Turkey Target Crucial Win Over Bulgaria to Keep World Cup 2026 Hopes Alive

FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)  -  Turkey VS Bulgaria
Match Time:16-11-2025 01:00 Sunday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips

Turkey aim to keep their Group E top spot hopes alive as they host Bulgaria in World Cup 2026 qualifying. The hosts sit second, three points behind leaders Spain. Bulgaria, meanwhile, remain bottom of the group with zero points.

Team Analysis:
Turkey remain in contention to top Group E after winning three of their four matches, including big victories over Bulgaria and Georgia. A win against Bulgaria would keep their hopes alive, though they suffered a heavy 6-0 loss to Spain that could prove costly. Bulgaria, winless in the group, can only play for pride, with Turkey having won the last three encounters between the sides.

Player Situation:
Turkey will be without Eren Elmali, Isak Vural, Ayberk Karapo, and Yunus Akgun due to injury, but key players like Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, and Kerem Akturkoglu are set to start. Juventus attacker Kenan Yildiz is expected to feature amid speculation linking him to Barcelona and Real Madrid. Bulgaria will be missing Anton Nedyalkov, Petko Hristov, and Radoslav Kirilov, while captain Kiril Despodov leads their attack alongside Martin Minchev and Marin Petkov.

Result Prediction:
Turkey impressed in their two October internationals and are clear favorites against Bulgaria. The home side boast strong attacking quality. They are expected to claim another three points in this match.

Predicted Result: Turkey 3-0 Bulgaria.