spain (4-3-3)
Unai Simón – Pedro Porro, Robin Le Normand, Din Heysen, Marc Cucurella – Pedri, Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino – Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.
Midfielders Gavi and Fabián Ruiz are out due to injuries.
Referee
Michael Oliver (England)
Matches – 20 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 87;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 35%.
Match Prediction: Turkey vs. Spain
Both teams showcased their scoring prowess in their opening matches of the current qualifying cycle, and I expect an exciting attacking display in their head-to-head encounter. Turkey has rarely struggled to break down defenses in home matches: in their last ten World Cup qualifying home games, the team failed to score only once, and in seven of those matches, Turkey scored at least twice.
Spain, even on the road, remains true to their attacking style. The team regularly finds the back of the net: Spain has scored in each of their last 21 away Euro qualifying matches, and in 15 of those games, they scored at least twice. I anticipate a high-scoring affair in this match, so my prediction: Total over 2.5 goals
