Turkey-France to be played without goal-line technology

Turkey-France will be played without goal-line technology, leaving the opening match of France’s 2026-27 Nations League campaign without the system used to determine whether the ball has fully crossed the line. Video assistant refereeing will still be available. The match also marks Zinédine Zidane’s first game as France coach.

The fixture is scheduled for Friday at 20:45. UEFA regulations do not require goal-line technology for Nations League group matches. Its use is decided by the host federation in agreement with the visiting team, which allows the system to be omitted for this meeting with Turkey.

That position changes for the Nations League finals in June, when goal-line technology must be in operation. The same distinction applies to the Euro 2028 qualifiers, which begin in March: the system is optional during qualifying but will be used at the finals hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Cost is one factor behind the different requirements. In France, the technology costs the Ligue de Football Professionnel about €1.5 million each year across more than 300 matches, not including the initial installation expense. For group-stage fixtures and qualifying matches, UEFA therefore leaves federations greater discretion over whether to bear that cost.