Georgia vs Turkey Prediction & Betting Tips (4 September)

The opening clash of Group E in the 2026 World Championship qualifiers pits Georgia against Turkey in Tbilisi on September 4, 2025—a fixture brimming with narrative and ambition. Georgia, fresh off their historic debut at Euro 2024, are riding a wave of national pride and tactical maturity under head coach Willy Sagnol. Captain Guram Kashia continues to anchor the defense with veteran poise, while the emergence of young talents like Georges Mikautadze—linked with moves to Sunderland and Eintracht Frankfurt—adds a layer of unpredictability to their attack. The Crusaders will look to build on their recent form, including an emphatic 8–0 win over Thailand, as they aim to make their mark on the global stage.

Turkey, meanwhile, enters the qualifiers with a renewed sense of purpose after a spirited run to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, where they narrowly fell to the Netherlands. Midfield orchestrators Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Salih Özcan remain central to their plans, offering both creativity and grit. The team is managed by José Mourinho, whose tenure at Fenerbahçe has been marked by both tactical discipline and occasional friction. With rumors swirling about a potential move to MLS post-World Cup, Mourinho’s current focus is laser-sharp—he knows a strong start in Georgia could set the tone for a deep campaign.

The tactical chess match between Sagnol and Mourinho promises to be compelling. Georgia’s compact shape and counter-attacking flair will test Turkey’s high press and possession-based approach. Expect Mikautadze to exploit spaces behind Turkey’s backline, while Turkey’s Arda Güler and Kerem Aktürkoğlu will look to stretch Georgia’s defense wide. The Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, often a fortress for the hosts, will be buzzing with anticipation, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides aiming to punch their ticket to North America in 2026.

Prediction: Georgia 2–1 Turkey. The Crusaders, buoyed by home support and recent momentum, edge out a narrow victory. Mikautadze finds the net early, followed by a second-half strike from Kvaratskhelia. Turkey responds through Çalhanoğlu’s set-piece brilliance, but Georgia’s resilience holds firm. It’s a statement win for a team no longer content with being underdogs.