25 Sept 2026 Football Agenda: Türkiye–France, PFDK

There are no Süper Lig fixtures during the international break, but the football agenda is anything but quiet. Tonight's big match in Kocaeli, a week of fitness updates and a handful of disciplinary rulings are driving the day.

Türkiye vs France: A historic Nations League A test tonight

The Turkish national team open their UEFA Nations League A campaign tonight at 21:45 local time, hosting France at Kocaeli Stadium. It is Türkiye's first time competing in League A, and the game will be shown free-to-air on atv. Head coach Vincenzo Montella named a 29-man provisional squad last week that included four first-time call-ups: Adil Demirbağ, Bartuğ Elmaz, Melih Kabasakal and İlhan Fakılı. Kocaeli Stadium has been reported ready, and trams will run free of charge from 18:00 on matchday.

The schedule stays busy: after France, Türkiye face Italy in Bursa on Monday 28 September, then Belgium and Italy again in early October. FIFA has merged the September and October windows into one extended break, which makes squad management even more important for the technical staff.

Orkun Kökçü and Şengezer: latest fitness news

The main injury story in camp is Orkun Kökçü. He is receiving treatment for pain in his toe and missed the final training session before the match, and no definitive statement has been made on whether he can play against France. Muhammed Şengezer also sat out training with a minor injury, while Mustafa Eskihellaç, who joined camp late, trained with the group. Montella may have to keep his midfield and defensive plans flexible until the last minute, and the likely XI should only become clear close to kick-off.

Zidane: "Türkiye will cause us problems"

On the French side, Zinedine Zidane spoke warmly of Türkiye at his press conference in Kocaeli. "A very difficult match awaits us," he said, adding that Türkiye would pose problems, and he called Arda Güler "very, very good." Stressing that "there is no such thing as Zidane's game, the only right plan is to win," he also said his squad had prepared for the fiery atmosphere of the Turkish crowd.

Kylian Mbappe's status remained a question mark. The star striker missed France's last training sessions with flu symptoms; Zidane said he hoped Mbappe would play, but the final decision will come nearer kick-off. Mbappe is in France's 23-man squad.

PFDK: Yeni Malatyaspor expelled from the Turkish Cup

One of the week's harshest disciplinary rulings came from the Turkish Cup. According to the decisions from the PFDK's 22 September meeting, Yeni Malatyaspor, who failed to take the field on time for their 16 September tie against Adanaspor, were ruled to have lost 3-0, expelled from the competition and banned from the Turkish Cup next season.

At the same meeting, Altay and Söke 1970 Spor were each fined 35,000 TL for not having a licensed masseur or physiotherapist on the bench in their 15 September cup match. Kilis Birlikgücü official Mustafa Zencirci received a three-match ban from the dressing room and bench for assaulting an opposing team member in the game against Kahta 02 Spor. In some files, the board decided no punishment was necessary.

The day in short

There is still time before the Süper Lig resumes, and clubs are watching their players' health in national team camps closely. Tonight's match will shape both Montella's plans and Turkish football's first impression in League A. The cup expulsion is another reminder of how strictly organisation and discipline are enforced in the lower tiers.

The agenda may change during the day; follow official announcements.