Sergen Yalçın confirms Enes Ünal will start against Belgium

According to Fanatik, Sergen Yalçın will start Enes Ünal against Belgium in İzmir. Players’ fitness levels are shaping the national team’s selection plans.

General News

Mirat Haber

12/11/2026 01:35

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Turkey head coach Sergen Yalçın has confirmed that Enes Ünal will start the UEFA Nations League match against Belgium in İzmir. Speaking at a press conference reported by Fanatik, Yalçın stressed the importance of picking up points as he prepares for his first match in charge of a team that lost its opening four group games. He also said some players’ fitness levels were limiting his options.

Key facts ahead of the match

Turkey will host Belgium in İzmir in UEFA Nations League A, Group 1.
Yalçın said Enes Ünal would start at centre-forward.
The coach said Zeki was unlikely to start but could play for 20–30 minutes.
He attributed Arda Okan Kurtulan’s absence from the squad to incomplete procedures concerning his choice of national team.

How will selection and playing time be affected?

For supporters following the team selection, the clearest decision in Yalçın’s comments was Enes Ünal’s place in the starting line-up. The coach also explained that not all players were at the same fitness level during the short preparation period. He said Kenan was unavailable and that Aral had been withdrawn from the squad because he was not ready for the two matches.

The limited playing time being considered for Zeki is part of that picture. Yalçın said three or four players were returning from injury and that he planned to use those short of full fitness for portions of the match. So while Enes Ünal’s starting place has been confirmed, some players are more likely to come off the bench than start.

What is the aim against Belgium?

Yalçın said preparations for Belgium were focused on winning and that the team needed three points in its bid to remain in League A. He also raised the possibility of a relegation play-off if the team picked up points, presenting it as a goal dependent on results rather than a certainty.

Fanatik reported that Turkey had lost its first four group matches. Despite that record, Yalçın said he was pleased with the players’ concentration and mental preparation. He explained that the short training camp had been used to make small adjustments rather than sweeping changes.

Player development was another reason Yalçın gave for wanting to stay in League A. He argued that facing opponents at this level would help the team assess its standing and improve. His long-term plans include both the young players already involved and those who may join the squad in future.

National-team selection procedures hold up Arda Okan Kurtulan’s inclusion

Yalçın’s explanation for Göztepe player Arda Okan Kurtulan’s absence centred on the process of choosing a national team rather than a selection decision. The coach said he had considered the player for the two matches during this camp but could not include him because of the required procedures.

Yalçın initially referred to citizenship, then corrected himself, explaining that the issue concerned the procedure for choosing to represent Turkey. He therefore described the obstacle as the process of confirming the player’s national-team choice rather than his citizenship status.

According to the coach, a request was made for the federation to contact the player. Arda needs to submit a written declaration of his national-team choice before the process can begin. Yalçın said there was not enough time to complete it during the short camp.

Frequently asked questions

Will Enes Ünal start against Belgium?

Yes. At the press conference reported by Fanatik, Sergen Yalçın confirmed that Enes Ünal would start at centre-forward.

Why was Arda Okan Kurtulan left out of the squad?

According to Yalçın, the procedures for the player to choose to represent Turkey had not been completed. The coach said the required written declaration and subsequent process could not be completed in time for this camp.