U.S. Men's Team Advances Despite 3-2 Loss to Turkey in World Cup Group D Finale

The United States men's national team lost 3-2 to Turkey in their Group D finale at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, but advanced to the knockout stage as group winners after earlier victories over Paraguay and Australia. Turkey, already eliminated from the tournament, scored the decisive goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time through veteran defender Kaan Ayhan following a scramble in the penalty area. Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler and winger Baris Alper Yilmaz had put Turkey ahead 2-1 in the first half, while U.S. defenders Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter scored to keep the match competitive. Güler's performance was particularly noteworthy, as the 21-year-old became Turkey's youngest World Cup goalscorer and later set up Ayhan's winning goal with a nutmeg of Christian Pulisic.

Christian Pulisic, the U.S. team's star forward, returned to action in the 58th minute after missing two matches with a left calf injury sustained during training before the tournament began. Despite his limited time on the field, Pulisic created several scoring opportunities and looked comfortable in his first match action in 13 days, energizing the American attack with dynamic runs from the left flank. Pulisic was instrumental in setting up potential chances, including a late pass to Ricardo Pepi in injury time, though neither materialized into goals.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino fielded nine new starters in the low-stakes match, resting key players including midfielder Tyler Adams, forward Folarin Balogun, and defenders Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson, all of whom were one yellow card away from suspension. Turkey also rotated heavily with seven changes to its lineup. The victory marked Turkey's only win of the tournament and provided some consolation after losses to Paraguay and Australia. For the United States, the loss was of minimal consequence given their group status was already secured.

The United States has now scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, surpassing its previous tournament records of seven goals in both 1930 and 2002. The team will face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, July 1, in San Francisco. This marks the first time the United States and Turkey have met at a World Cup, and the Americans will enter the knockout stage seeking to win only their second knockout-round match in World Cup history.