Football in Turkey isn’t just a game — it’s a national passion. Few nations can match the intensity of Turkish fans, and while Istanbul remains the epicenter of the sport, the story of Turkish football goes far beyond one city.
The Big Three and Beyond
The traditional heavyweights — Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş — continue to dominate headlines. While Trabzonspor has historically been the only consistent challenger outside Istanbul, teams like Başakşehir and Bursaspor have also made their mark with league titles. Still, the lion’s share of success resides on the Bosphorus.
Champions League Setback
This year brought disappointment: no Turkish club qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage — the second time in four years. For a country with 26 consecutive UCL appearances not long ago, this absence stings. However, there’s hope: from next season, the Super Lig champion will once again earn direct group stage entry.
Until then, Turkish hopes rest in the Europa League and Conference League, where the big three are still in contention.
Europa League Campaigns
Beşiktaş: Fighting to Stay Alive
Beşiktaş has struggled the most in Europe this season. After six Europa League matches, they sit 28th in the standings with just 6 points and a -7 goal difference. Heavy early defeats to Ajax and Eintracht Frankfurt set them back, but wins over Lyon and Malmö kept their hopes alive. Losses to Bodø/Glimt and Maccabi Tel Aviv again raised questions.
Their remaining fixtures — against Athletic Bilbao at home and Twente away — are must-wins. With players like João Mário, Ciro Immobile, Rafa Silva, Milot Rashica, and Gabriel Paulista, the talent is there. But they’ll need a top performance to reach the knockouts.
Fenerbahçe: Mourinho’s European Mission
Fenerbahçe, under José Mourinho, failed to reach the Champions League — a letdown after high expectations. But Mourinho cheekily promised Europa League success instead, and fans are holding him to it.
So far, Fener has been solid: 8 points from six matches, including wins over Slavia Prague and Royal Union SG, and draws against Twente and Manchester United. A key win against Lyon and a solid result at Midtjylland could seal their passage.
With a squad boasting Fred, Amrabat, Edin Džeko, Dušan Tadić, and Youssef En-Nesyri, they have the firepower — and a manager who thrives in Europe.
Galatasaray: The Super Team
Galatasaray looks the most likely to lead Turkey deep into Europe. Unbeaten in the Europa League, they’ve secured 12 points from six matches and currently sit sixth in the standings.
They’ve been untouchable at home, beating Tottenham, Elfsborg, and PAOK in Istanbul. Away draws against RFS, AZ, and Malmö show resilience, too. Matches against Dynamo Kyiv and Ajax remain, but a win at home could all but guarantee a knockout berth.
With a star-studded roster — Muslera, Davinson Sánchez, Kerem Demirbay, Hakim Ziyech, Lucas Torreira, Mauro Icardi, and the marquee addition Victor Osimhen — Galatasaray has built arguably the most talented team in Turkish history. Osimhen’s loan move from Napoli has already paid dividends, with 10 league goals.
Conference League: Başakşehir Struggles
Outside the big three, Başakşehir represents Turkey in the Conference League. Despite showing fight, they’ve fallen short. With 6 points from 6 games, they sit just outside knockout contention.
After a poor start, losses to SK Rapid and Celje were followed by a four-game unbeaten run. A win over Bundesliga’s Heidenheim showed promise, but three draws weren’t enough. With the group stage now over, Başakşehir must regroup and focus on qualifying for Europe again via the league.
Domestic Outlook: Galatasaray Dominating
At home, Galatasaray has been imperious: 16 wins, 2 draws, no losses. They lead the Super Lig with 50 points from 18 matches, scoring 51 goals — 10 from Osimhen alone.
Fenerbahçe follows, showcasing the league’s best defense with just 16 goals conceded. Mourinho’s impact is already noticeable, not just on the pitch but off it, where his fiery press conferences have become must-watch TV.
The Istanbul rivalry is fierce as ever, and if anyone can end Fenerbahçe’s decade-long title drought, it’s Mourinho — but Galatasaray may have too much firepower this year.
What’s Next?
Turkey will regain two Champions League spots next season — the champion goes directly to the group stage, while second place enters qualifying. Europa and Conference League spots await teams finishing third and fourth, plus a spot through the Turkish Cup.
Currently, Samsunspor and Eyüpspor hold those places, with Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor aiming to climb. The latter, in 19th place, has been a major disappointment, while Başakşehir sits 7th.
As the January transfer window approaches, expect more moves. Fenerbahçe is rumored to be chasing Anderson Talisca, aiming to bolster their squad for a late push. But with Galatasaray’s momentum, stopping them will be a tall task.
Turkish football is always dramatic — now with added Mourinho magic and Osimhen’s brilliance. The rest of Europe should be paying close attention.