World Cup 2026: Spain Seek Six of the Best in Qualifying

Spain vs Turkey

Spain are going to next summer’s Stateside jamboree – regardless of the outcome of this World Cup 2026 qualifier in Seville on Tuesday night.

That’s because even a defeat at home to Turkey would be unlikely to stop the European Champions from winning Group E.

In truth, La Roja rarely look like losing nowadays and, barring defeat in the Nations League Final in June at the hands of their Iberian neighbours, have not lost a competitive encounter for more than two and a half years.

So dominant have been their World Cup qualifier 2025 highlights, Luis de la Fuente’s men have yet to concede a goal as they prepare for their sixth and final game of this campaign.

In fact, they have won their five qualifiers by a combined 19-0 scoreline, even if they are yet to officially secure mathematical qualification for next year’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Bearing all that in mind then, it’s natural to think, what chance do Turkey have?

 

Talking Points

Certainly not many fancy them to gain anything against a Spanish side who thrashed them just a month ago and are three points clear with a vastly superior goal difference.

Spain maintained their 100 per cent record in qualifying with a dominant 4-0 win in Georgia on Saturday, led by a Mikel Oyarzabal brace, as well as goals from Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres.

It was a result which ensured they equalled the nation’s record of going unbeaten in 30 competitive European Championship and World Cup matches. Until now, the record had been held by Vicente del Bosque’s great Spanish side, which won both a World Cup and a European Championship between 2010 and 2013. The overall record is currently held by Italy (31 consecutive games unbeaten).

But pride will surely play a part as Turkey aim to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when they claimed a superb third place.

Remember, this is a nation which has gone head-to-head and put up spirited displays against many of the leading nations, including the Dutch at Euro 2024 who edged a thrilling quarter-final.

Also on Saturday night, Turkey were taking their qualification tally to 12 points with a 2-0 home victory over Bulgaria.

Realistically, they will have to settle for a place in the play-offs as, even if they win in Betis, they would have to do so by an improbable seven goal margin to secure automatic qualification.

The victory over Bulgaria was sealed thanks to goals from influential captain Hakan Calhanoglu, from the penalty spot, and a late own goal.

The 31 year-old has been in fine form again this term with six goals and three assists in 13 games across all competitions for Inter Milan.

Calhanoglu, who has 22 goals in 102 international matches, was at the centre as Turkey dominated possession and rarely looked troubled by Bulgaria who remain bottom of the group without a point.

He would likely have been their main threat again in Spain but has been ruled out with a wrist injury.

Trying to restore pride without him will be extra difficult as Spain look to complete six of the best in qualifying.

 

History

Not since 1967 have Turkey defeated Spain. That was in a tournament called the Mediterranean Games and a group stage encounter in Tunis which the Turks won 2-1.

Since then, a friendly goalless draw aside, the sides have met four times competitively and Spain have won the lot, most recently last month’s 6-0 pummelling in Konya when Mikel Merino grabbed a hat-trick, Pedri netted twice and Torres joined them on the scoresheet.

Of seven Spanish victories, four draws and only two Turkish triumphs, their only other success came in a 1954 World Cup qualifier in March of that year when Burhan Sargin scored the only goal of the game.

This will be Spain’s first home game against Turkey since Gerard Pique scored the winner in a 1-0 victory in a World Cup qualifier in March 2009 at the Bernabeu in Madrid.

 

Betting Tip

I was looking at the SBOTOP World Cup qualifier 2025 betting odds and considering a 1X2 draw @ 5.30 at one point, given this may lack some competitiveness (given Spain are in such a dominant position and Turkey know even a win won’t be enough).

Then I thought about the international record at stake and how much the hosts will want to complete a 100 per cent record in qualifying.

Added together, that sees me backing La Roja.

With odds of 1X2 @ 1.27 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.03, compared to Turkey 1X2 @ 7.60 and Asian Handicap +1.75 @ 1.87, my attention has switched to Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.25 which is my *** tip.

   

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