Turkey Hosts Belgium at Gürsel Aksel Stadyumu with League A Survival at Stake
Turkey faces a mandatory win on Thursday, November 12, as they host Belgium at the Gürsel Aksel Stadium in Izmir. For the Turkish side, the stakes are absolute: they must secure three points to avoid immediate relegation from UEFA Nations League A.
Currently bottom of Group A1 with zero points after four consecutive defeats, the Turkish squad has struggled defensively throughout the campaign. In contrast, Belgium enters the match in third place with six points, trailing Italy (7) and France (10) as they push for a top-two finish in the group.
Squad Updates and Managerial Shifts
Belgium manager Mark van Bommel, who took over from Rudi Garcia in July 2026, has finalized a 26-man squad that features several notable inclusions and absences. Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku returns to the fold after missing the first four matches of the campaign.
One of the most discussed selections is striker Hugo Cuypers, who recently completed a multi-million dollar transfer from the Chicago Fire to CF Monterrey in Mexico. According to reporting from Flashscore, Cuypers received a surprise recall following his move to Liga MX. However, the squad will be without AC Milan defender Koni De Winter, who reportedly refused a call-up due to dissatisfaction with his playing time.
Tactical Outlook and Match Context
The venue for this fixture marks a logistical shift, with the match being held in Izmir rather than the traditional hubs of Istanbul or Bursa. Turkey will be looking for a significant turnaround after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Belgium in their previous meeting in October 2026.
Turkey’s path to survival is narrow. Having failed to pick up a point in a group containing Italy and France, the pressure on Turkey’s defense is immense. To stay in League A, Turkey must find a way to neutralize a Belgian attack that has looked revitalized under Van Bommel’s tactical shift since the summer.
According to Turkey Your Way, the choice of the Gürsel Aksel Stadium is expected to provide an intense atmosphere as the home side attempts to stop their losing streak. For Belgium, a victory is essential to keep their hopes of overtaking Italy or France alive heading into the final matchday. Given the previous 3-0 result and Turkey’s recent defensive record, Belgium enters as the favorite to dictate the tempo, though Turkey’s desperation for survival may force a more aggressive approach than seen in earlier rounds.
