Spain Clash with Turkiye in Crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier Showdown: Match Preview, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

Spain are heavily favored to clinch their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they take on Türkiye in the decisive Group E encounter.

The reigning European champions hold a three-point advantage over their next adversaries, but their significantly better goal difference ensures that even an unlikely loss for La Roja would almost certainly not be sufficient for Türkiye to claim their berth in next summer's competition.

Luis de la Fuente's squad preserved their flawless qualifying campaign by demolishing Georgia 4–0 over the weekend, while Türkiye maintained their extremely narrow chances of claiming the group's top position by defeating Bulgaria 2–0.

The away side's sole qualifying defeat came in the corresponding fixture, when Spain delivered a commanding performance in an extraordinary 6–0 victory. Results in other matches guarantee Vincenzo Montella's team a playoff position, scheduled for next March.

Only a 14-goal turnaround on Tuesday would allow the visitors to overtake their hosts.

Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of this World Cup qualifying match.

What Time Does Spain vs. Turkiye Kick-Off?

Spain vs. Turkiye Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch Spain vs. Turkiye on TV and Live Stream

Spain Team News

Spain maintained their momentum against Georgia despite numerous important absentees, with Pedri, Rodri, Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal all missing from Luis de la Fuente's roster this month.

Dean Huijsen also sat out Saturday's victory due to a groin problem and will be unavailable against Türkiye. Xabi Alonso will be relieved to know the defender has returned to Madrid.

Although the hosts have virtually secured qualification, significant changes from Saturday's starting eleven are improbable. Arsenal pair Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino will continue in midfield, while Real Sociedad veteran Mikel Oyarzabal consistently performs for his country when given the opportunity.

Pablo Barrios, Marcos Llorente and Yeremy Pino are contending for starting positions.

Spain Predicted Lineup vs. Türkiye

Spain predicted lineup vs. Türkiye (4-3-3): Simón; Llorente, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Merino, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Oyarzabal, Torres, Pino.

Turkiye Team News

Türkiye have their full complement of star players available for their redemption quest in Seville, with Real Madrid's Arda Güler set to encounter several familiar opponents on Tuesday. He'll lead the visiting team's attacking creativity, while Kenan Yıldız will be responsible for providing the clinical finish in the attacking third.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu will be paired with a different midfield colleague on Tuesday due to Ismail Yüksek's suspension.

Kaan Ayhan is expected to be sidelined through injury, while Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Kerem Aktürkoğlu are optimistic about overcoming minor injuries to participate.

Turkiye Predicted Lineup vs. Spain

Türkiye predicted lineup vs. Spain (4-2-3-1): Çakır; Çelik, Demiral, Bardakcı, Kadıoğlu; Çalhanoğlu, Kökçü; Aydın, Güler, Yıldız; Aktürkoğlu.

Spain vs. Turkiye Score Prediction

Italy faced a comparable challenge to Türkiye on Sunday evening, but the Azzurri, rather than producing a miraculous victory, were demolished 4–1 by Norway at home. It's simple to imagine Tuesday's visitors meeting a similar destiny.

There was anticipation that Türkiye would battle intensely with La Roja in the reverse meeting, but they were instead subjected to a Spanish exhibition. The hosts are unlikely to replicate that standard of performance here with several crucial players absent, but they've demonstrated throughout qualifying that they don't depend on individual talents for team success.

This encounter will be much tighter than the September thrashing, but Spain will conclude qualifying with their unblemished record remaining intact.

Prediction: Spain 3–1 Türkiye