The United States ended the group stage of the World Cup in dramatic fashion thanks to a 3-2 defeat to Turkey in the final group match.
The tournament co-hosts began the game strongly and shot into the lead in just the third minute thanks to Auston Trusty’s sharp effort but that lead only last a few minutes as a slick move from Turkey saw Arda Guler score their first goal of the tournament.
The European side then went ahead through Burak Yilmaz and took that lead into the break whilst silencing a previously buoyant American crowd in Los Angeles. Not to be outdone, the US got themselves back on level terms through Sebastian Berhalter – scoring his first international goal – and they looked to push for a winner.
However, the drama concluded with the very last kick of the game as substitute Kaan Ayhan popped up at the back post to touch Turkey back in front and earn them three points. The US had already qualified before this game and will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the last-32 while Turkey sign off from a poor campaign with some hope for their future rekindled.
Follow all the reaction from USA v Turkey, below:
USA v Turkey LIVE: Latest World Cup updates
- USA beaten by Turkey in final match of World Cup Group D
- USA were already through as group winners after two wins from two games
- 98' GOAL! Ayhan taps home to steal late win [USA 2-3 TUR]
- 49' GOAL! Berhalter fires US back on level terms [USA 2-2 TUR]
- 31' GOAL! Kokcu finishes off fine move to put Turkey ahead [USA 1-2 TUR]
- 10' GOAL! Guler finishes slick move to net equaliser [USA 1-1 TUR]
- 3' GOAL! Trusty fires US into early lead [USA 1-0 TUR]
The politicisation of World Cup's first pride match
08:45 , Kieran Jackson
A match celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in conjunction with Seattle’s Pride Weekend celebrations was a perfect moment for inclusivity and football to align. Then, Iran were drawn to face Egypt. Kieran Jackson takes a look at the rainbow game – an event which turned into (another) political storm at the 2026 World Cup.
‘Queer people are everywhere’: Inside the politicisation of the World Cup pride match
Turkey salvage pride
08:30 , Alan Smith
TUR 🇹🇷 3-2 🇺🇸 USA (FT) - Thanks to a last-gasp goal, Turkey extend their perfect record against host nations at the World Cup: 3 matches against home sides, 3 wins:
— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) June 26, 2026
🇯🇵 2002: Turkey 1-0 Japan
🇰🇷 2002: South Korea 2-3 Turkey
🇺🇸 2026: USA 2-3 TURKEY
The bracket takes shape
08:15 , Alan Smith
We now know four of the 16 ties in the next stage
South Africa v Canada (Sunday, 8pm BST)
Brazil v Japan (Monday, 6pm BST)
Netherlands v Morocco (Tuesday, 2am BST)
USA v Bosnia & Herzegovina (Thursday, 2am BST)
The latest of late shows
08:00 , Alan Smith
97:50 - Kaan Ayhan's goal for Türkiye was the second-latest winning goal on record (since 1966) in the FIFA World Cup after IR Iran's Roozbeh Cheshmi vs. Wales in 2022 (97:56), excluding extra time.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 26, 2026
Consolation. pic.twitter.com/GPIes2AzjW
Up next
07:45 , Alan Smith
After a hectic Thursday night and Friday morning, the action resumes at 8pm BST three more groups reaching their conclusions.
Group I (8pm)
Norway v France, Senegal v Iraq
Group H (1am Saturday)
Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia
Uruguay v Spain
Group G (4am)
Egypt v Iran
New Zealand v Belgium
Were Turkey clinical, fortunate or both?
07:30 , Alan Smith
Türkiye 3-2 United States
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) June 26, 2026
Türkiye get three goals from deep in the US box to head home with three points. pic.twitter.com/qKFdza2ZmG
Postecoglou hails Socceroos
07:15 , Alan Smith
Ange Postecoglou, speaking in the ITV studio, has plenty of praise for Australia reaching the knockouts - but now he wants them to build on it.
“It's a great achievement for Australia. It was a tough group and to come second is fantastic for them. It sets them up nicely now. It's another World Cup that they've got out of the group stage,” the former Socceroos coach said.
“It's massive for a country like Australia. We're at that stage where we're qualifying for World Cups regularly and now it's about getting to that next level.
“For a lot of countries like Australia and others at that level, for us to break through we've got to get to the knockout stages consistently and win knockout games - that's the next phase.”
Breathtaking Ecuador become World Cup dark horses again and expose Germany’s biggest problem
07:00 , Jack Rathborn in New York
Ecuador battled, scrapped and clawed their way to this famous World Cup 2026 comeback victory over Germany.
A deserved 2-1 win to advance to the knockout stage for the second-ever time and ensure redemption for the maligned coach Sebastian Beccacece.
They finish third in Group E, in another blow to Scotland’s hopes of becoming one of the eight third-place teams to advance, with their manager clambering into the stands like he had won Wimbledon in what promises to be a wild New York party.
Breathtaking Ecuador become World Cup dark horses to expose Germany’s biggest problem
How last-32 ties are shaping up
06:45 , Alan Smith
The time for win-or-go-home football is almost here and this is how the bracket is shaping up.
Who has qualified for World Cup’s last-32 and who has been eliminated?
The six results Scotland need to qualify for knockout stages
06:30 , Jack Rathborn
All hope is not yet extinguished for Scotland but their route to the knockouts has gotten far less likely.
The six World Cup results Scotland need to qualify for knockout stages
Report: Australia reach knockouts but Paraguay face wait
06:15 , Ian Ransom
Australia booked their place in the World Cup's round of 32 on Thursday with a cagey 0-0 draw against Paraguay that left the South Americans facing a nervous wait to see if they will advance. In a physical, scrappy contest at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Paraguay pushed late after being dominated early but it ended with the Socceroos making the tournament's knockout phase for a third time, four years after reaching the last 16 in Qatar.
Tony Popovic's team sealed second place in Group D behind co-hosts the United States and will meet the second-placed team in Group G, which remains wide open before Egypt face Iran and Belgium meet New Zealand on Friday. Paraguay, on four points, may have done enough to advance as one of the eight best-finishing, third-placed sides but the 2010 quarter-finalists will need to wait for other results in the final group matches in the coming days.
Australia reach World Cup last-32 as Paraguay face wait to learn fate
USA undone but nippy Pulisic cameo maintains momentum
06:00 , Kieran Jackson in Los Angeles
In the insignificant continental battle of the North American hosts, Mexico stand on top after three rounds of matches. It is undeniable that any World Cup is a better spectacle when a second-tier host nation comes to the party: be it Sweden in 1958, South Korea in 2002 or Russia in 2018. The beauty of this year’s tournament is that there are three and while all of them have progressed rather comfortably to the last-32 , only the Mexicans have a perfect record to their name. For the United States, this was not so much a reality check as a reminder of how cruelly a contest can drift out of your favour when chances are not converted at this level.
Has their momentum been stymied by a last-gasp Turkish sucker-punch? Perhaps a smidge. Yet the hard facts are that a last-32 date in Santa Clara next Wednesday, which we now know will be against Bosnia and Herzegovina, was already assured after an electrifying opening two matches. And still, a few key objectives for Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday night were met. Emerge unscathed in the injury department? Tick. Onto the knockouts unimpacted by needless suspensions? Tick. Re-introduce star man Christian Pulisic into the World Cup fray? Tick.
USA undone by late Turkish sucker-punch but nippy Pulisic cameo maintains momentum
McKennie even more motivated after loss
05:45 , Alan Smith
Weston McKennie, again speaking to Fox, hails “special” Pulisic and plays down fears of momentum being slowed following this loss.
"I think the momentum will be there for sure,” he says. “Everybody wants to go to the next game winning but obviously we didn't do that, but it motivates us even more, to prove the first two games weren't a coincidence.
“We look forward to who we play next. I think, we said so many times, all 26 players can do a job. Turkey were clinical, took their chances, we could do better, everyone can step up and contribute to this team.”
On Pulisic, he adds: "Pulisic is a special player, no doubt he adds something to the group, he adds one on one qualities, when the game is dry and not creative, he can create something, good to see him back on the pitch and hopefully see him back in San Francisco."
Wait goes on
05:30 , Alan Smith
100% - Since 1950, Only Brazil in 1970 and 2002 won all their matches outright (no draws, losses, penalty shoot-outs) en route to winning the FIFA World Cup.
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) June 26, 2026
Hiccups. pic.twitter.com/ADi4M24xy6
Trusty: 'I'll be alright'
05:15 , Alan Smith
The defender has played down fears of a serious injury in a snap conversation with Fox at full-time.
“I'll be alright, I heard a little something, no worries,” he said.
Group D final standings
05:14 , Alan Smith
1 USA +4, 6pts
2 Australia 0, 4pts
3 Paraguay -2, 4pts
4 Turkey -2, 3pts
FULL-TIME! Turkey 3-2 USA
05:02 , Alan Smith
It ends in defeat for the hosts but they will quickly look towards meeting Bosnia-Herzegovina in San Francisco.
Turkey go home with some degree of pride restored.
GOAL! Turkey 3-2 USA (Ayhan, 98)
05:12 , Alan Smith
98’ - With the last kick Turkey have won it. Guler nutmegs Pulisic out wide to begin the move in earnest and on the opposite side Uzun tries to shoot from a tight angle. It is deflected ... but only into the path of Ayhan and the substitute scrambles home.
Group D final standings
05:01 , Alan Smith
1 USA +4, 6pts
2 Australia 0, 4pts
3 Paraguay -2, 4pts
4 Turkey -2, 3pts
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:59 , Alan Smith
97’ - We’re into the final minute. Is there one more chance to come?
Full-time! Australia 0-0 Paraguay
04:59 , Alan Smith
The Socceroos are through in second, Paraguay should be through as one of the third-placed teams too.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:58 , Alan Smith
95’ - Pulisic slides a neat pass in to Pepi and his shot is blocked by Soyuncu.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:57 , Alan Smith
95’ - Zendejas is winded after taking a firmly struck ball where it hurts.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:56 , Alan Smith
94’ - Trusty is back on but he looks really uncomfortable and would not be involved if his team still had a change to make,
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:55 , Alan Smith
93’ - America are down to 10 men because they have made all five changes. Trusty is hobbling off the pitch. Does he try to come back on?
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:55 , Alan Smith
90’ - There will be seven minutes added on - plus a bit more while Trusty is being tended to.
Turkey make two more changes. Aydin and Yilmaz are replaced by Muldu and Kahveci.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:53 , Alan Smith
90’ - Trusty is down clutching his left ankle after landing really awkwardly when trying to cross. The defender looks in absolute agony. His match appears over; you hope it’s not the same for his tournament.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:52 , Alan Smith
89’ - Pulisic is upset after Kabak leaves one in on him. Not ideal when you’re just back from an injury in a home World Cup.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:51 , Alan Smith
88’ - And now another Turkey change as Ayhan replaces Kocku. This flurry of changes has really spoiled any sense of momentum being built.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:49 , Alan Smith
86’ - Tilman enters the fray in place of McKennie.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:49 , Alan Smith
84’ - A double Turkey change as Soyuncu and Uzun replace Celik and Yildiz.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:44 , Alan Smith
81’ - It’s all a bit frantic now. Both teams are throwing themselves about, neither with much cohesion in the past two minutes. Although as I type that Kocku has a go from range but cannot make Turner work.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:41 , Alan Smith
77’ - Pulisic goes close again. He is absolutely desperate to score. Captain America shuttles in from the right and dispatches a ferocious effort which is not too far away from nestling in Cakir’s net.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:40 , Alan Smith
76’ - Pochettino is bringing on three pairs of fresh legs.
Freeman, Dest and Zendejas will finish the game. Aaronson, Scally and Reyna are off.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:35 , Alan Smith
72’ - Yildiz cuts on to his right foot, inside Scally and then sends a fizzing shot narrowly wide. The break appears to have done Turkey plenty of good.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:34 , Alan Smith
70’ - Back to it. And within a minute of the restart Trusty and Turner have a little mix up that almost sees Yilmaz nip in. Turner eventually gathers it.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:30 , Alan Smith
67’ - Hydration break. That will frustrate the Americans and be welcomed by Turkey.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:29 , Alan Smith
66’ - That corner is cleared and then Yildiz eases the pressure by venturing down the left. He is eventually crowded out but at least Turkey have made it out of their own half.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:27 , Alan Smith
64’ - And now Pulisic hits the post! Pepi tries to meet a cross in from the right with an overhead kick. It deflects into the sub’s path and he tries to loop it over Cakir. Turkey’s goalkeeper gets a touch to it and the ball comes off the upright, with McKennie’s follow up deflected out for a corner. Cakir is now down with an injury and the medics are on to treat him.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:25 , Alan Smith
62’ - Electric stuff from Pulisic. Berhalter finds him with a diagonal out to the left. The former Chelsea forward takes it down and bursts into the area. He opts to shoot rather than cross and brings a save from Cakir. Reyna cannot connect cleanly with the rebound.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:23 , Alan Smith
60’ - Pulisic is immediately involved. Driving forward and taking down a pass over thetop from Reyna. He is crowded out after taking a first touch and America have a corner that is again sent deep to Trusty. Turkey have realised they should probably try to mark him so he puts this effort wide when under pressure.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:21 , Alan Smith
58’ - Weah is the man who makes way for Pulisic. The reaction from fans is almost as raucous as their goal celebrations.
Pulisic on
04:21 , Kieran Jackson in Los Angeles
A huge cheer greets Christian Pulisic’s arrival onto the pitch.
Nearly two weeks out with a calf injury, the USA’s star man will have just over half-an-hour to get up to speed tonight.
His shirt was by far and away the most popular on my walk into Inglewood this afternoon... let’s see what he can produce.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:20 , Alan Smith
57’ - Pulisic is getting ready to come on. The crowd notice and a huge roar goes up.
Turkey 2-2 USA
04:17 , Alan Smith
53’ - America now believe that they can win this. They are dominating more of the ball and are trying to find Weah down the left, even if Celik has thus far matched him for pace.
Australia 0-0 Paraguay
04:16 , Alan Smith
It remains scoreless in the other game - a result that would see both move to four points and into the last-32; Australia in second and Paraguay as a third-place finisher.
GOAL! Turkey 2-2 USA (Berhalter, 48)
04:13 , Alan Smith
Oh this is a beautiful strike from Berhalter, his first international goal. Turkey cannot deal with a ball in from the left and it breaks to the midfielder just outside the box. He strikes a delightful half volley along the deck and in. The connection could not have been much sweeter.
Turkey 2-1 USA
04:11 , Alan Smith
48’ - Aaronson wins a corner with a blocked cross from the left. Trusty is the target but cannot be found. Reyna then punts a second ball back towards goal and Cakir makes a mess of it, half-heartedly flapping instead of making a routine catch.
Turkey 2-1 USA
04:08 , Alan Smith
46’ - Turkey get us going again.
Work to do for Pochettino
04:08 , Kieran Jackson in Los Angeles
No changes at the break from the US boss - how long will he leave it?
And will we see Christian Pulisic return to action?
It wasn’t all bad from the Americans in that half
04:07 , Alan Smith
212 - The #USMNT completed 212 passes in the first half against Türkiye, more than either Australia (201) or Paraguay (96) managed in the entire match against them.
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) June 26, 2026
Resistance. pic.twitter.com/JxEXO3JNfH
Half-time! Turkey 2-1 USA
03:52 , Alan Smith
That’s the break.
Turkey have been really good having stunk the place out in their first two matches to ensure this venture is merely about pride. The USA are disjointed after making nine changes and Pochettino may soon be fretting about slowing his team’s momentum with a last-32 meeting versus Bosnia to come.
Turkey 2-1 USA
03:48 , Alan Smith
48’ - Reyna battles to win a corner via Bardakci and Trusty again meets it with a towering header from about eight yards. He cannot get over the ball enough, however, so powers it over the bar.
Turkey 2-1 USA
03:46 , Alan Smith
45’ - There will be six added minutes.
Turkey 2-1 USA
03:45 , Alan Smith
45’ - McKennie tries his luck from more than 30 yards having been afforded far too much space. His shot bounces awkwardly and Cakir parries but no one follows up quickly enough to reach the rebound before Turkey can clear.
Turkey 2-1 USA
03:41 , Alan Smith
40’ - Bardakci chests down a knock on from Yilmaz and has an unorthodox poke towards goal blocked by McKenzie. The officials give a goal kick when it is an obvious corner and, following protests, their initial decision is changed. Guler’s delivery is cleared.
Turkey 2-1 USA
03:39 , Alan Smith
39’ - Weah latches on to a ball over the top but his effort from a tight angle is saved by Cakir. Turkey quickly find Guler down the right and Trusty decides to foul him.
Turkey 2-1 USA
03:38 , Alan Smith
37’ - USA, again, cannot get to grips with Guler’s movement and distribution. Pochettino and assistant Jesus Perez are growing more animated on the sidelines as Turkey’s young star attempts to fashion something from around the ‘D’.
Turkey in front
03:38 , Kieran Jackson in Los Angeles
That will be enormously frustrating for Mauricio Pochettino.
One minute he thinks his side have re-taken the lead, the next they are a goal behind.
It’s a lovely Turkey goal. Some delicate interplay in the box is finished off by Orkun Kokcu. Work to do for the US to maintain their perfect record...
Turkey 2-1 USA
03:34 , Alan Smith
34’ - Guler now looks very much in the mood, popping smart passes around that the Americans are presently unable to shut down.
For Pochettino there already appears clear indications that his squad may not have great depth - this is nowhere near as cohesive as the first two matches.
GOAL! Turkey 2-1 USA (Yilmaz, 31)
03:32 , Alan Smith
And like buses Turkey have another. This one is a beauty. Guler feeds out to an overlapping Elmali on the left at the end of a lovely exchange of passes. Elmali cuts back a nice pass for Kokcu to strike first time - although on second viewing it takes a deflection off Yilmaz en route.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:31 , Alan Smith
29’ - Oh dear. The USA have the ball in the net but it won’t count. They win another corner. Berhalter takes it and again Turkey make a complete and utter mess of it. Robinson meets the ball initially but Elmali botches his clearance and McKenzie eventually converts. Except he and Pepi are both well offside. The flag goes up after the ball hits the net, ruining McKenzie’s brief moment of celebration.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:26 , Alan Smith
26’ - We’ve resumed with a drop ball.
Turkey respond well
03:23 , Kieran Jackson at Los Angeles Stadium
Turkey have responded well, not only through that Arda Guler goal, but also in the wider pattern of the match.
A small group of Turkish fans, in the lower tier, certainly enjoyed the side’s first goal of the tournament.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:23 , Alan Smith
23’ - Hydration break. Plenty of the LA crowd make their feelings known, though the jeers are not as loud as they have been in other stadiums.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:22 , Alan Smith
22’ - Celeb cam is in overdrive for this one. Ashton Kutcher, Brad Pitt and some other people I don’t recognise have already appeared on screen.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:20 , Alan Smith
20’ - Ozcan is still limping but wants to try and run it off.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:19 , Alan Smith
19’ - Berhalter is booked for a naughty rake of his studs down the shin of Ozcan. The Turkey midfielder will require attention.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:16 , Alan Smith
16’ - The Americans are a little bit hectic here, not entirely in control, and while that has made this an entertaining start to a dead rubber, Pochettino would prefer a little more control.
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:15 , Alan Smith
15’ - This statistic is interesting because we’re into the 60th match of the tournament - still four short of how many games were in the previous format.
173 - Auston Trusty's goal was the 173rd scored in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the most in any edition of the competition.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 26, 2026
Party. pic.twitter.com/zn57NJ19aj
Turkey 1-1 USA
03:13 , Alan Smith
13’ - Aaronson tries his luck, firing right at Cakir, when he had several teammates open in promising positions.
GOAL! Turkey 1-1 USA (Guler, 10)
03:11 , Alan Smith
Now then. With their 63rd shot of the tournament, Turkey have finally scored. Guler is sent through by Yilmaz after McKenzie misreads a loose ball and the Real Madrid star sends a left-footed effort past Turner.
Turkey 0-1 USA
03:09 , Alan Smith
8’ - Kokcu trips Reyna and is bizarrely furious to have conceded an obvious foul.
What a start
03:07 , Kieran Jackson at Los Angeles Stadium
An incredible moment for Celtic’s Auston Trusty.
After just having a snap shot saved from a corner, the defender brilliantly takes down the ball at the back post and rifles in a shot at the near-post.
He sprints straight over to the bench. Stunning scenes in LA!
Turkey 0-1 USA
03:06 , Alan Smith
6’ - Turkey are already looking very ragged, the American second-string desperate to leave their mark on a home World Cup. Pochettino’s men are quicker to every loose ball so far against an opponent that seems in a rush to return home.
GOAL! Turkey 0-1 USA (Trusty, 3)
03:03 , Alan Smith
What a start, The second corner is swung in deep by Berhalter. Trusty, left unmarked, takes it down with a lovely first touch and he slams home with his left foot.
Turkey 0-0 USA
03:02 , Alan Smith
1’ - With less than a minute on the clock, Reyna smashes a shot goalwards. It is blocked for a corner and he immediately commands the home fans to raise the noise further.
Turkey make a mess of dealing with the corner, failing to clear, and Trusty has a shot that is blocked. Another corner follows.
Kick-off! Turkey 0-0 USA
03:00 , Alan Smith
1’ - And we’re underway in LA.
Turkey are in white with a bit of red, USA are in their dark blue strip.
02:57 , Alan Smith
The USA will be hoping that their performance is a little more synchronised than the anthem, which was very loud but sounded mismatched between music and lyrics.
Both sides are now going through the remaining formalities.
Nearly time
02:54 , Alan Smith
Here come the teams. We’re almost ready for the conclusion of Group D
World Cup debutants
02:50 , Alan Smith
Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson (pictured) are making their World Cup debuts here - and this is could be as enjoyable and low pressure as they come.
Belter of a venue
02:47 , Kieran Jackson in Los Angeles
I must say, this is some arena.
70,000 people will be packed inside here for the USA’s third and final group game against the already-eliminated Turkey.
A huge group of fans were chanting “USA, USA” as I went through security - you can sense the excitement of the fans as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look to make it three wins from three.
That being said, the Argentine has made nine changes - the fourth-most from game-to-game in World Cup history. Only Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi remain.
Poch's shuffle
02:40 , Alan Smith
Pochettino has changed nine players for this one, giving some of his fringe players a chance to impress while resting all four players who have been shown a yellow card. The risk of suspension is removed at the end of the group stage so do not expect Chris Richards, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson or Flo Balogun to appear here.
Tonight's referee...
02:34 , Alan Smith
... is Mustapha Ghorbal from Algeria.
This is his second World Cup having taken charge of two matches in Qatar with another pair of games as fourth official.
He was in charge for Scotland’s win over Haiti in Foxborough earlier in the tournament.
Australia and Paraguay's permutations
02:28 , Alan Smith
A winner between Australia and Paraguay will qualify for the knockouts for certain on six points, while the losers’ fate (with three points) might only become clear by the end of the group stage.
However, if the game is a draw, Australia and Paraguay would both finish on four points, with goal difference finally coming into play. Given Australia’s is 0 and Paraguay’s is -2 – with these remaining the same in the case of a draw – Australia would qualify in second place ahead of Paraguay.
As such, Paraguay would be left waiting on other results to confirm if they will advance with four points - although it would be almost guaranteed.
Pulisic rested
02:22 , Alan Smith
The poster boy of US Soccer will not be risked from the start tonight as he manages a niggle - but he looked quite relaxed when Pochettino’s squad observed the pitch upon arriving
How to watch tonight's match
02:16 , Alan Smith
In the US, the game will air live on Fox and Telemundo. ITV1 and ITVX will show the action in the UK, with STV and STV Player showing the game in Scotland specifically.
USA v Bosnia-Herzegovina confirmed
02:11 , Alan Smith
The USA have already learned of their opponents in the last-32 tonight - results elsewhere means they will take on Bosnia in San Francisco at 1am BST next Thursday morning.
Anticipation building
02:06 , Alan Smith
USA fans are beginning to make their way into the stadium in Los Angeles and you cannot move for the sight of the stars and stripes.
Is there a problem with the World Cup ball?
02:00 , Will Castle
On numerous instances has the same type of goal flown in during the first two rounds of the group stage. They all relate to rising, driven shots that go above shoulder height, and are often not heading right for the top corner. Goalkeepers are diving across to save these shots and are crucially getting a hand to the ball – but when they make contact, it’s not in the right place and the ball simply passes through, as if they’ve misjudged the flight.
This happened to England’s Jordan Pickford against Croatia, who got to Martin Baturina’s effort but failed to keep it out. Algeria’s Luca Zidane and Senegal’s Edouard Mendy also endured similar goal-allowing incidents in their nations’ openers. Now Iraq’s Ahmed Basil let Kylian Mbappe breach his defences in the same manner, making the distance only to parry the French superstar’s shot further into the corner rather than away from his goal.
You can point the finger at the keepers’ inadequacies if you like, but those in the know think something greater is at play.
“I’m seeing this goal way too many times for a World Cup for there not to be something up with that football,” former England international goalkeeper Joe Hart said in a piece of passionate half-time analysis during France’s 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday night. “As soon as they're not using the curling technique, as soon as that ball is not moving, it's not spinning, the goalkeepers are struggling.”
Is there a problem with the World Cup ball? Why goalkeepers are struggling
World Cup 2026: USA v Turkey head-to-head
01:44 , Jamie Braidwood
This will be the fourth time the USA and Turkey have played, but it will be their first competitive encounter.
They previously met twice in pre-World Cup friendlies, with the USA winning 2-1 in May 2010 and then again in early June 2014.
Turkey won their last encounter, though, also a 2-1 victory last June. Turkey were one of the fancied sides before the World Cup but have been disappointing.
Turkey XI confirmed
01:43 , Alan Smith
Cakir; Celik, Kabak, Bardakci, Elmali; Ozcan, Kokcu; Aydin, Guler, Yildiz; Yilmaz.
USA XI confirmed
01:40 , Alan Smith
Starting us off to finish strong. 💪#USMNT x The @HomeDepot pic.twitter.com/JluHifOnWb
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 26, 2026
Is Turkey v USA on TV? Channel, kick-off time and how to watch World Cup 2026 match
01:29 , Jamie Braidwood
USA look to round out their group-stage campaign with a third win from as many games, as the World Cup co-hosts take on the already-eliminated Turkey.
Expectations around USA were measured coming into this tournament, but Mauricio Pochettino’s team have gotten off to a flying start, dismantling Paraguay 4-1 before seeing off Australia 2-0.
Meanwhile, Turkey fell 2-0 to Australia in their opener before losing 1-0 to 10-man Paraguay in their next game.
In the US, the game will air live on Fox and Telemundo. ITV1 and ITVX will show the action in the UK.
USA v Turkey: Getting closer to kick-off
01:14 , Jamie Braidwood
It’s been a dream start to the World Cup for the United States. With excitement around the USMNT growing, can they continue their momentum against Turkey in Los Angeles to bolster their emerging status as tournament contenders?
The USA, on paper, have nothing to play for. After wins over Paraguay and Turkey, they are safely through to the knockout stages as winners of Group D. Turkey, too, have no skin in the game. They are already out after two defeats.
But the USA will want to fuel the belief that this could be a special summer, as Mauricio Pochettino’s team returns to the So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles, the scene of their impressive opening victory over Paraguay.
Kick off is at 5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET, which works out to 3am BST.
Mauricio Pochettino set to rest key players who are on yellow cards
Friday 26 June 2026 00:59 , Jamie Braidwood
For the USMNT tonight, some team news decisions are blindingly obvious. Four key players – Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Chris Richards – are a booking away from being suspended for the last-32. Expect them to watch on from the bench.
"I think it's an easy answer for the guys that have yellow cards," Mauricio Pochettino said, at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. "I think it's unnecessary to take a risk and then take another yellow card and be not available for the next stage. I think that is a little bit of a normal and easy answer to not play with them from the beginning."
It's clear where the USMNT's priorities lie
Friday 26 June 2026 00:44 , Jamie Braidwood
Such has been the USA’s dominance in Group D and the questionable tie-break switch from goal-difference to head-to-head top spot is already wrapped up.
Contrastingly, Thursday’s opponents at the Los Angeles Stadium, perennial underachievers Turkey, are guaranteed to finish bottom even if they thrash the US later tonight.
It makes the contest a largely unsatisfying dead rubber, even in an expanded tournament where third-place could be enough for a knockout berth.
But for Mauricio Pochettino, it’s less a dead rubber and more a free hit. While there will be temptation to maintain the status quo and a perfect group-stage record, the US boss is set to rotate his starting XI.
They already know their last-32 match-up will be in Santa Clara next Wednesday against a high-ranked third-place team (which would currently be Bosnia and Herzegovina). Rest and rotation are clearly the priority.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic hoping to play a part against Turkey
Friday 26 June 2026 00:14 , Jamie Braidwood
Christian Pulisic said he was feeling positive about his recovery from a calf injury and hopes to play a role in the United States' final World Cup group match against Turkey on Thursday, though his availability remains uncertain.
"I'm feeling good," Pulisic told reporters at the U.S. training camp on Wednesday. “I joined with the team in the last few days, so I'm feeling good, feeling positive, and hopefully I'll be able to play a part tomorrow."
Will Christian Pulisic return for USMNT after calf injury?
Thursday 25 June 2026 23:44 , Jamie Braidwood
The major question revolves around USA star Christian Pulisic, who was substituted at half-time in their opening win over Paraguay before missing the victory against Australia altogether.
“It was impossible for him today to play,” Mauricio Pochettino said, referring to the forward’s hamstring injury. “We hope that next game he will be available, but if we want to win the competition, we need the whole team. All of the players need to be important but of course Christian is one of the best players in the world and I hope that he can recover as soon as possible and can show it on the pitch and help the team.”
What do Australia and Paraguay need to qualify for the World Cup knockouts from Group D?
Thursday 25 June 2026 23:14 , Jamie Braidwood
On Thursday, Australia and Paraguay will clash in each team’s final group game of the World Cup 2026, with automatic qualification up for grabs for one of them.
Australia started their Group D campaign with a 2-0 win over Turkey, while Paraguay fell 4-1 to co-hosts USA. Then, on gameday 2, Australia were beaten 2-0 by USA, while Paraguay saw off Turkey 1-0 despite going down to 10 men.
Due to a change in rules for this World Cup, the second deciding factor in the final table of a group (after points of course) is the head-to-head record between teams – not goal difference, as was the case in previous years.
With this in mind, USA have already sewn up top spot and qualified for the knockout stage, and Turkey have already been eliminated, ahead of the tie between those nations on Thursday.
But what of Australia and Paraguay?
What do Australia and Paraguay need to qualify for World Cup knockouts from Group D?
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
