7M - Friendly Internationals Preview: Turkiye vs North Macedonia - prediction, team news, lineups

Match Preview: In-Form Hosts Set Sights on North America

Turkey are stepping up their final preparations for the 2026 World Cup as they prepare to welcome North Macedonia to the Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu stadium on Monday. Vincenzo Montella's side are riding a wave of momentum and are determined to extend their impressive unbeaten streak before headheading over to North America for their first World Cup appearance in 24 years.

The Crescent-Stars have been in spectacular form under Montella, securing their place in the finals and stringing together a six-match unbeaten run that includes five victories. Their defensive solidity has been equally remarkable, keeping three clean sheets in their last four outings while netting 16 goals across their last six fixtures. This home friendly serves as the perfect platform to fine-tune their tactics and give the home fans a proper send-off.

On the other hand, North Macedonia are dealing with the disappointment of missing out on another major tournament. Goce Sedloski's side travel to Turkey desperate to break a miserable seven-match winless run. The Lynxes have struggled heavily in the final third, failing to score in four of their last five matches. While their recent statistics make for grim reading, North Macedonia have proven to be a tough nut to crack on occasion, losing only two of their last eight games and relying on a reasonably resilient defensive structure to keep opponents at bay.

Team News and Tactical Choices

The hosts will have to manage without the services of dynamic Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, who is currently sidelined with a muscle issue. In his absence, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Orkun Kokcu, and Arda Guler are expected to form the creative trio operating just behind main striker Kerem Akturkoglu. Furthermore, Inter Milan maestro and captain Hakan Calhanoglu is also resting a minor muscle injury, meaning Borussia Dortmund's Salih Ozcan will likely partner Ismail Yuksek in the heart of midfield. Ahmetcan Kaplan remains out in defense, paving the way for Ozan Kabak and Abdulkerim Bardakci to start at center-back.

North Macedonia travel without winger Daniel Musovski, leaving Eljif Elmas and Bojan Miovski with the responsibility of providing attacking support to center-forward Elmin Rastoder. Defensively, Sedloski might stick with familiarity by fielding an unchanged back three consisting of Gjoko Zajkov, Darko Velkovski, and Visar Musliu in front of goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

Predicted Starting Lineups

Turkey Potential Starting XI: Cakir; Celik, Kabak, Bardakci, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Ozcan; Guler, Kocku, Yilmaz; Akturkoglu

North Macedonia Potential Starting XI: Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Velkovski, Musliu; Jankulov, Atanasov, Nikolov, Herrera; Elmas, Rastoder, Miovski

Match Prediction

Turkey 3-1 North Macedonia

Despite missing a couple of influential figures in midfield and attack, Turkey's current confidence and collective quality should carry them through. North Macedonia's defensive organization will likely make things competitive during the opening exchanges, but the visitors lack the necessary firepower to match Turkey's attacking threat over 90 minutes. Expect a comfortable home victory for the World Cup-bound hosts.