Turkey will be looking to do the impossible when they travel to Seville to face in-form Spain in the final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Group E, Softfootball reports.
Spain are unbeaten in 30 matches to the delight of their fans and a win or draw guarantee’s them a place at the Mundial while must win the encounter. The visitors will draw confidence from their 2-0 victory over Bulgaria courtesy of a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty and an Atanas Chernev own goal.
Interestingly, La Roja just travelled to the venue of the match today as revealed by their official X handle. It read:
Are you waiting for us, Seville?
✈️ We’re taking off to you!#VamosEspaña | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/NZjLqU93qB
— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) November 16, 2025Spain have won all their five matching so far, gathering 15 points, scoring 19 goals and conceding none. Spain hammered Georgia 4-0 in their last encounter where Barcelona forward, Ferran Torres joined the all-time goalscoring list of Spain with his goal on the night.
Real Sociedad forward, Mikel Oyarzabal marked his 50th international appearance with a brace while Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi also scored in that game.
Head-to-Head
This is not one of Turkey’s favourite fixtures as have met Spain four times, with La Roja winning every match, including keeping a clean sheet in three of the four encounters.
Star Player
Mikel Oyarzabal is the star man for Spain in the absence of the injure Lamine Yamal while Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler is the man Turkey will look up to for creativity and goals in a match that is a must win for them.
Team News
Spain are still without the likes of Pedri, Rodri, Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal due to injury while Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen, who sat out Saturday’s win over Georgia with a groin problem has returned to the Bernabeu.
Crystal Palace forward, Yeremy Pino will be looking to start the game alongside Oyarzabal in attack. The Sociedad star has scored eight goals in his last eight international appearances.
Spain national team coach. Luis de la Fuente talked about the importance of defender, Aymeric Laporte as shared via their official X handle.
Aymeric Laporte is a player who gives us great ball distribution, he’s capable of threading passes and has great authority on the defensive line. He is very complete and fits our idea.
For Turkey, Fenerbahce midfielder Ismail Yuksek will serve a one-match ban after picking up his second yellow card of the qualifying campaign and not available for this game. Also, Galatasaray Kaan Ayhan is ruled out due to injury.
Abdulkerim Bardakci and Kerem Akturkoglu are injury doubts after sitting out Sunday’s training session while star man Hakan Calhanoglu is out after picking up an injury on Saturday.
Spain probable XI:
Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Torres, Pino, Oyarzabal
Turkey probable XI:
Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Calhanoglu, Kocu; Aydin, Guler, Yildiz; Akturkoglu
Softfootball prediction
Turkey is a very good footballing nation but it will be too much of a task against Spain at home. Spain 3-1 Turkey.
