Belgium host Turkey at Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Friday, 2 October 2026, in the third round of the Nations League group stage, with Mark van Bommel expected to keep faith with the side’s recent shape.
Senne Lammens is set to start in goal in the absence of Courtois, while Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele are likely to continue together at the heart of the defence. The pairing has been solid since the World Cup.
Timothy Castagne and Joaquin Seys are expected to complete the back four. In midfield, Romeo Lavia should partner Youri Tielemans, combining defensive balance with experience.
Dodi Lukebakio is in line to replace the suspended Diego Moreira on the wing. Charles De Ketelaere is expected to lead the attack, with the forward preferred to Lukaku. Lukaku could still be introduced during the match.
Belgium’s probable XI
Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens
Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys
Defensive midfielders: Romeo Lavia, Youri Tielemans
Attacking midfielders: Dodi Lukebakio, Kevin De Bruyne, Mika Godts
Centre-forward: Charles De Ketelaere
Turkey arrive in poor form but are also expected to retain a three-man defensive system under Vincenzo Montella. Merih Demiral and Ozan Kabak are likely to form part of the back three, with Zeki Celik completing the defensive line.
Oguz Ayd?n and Eren Elmal? should operate as wing-backs, providing width while Orkun Kokcu and Salih Ozcan form the central midfield partnership.
Arda Guler remains Turkey’s main creative outlet and is expected to support Can Uzun and Bar?s Alper Y?lmaz in attack. Montella must work around the absences of Calhanoglu and Kenan Y?ld?z, who are both injured, as he seeks a balanced team combining youth and experience.
Turkey’s probable XI
Goalkeeper: Altay Bay?nd?r
Defenders: Zeki Celik, Merih Demiral, Ozan Kabak
Midfielders: Oguz Ayd?n, Orkun Kokcu, Salih Ozcan, Eren Elmal?
Attackers: Arda Guler, Bar?s Alper Y?lmaz, Can Uzun
The match is the third group-stage fixture in the Nations League for both Belgium and Turkey. The odds listed by 1xbet make Belgium favourites at 1.40, while a draw is priced at 4.50 and a Turkey victory at 5.20.