Türkiye will look to end a difficult start to their UEFA Nations League campaign when they face Belgium away on Friday in their third Group 1 match in League A.
The match at Maurice Dufrasne Stadium in Liege kicks off at 9:45 p.m. Türkiye time.
The other Group 1 match will see France host Italy in Paris at the same time.
France lead the group with six points after winning their opening two matches, while Belgium and Italy have three points each. Türkiye are bottom without a point after defeats to both France and Italy.
Türkiye opened their campaign with a 1-0 home loss to France in Kocaeli before suffering a 4-1 defeat against Italy in Bursa. Belgium started with a 2-0 away win over Italy but then fell 1-0 at home to France.
With the group beginning to take shape, Türkiye need a response in Liege to keep their hopes of remaining in League A on track. The Crescent-Stars were promoted from League C in the 2022-23 edition before competing in League B in 2024-25.
The team will then travel to face Italy on Oct. 5 in its fourth group match.
Kökçü out, Çakır back
Türkiye will be without Orkun Kökçü after the midfielder was removed from the squad because of a foot injury.
Kökçü experienced increased pain in his toe following the defeat to Italy in Bursa, prompting the decision to leave him out of the squad for the Belgium match.
Goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır is available for selection after completing his suspension.
Çakır was sent off during Türkiye's opening match against France and subsequently missed the defeat to Italy. His return provides Vincenzo Montella with another option in goal for a match in which Türkiye will be looking to shore up a defense that conceded five goals in its opening two games.
Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Ferdi Kadıoğlu are also expected to return to the starting lineup after the heavy defeat by Italy.
Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler is again expected to be one of Türkiye's main attacking outlets, while Barış Alper Yılmaz is set to continue in a central attacking role.
Van Bommel begins third match in charge
Belgium will play its third match under Mark van Bommel, who replaced Rudi Garcia as head coach in July following the World Cup.
Van Bommel has overseen one win and one defeat in his first two Nations League matches, including the 2-0 victory over Italy and the narrow loss to France.
Belgium have remained in League A throughout the Nations League era, with their best finish coming in the 2020-21 edition when they placed fourth.
The Red Devils have also enjoyed a relatively even historical record against Türkiye. The teams have met 11 times, with Belgium winning three, Türkiye winning three and five matches ending in draws.
Their most recent meetings came in qualifying for Euro 2012. Türkiye won 3-2 at home before the return match in Belgium ended in a 1-1 draw. Belgium have won only once in the teams' last seven meetings.
Belgium will be without suspended attacker Diego Moreira, who picked up his second yellow card of the competition against France. Dodi Lukebakio is expected to benefit from his absence, while Kevin De Bruyne is in line for another start in an attacking role.
Romeo Lavia will be assessed after being forced off late against France, while goalkeeper Mike Penders also faces a late fitness test.
Belgium will also be without several notable players, including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and winger Jeremy Doku.