Georgia and Turkey clash on Thursday, September 4, 2025, in a critical Group E match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. The match kicks off at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi around 17:00 BST / 12:00 p.m. ET / 16:00 GMT, in what should be an electric atmosphere as both teams jostle for superiority in a competitive group with Spain and Bulgaria.
Georgia comes into this on the back of four-match unbeaten streak and stimulated by their emergence to the global stage with a spirited performance at Euro 2024. With the fascinating talents of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze, Georgia possesses pace, flair and attacking intention, which will be key for their performance.
Turkey will rely on unity and confidence gained from their quarterfinal appearance at Euros. With players like Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu being able to create, Turkey have now depth and tactical empathy to favour them.
Expect goals. On the whole, most bettors and analysts feel both teams will score goals in this game, rather than the event of neither side scoring.
Tactics will be significant in determining the game. Georgia’s plan likely relies on defending well, and countering quickly to exploit the space left behind Turkey’s wing-backs. Turkey will be hoping to dominate possession of the ball, exploit midfield and stretch the Georgian players with wing play and creative movement played by Güler.
Historically, it looks like Turkey has the edge: In the six encounters leading up to this game, Turkey has won four, Georgia one, and there has one draw.
From a team news perspective, Georgia has confirmed they will be without players Otar Kiteishvili and Giorgi Chakvetadze with Giorgi Kvernadze coming into the squad for his first start at senior level. Turkey appear fit overall, but updates will come throughout training.
With tactics, form, and atmosphere all to play out, the game on Thursday in Tbilisi, looks to be an exciting encounter. The intensity of the home crowd, the stacked individual talent on both sides, and the group table weighted well, mean the fixture could prove to be pivotal for both teams in Group E.