As the footballing world turns its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, an intriguing Group E encounter is set to unfold at the historic Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria. On Friday, October 11, 2025, at 18:45 UTC, Bulgaria will host Turkey in a match brimming with regional rivalry and significant implications for both nations’ aspirations. This clash isn’t just about three points; it’s a battle for pride, momentum, and a much-needed morale boost in a challenging qualifying campaign.
Bulgaria, affectionately known as ‘The Lions,’ will be desperate to turn their fortunes around on home soil, while Turkey, ‘The Crescent-Stars,’ arrive with a blend of youthful talent and experienced campaigners, aiming to solidify their position in the group. With both teams experiencing a mixed bag of results in their recent outings, intriguing questions hang in the air: Can Bulgaria leverage their home advantage to upset their higher-ranked opponents? Or will Turkey’s attacking prowess prove too much for a Bulgarian side struggling for consistency?
Head-to-Head: A Look at the Historical Encounters
The history between Bulgaria and Turkey on the football pitch has seen its fair share of contests. In a total of 23 meetings between the two sides, Bulgaria holds a superior historical record.
- Total Matches Played: 23
- Bulgaria Wins: 10
- Turkey Wins: 7
- Draws: 6
Recent Meetings:
The most recent encounter between these two nations was a friendly match in June 2015, where Turkey secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Bulgaria. Prior to that, matches in May 2012 and August 2005 both ended in draws.
Current Form & Team News (as of October 11, 2025)
Heading into today’s crucial qualifier, both teams have had contrasting fortunes in their recent competitive fixtures. While specific injuries or suspensions for today’s match cannot be definitively predicted in advance, we can assess their form leading up to this fixture.
Bulgaria:
Bulgaria has endured a challenging start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. They enter this match without a win in their last seven matches across all competitions, recording five losses and two draws since a 1-0 victory over Luxembourg in November 2024. Their struggles are particularly evident at home, where they have failed to win their last five games across all competitions, with two losses and three draws since September 2024.
Most recently, Bulgaria suffered back-to-back 3-0 defeats in their World Cup qualifiers, first against Spain on September 4, 2025, and then against Georgia on September 7, 2025. Their overall form in the WC Qualification Europe stands at 2 wins, 3 draws, and 5 losses, placing them with a 20% win rate. Under manager Ilian Iliev, there was a period where Bulgaria remained unbeaten for nearly a year, including 2-2 draws against Serbia and Hungary, suggesting a capacity to compete, but recent results indicate a dip in form. Bulgaria’s FIFA ranking is 86 as of September 18, 2025.
Key players for Bulgaria often include captain Kiril Despodov, who provides a creative spark and goal threat.
Turkey:
Turkey, currently ranked 27th in the FIFA rankings as of September 18, 2025, comes into this match with a more promising, albeit mixed, recent record. They have been particularly strong away from home in competitive matches, remaining unbeaten in four of their last five, securing three wins and one draw since September 2024.
In their recent World Cup qualifiers, Turkey secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Georgia on September 4, 2025, but were then handed a heavy 6-0 defeat by Spain. Despite the loss to Spain, their overall form in the WC Qualification Europe is very good, with 6 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, boasting a 60% win rate. Under the guidance of Vincenzo Montella, Turkey’s squad has seen its market value climb significantly, now ranking as the 12th most valuable national team globally at €430 million as of October 2025.
Key players for Turkey include the influential midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu, who brings experience and creativity to the squad. Other talents such as Arda Güler and Kenan Yıldız are part of a promising generation.
Tactical Preview
The match is expected to be a tactical battle, with both sides likely to adopt approaches that play to their strengths while trying to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses.
Bulgaria:
Given their recent defensive struggles and playing at home, Bulgaria might adopt a cautious yet determined approach. They are likely to prioritize defensive solidity, potentially opting for a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation. Their strategy will probably involve absorbing pressure and looking to hit Turkey on the counter-attack, utilizing the pace of their wingers and the finishing ability of their forwards. The midfield battle will be crucial for Bulgaria, as they will need to disrupt Turkey’s rhythm and prevent their creative players from dictating the tempo. The atmosphere at Vasil Levski National Stadium could be a significant factor, galvanizing the home side.
Turkey:
Under Vincenzo Montella, Turkey typically prefers a more possession-based and attacking style of play, often lining up in a 4-3-3 or a flexible 4-2-3-1. Their strength lies in their midfield creativity and the individual brilliance of their attacking players. Turkey will likely aim to control the midfield, circulate the ball efficiently, and create opportunities through intricate passing and wide play. The flanks, with players capable of quick dribbles and crosses, will be a primary attacking outlet. Defensively, they will need to be wary of Bulgaria’s potential counter-attacks, especially after their recent heavy defeat to Spain.
As the match is held in Sofia, Bulgaria, the conditions at the Vasil Levski National Stadium should be standard for a European autumn evening, with no significant weather or pitch conditions expected to unduly influence the game. Travel fatigue should not be a major factor for either team, given their relatively close proximity.
