June 25, 2026Updated June 26, 2026, 8:38 a.m. ET
INGLEWOOD, CA — The U.S. men’s national team fell 3-2 to Turkey in its final World Cup group stage match at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.
The game appeared destined to end in a draw, but substitute Kaan Ayhan scored with literally the last kick of the game to stun the USMNT.
The result was academic, with the USMNT already advancing as group winner before the match and Turkey already eliminated.
But it was still a blow for the U.S. as it looks ahead to a round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1.
Auston Trusty opened the scoring just three minutes in, giving the U.S. yet another early goal at this World Cup. But Turkey struck right back, taking the lead through goals from Arda Guler and then Orkun Kokcu.
The USMNT drew level just minutes into the second half thanks to Sebastian Berhalter, whose clean hit from the top of the box leveled the game.
USA TODAY Sports had live coverage of the USA-Turkey match from Southern California:
USA vs. Turkey highlights
GOAL TURKEY!! KAAN AYHAN WINS IT!
Turkey has won this game with the last kick!! It’s Ayhan who slides home at the back post after a cross from Uzun. That is it here as the U.S. falls 3-2 to end the group stage on a low.
Trusty gets injured
Trusty goes down injured after a challenge from Aydın. He appears to twist his ankle and is down for a few minutes. The stretcher comes out but Trusty is up and limps off the field. He eventually is able to return.
Pulisic just wide!
So nearly the go-ahead goal for Pulisic, who rifles a shot just wide of the far post.
77′ – Triple change for USA
The U.S. makes a triple sub. Freeman, Zendejas and Dest coming in. This will be a World Cup debut for Zendejas.
Reyna, Aaronson and Scally coming out.
Why USA sucking wind vs. Turkey is not the end of the world
This has been a better second-half display, but Nancy Armour explains that even if the U.S. doesn’t get the result, it’s not end of the world.
Read the column HERE.
Pulisic hits the post!
Another big chance as Pulisic nearly accidentally scores, but the ball ricochets off him and off the post, with Cakir looking to get a touch.
Chance USA!
Pulisic takes a touch past the right back after a great cross-field switch from Berhalter, bearing in on goal before his shot is saved. The rebound bounces out nicely to Aaronson, who somehow skews his shot well wide right.
Here comes Pulisic
Pulisic is going to get a good runout here after missing the Australia game with a calf injury. The crowd roars as he comes onto the pitch in the 58th minute, replacing Weah.
USA looking to manage the game
USA trying to get some possession after drawing level, keeping Turkey’s dangerous attackers away from the attacking areas.
GOAL USA! Sebastian Berhalter!
Berhalter draws the U.S. level with a great driven strike! A long throw in was only partially cleared and the midfielder slammed it home at the near post from the top of the box. Unreal hit and it’s 2-2.
Second half kickoff – USA 1-2 Turkey
We are underway in the second half. No changes for either side.
USA completing passes — but it’s suiting Turkey
Turkey had a ton of the ball against Paraguay and Australia, but little attacking success. By contrast, the U.S. has passed the ball around plenty, which seems to be suiting Turkey.
Paris Hilton gallery
Want to see Paris Hilton bring out the match ball in a bedazzled 1994 denim kit? Of course you do!
HALFTIME: USA 1-2 Turkey
That’s halftime. The U.S. got off to another hot start but this time couldn’t make it stick, seeing it’s back line victimized twice by an incisive Turkey attack.
Trusty nearly with a second
It could have been an unlikely double for Trusty, who rises well from a corner but just heads over.
McKennie with a strike from range
Good hit from McKennie from long distance, but an easy save for Cakir.
38′ – USA 1-2 Turkey
The U.S. seems a bit shellshocked by the Turkish attack, which is growing in confidence. Guler is especially playing with plenty of flair and skill.
GOAL TURKEY! Orkun Kokcu!
Turkey has the lead and the U.S. is behind for the first time at this World Cup. It’s Korku with the close-range finish after a great Turkey passing move cuts the U.S. back line apart. Turkey is up 2-1.
USA goal disallowed
McKenzie scores from close range off a rebound from a corner kick but he is offside by a good amount.
Hydration break
We have reached the hydration break, which the fans roundly boo as per new World Cup tradition.
Berhalter must be careful
Right after his yellow, Berhalter commits another foul. He’ll have to be careful playing with a caution.
Yellow card Berhalter
Berhalter takes a loose touch and he plants his studs into Ozcan’s ankle, with the Turkey midfielder down. It’s an early yellow for the U.S. midfielder.
16′ – USA 1-1 Turkey
Turkey continues to press high up the field, putting pressure on a U.S. back line that can at times be shaky. Good response from the visitors.
GOAL TURKEY! Arda Guler!
Turkey strikes right back 10 minutes in and it’s not a great moment for McKenzie, who lets the ball roll by him and then lets Guler behind him to finish from close range after a pass from Yilmaz. It’s quickly 1-1.
Turkey didn’t answer the bell
The USA was all over Turkey from the first second, nearly scoring even before Trusty’s goal. Turkey came out flat and paid the price already.
GOAL USA! Auston Trusty!
Once again the USA gets on the board early. This time it’s not an own goal though, but Auston Trusty, an unlikely scorer! The defender gets on the end of a corner kick and takes it down at the back post, then fires a bouncing ball home at the near post.
Kickoff!
We are underway here at SoFi Stadium!
Paris Hilton brings out the match ball
Paris Hilton is on the field with a bedazzled kit to bring out the official match ball.
Players on the field
The players are on the field as the giant flags are unfurled. The USMNT will be wearing its dark blue kits for the first time at the World Cup.
Fans filling in
It looks like it’s going to be another full house here at SoFi, with almost every seat filled 15 minutes before kickoff.
USMNT lineup today
Pochettino goes with a near-full rotation, making nine changes from the Australia game.
Turner; Trusty, M. Robinson, McKenzie, Scally; Berhalter, Reyna, McKennie; Aaronson, Pepi, Weah
Turkey lineup today
USA vs Turkey gallery
USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina is official
The matchup we knew was likely is now confirmed: The USMNT will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, July 1 in the round of 32. The match will take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Read the story HERE.
USA vs Turkey referees
Who is the man in the middle for this match? Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal will take charge tonight.
Read about all the referees right HERE.
How to watch USA soccer vs Turkey
The game is airing on Fox, but you can also watch on Fubo or the Fox One App. Spanish language broadcasts are available on Telemundo and Peacock.
Watch every World Cup game with Fubo
What time is USA soccer game tonight?
The matchup kicks off at 10 p.m. ET.
Where is USA vs Turkey World Cup game?
The Group D match is being held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Who could USA face in World Cup round of 16?
The USMNT knows that it will almost certainly face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32. But what about if they win that game? Check out the potential last-16 opponents HERE.
World Cup standings LIVE
Follow all of the latest updates and standings right HERE.
Is Turkey out of the World Cup?
Turkey has been eliminated after two games, but will still hope to score its first goal of the tournament and earn at least its first point tonight.
Turkey has remarkably taken 62 total shots at this tournament — more than any other side through two games — and still has yet to find the net.
Which USMNT players are on yellow cards, face possible suspension?
At the World Cup, if a player receives two yellow cards during the group stage, he is suspended for the following game, even if it’s in the knockout stage.
Yellow cards, however, do reset after the group stage. The U.S. have a number of important players on yellows, who may be rested against Turkey considering the risks and Group D already in hand.
Here are the U.S. players with yellow cards:
- Midfielder Tyler Adams picked up a yellow card in the 59th minute vs. Paraguay.
- Defender Antonee Robinson picked up a yellow card in the 56th minute vs. Australia.
- Striker Folarin Balogun picked up a yellow card in the 89th minute vs. Australia.
- Defender Chris Richards picked up a yellow card in second-half stoppage time vs. Australia.
Does USA have anything to play for vs Turkey in World Cup tonight?
IRVINE, CA — Does the U.S. men’s national team have anything to play for against Turkey on Thursday night?
That is a question that has several different answers.
Let’s start with the most basic one. In terms of the standings, the answer is no. And that is something that has never happened before.
Is Alex Freeman the USMNT’s unicorn?
INGLEWOOD, CA — Alex Freeman just might be the U.S. men’s national team’s most impactful player.
For years, American soccer fans have been lamenting the gap between the USMNT and the rest of the world. If only our best athletes chose soccer over football or basketball, if only a LeBron or a McCaffrey played soccer, we’d be right there with the Argentinas and Frances.
Freeman is that long-awaited unicorn.
In addition to a skillset that has taken the right back from an MLS reserve team to a World Cup starter in less than 18 months, Freeman’s father is a Super Bowl champion. If soccer is good enough for the son of an NFL star – Antonio Freeman led the league in yards receiving in 1998 and once held the record for longest TD reception in the Super Bowl – it could change the thinking of American kids.
– Nancy Armour
USA vs Turkey predictions, expert picks
Seth Vertelney: Turkey 1-1 USA
The USA will want to keep momentum going, though it will be fielding a reserve-heavy side after clinching the group. Getting a third straight win may be tough against a wounded Turkish side.
Jon Arnold: Turkey 1-2 USA
That goal finally comes for Turkey, but a rotated U.S. still is able to find a way to win and keep the good vibes going into the Round of 32.
Victoria Hernandez: Turkey 1-2 USA
The United States don’t need to play at full force with the group already locked up, but they’re on too much of a high for Turkey to compete.
World Cup Group D standings
Here’s how the Group D standings look after two matches (goal differential in parentheses):
- *USA: 2-0-0 (+5) – 6 points
- Australia: 1-1-0 (0) – 3 points
- Paraguay: 1-1-0 (-2) – 3 points
- Turkey: 0-2-0 (-3) – 0 points, eliminated
*-clinched spot in Round of 32
USA World Cup odds vs Turkey
Has Turkey won a World Cup?
Turkey has never won the World Cup, finishing in third place at the 2002 tournament. This marks the country’s first appearance at the World Cup since.
World Cup standings
Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.
