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Türkiye to battle it out in 2026 World Cup Qualifier rematch against Georgia

Türkiye players celebrate after their 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier Group E win over Bulgaria at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, October 11, 2025. (AA Photo)
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Türkiye players celebrate after their 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier Group E win over Bulgaria at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, October 11, 2025. (AA Photo)
October 14, 2025 03:00 AM GMT+03:00

Türkiye’s national football team will face Georgia for the eighth time as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group E on Tuesday, October 24.

The match will be played in Kocaeli, northwestern province of Türkiye, at Kocaeli Stadium at 9.45 p.m. local time (GMT+3).

The 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier between Türkiye and Georgia will be officiated by Radu Petrescu of the Romanian Football Federation.

Türkiye holds the edge in head-to-head record against Georgia

Türkiye won the first group match 3-2 in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, with goals from Mert Muldur and Kerem Akturkoglu, who scored twice.

Out of seven previous meetings between the two sides — four official and three friendly — Türkiye has recorded five victories, one draw, and one defeat. The Turkish squad, often referred to as the Crescent-Stars, has scored 18 goals against Georgia while conceding eight.

Georgia secured its only win over Türkiye in a friendly played in Tbilisi on February 7, 2007, with a narrow 1-0 result.

In their latest matches, Türkiye stunned Bulgaria 6-1 away, while Georgia lost 2-0 to group leader Spain.

Türkiye's Kerem Akturkoglu (7) celebrates his goal during the match against Georgia at Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, September 4, 2025. (AA Photo)
Türkiye's Kerem Akturkoglu (7) celebrates his goal during the match against Georgia at Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, September 4, 2025. (AA Photo)

Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Türkiye competes in Group E alongside Spain, Bulgaria, and Georgia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After three matches, Türkiye sits second with six points, having recorded two wins and one loss, just behind Spain, which leads the group standings.

A top-place finish would send Türkiye directly to the World Cup, while a second-place outcome would require advancing through an additional playoff round.

Under FIFA’s qualification format, the 12 group runners-up and the four best group winners from the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League — a total of 16 teams — will compete for the remaining World Cup berths.

These 16 teams will be drawn into four groups of four, with each group staging single-leg semifinals and finals rather than home-and-away ties. The winners of each bracket will earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

October 14, 2025 03:00 AM GMT+03:00
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