Live Blog! Turkey vs United States in the FIFA World Cup 2026
The Stars and Stripes are aiming to make history with a perfect group-stage campaign, while Turkey is determined to spoil the party and bow out of the tournament with pride.
Thanks for joining us for this historic live blog of Turkey vs. the United States, Matchday 3 of Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup! Stay with beIN SPORTS for complete coverage of football's biggest tournament.
FULL TIME
Turkey claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over the United States to end their World Cup campaign on a high.
It is the European side's only win of the tournament in their return to the World Cup after a 24-year absence. They exit in the group stage after opening with defeats to Australia and Paraguay.
Still, Turkey bow out with their heads held high after ending the co-hosts' perfect group-stage record. Mauricio Pochettino's decision to rotate his squad ultimately proved costly.
It is only Turkey's sixth victory across three World Cup appearances, and their first since securing a historic third-place finish at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, when they also defeated South Korea by a 3-2 scoreline.
Final Score: Turkey 3-2 United States
90+8' — GOAL! TURKEY WIN IT AT THE DEATH!
Kaan Ayhan scores a dramatic last-gasp winner for Turkey.
The move began with a throw-in down the right and featured a brilliant nutmeg and one-on-one from Arda Güler to beat Christian Pulisic. After the attack continued, Can Uzun fired a low cross back across the six-yard box following Salih Özcan's delivery, while Eren Elmalı cleverly dragged defenders away in the middle.
Ayhan, who had only entered the match in the 88th minute, arrived at the back post to slot home the winner and spark wild celebrations.
Score: Turkey 3-2 United States
90' — BOTH SIDES EMPTY THE BENCH
Turkey use all five substitutions:
- Can Uzun for Kenan Yıldız (84')
- Çağlar Söyüncü for Zeki Çelik (84')
- Kaan Ayhan for Orkun Kökçü (88')
- Mert Müldür for Oğuz Aydın (90+1')
- İrfan Can Kahveci and Barış Alper Yılmaz also make way in stoppage time.
The United States respond with four more changes:
- Sergiño Dest for Giovanni Reyna (76')
- Alejandro Zendejas for Brenden Aaronson (76')
- Alex Freeman for Joe Scally (76')
- Malik Tillman for Weston McKennie (86')
Score: Turkey 2-2 United States
58' — CHRISTIAN PULISIC ENTERS
After naming a heavily rotated starting lineup, Mauricio Pochettino turns to his captain.
Christian Pulisic replaces Timothy Weah as the United States search for a winner.
Score: Turkey 2-2 United States
49' — GOAL! UNITED STATES LEVEL!
Sebastian Berhalter brings the United States back into the match.
The Sporting Kansas City midfielder unleashes a powerful, low strike from outside the penalty area after failed clearances by Abdülkerim Bardakcı and Orkun Kökçü, sending the Los Angeles crowd into celebration.
Berhalter finishes the match with both a goal and an assist.
Score: Turkey 2-2 United States
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY!
The second half is underway with no changes from either manager.
Can Turkey hold on to their lead?
Score: Turkey 2-1 United States
31' — GOAL! TURKEY TAKE THE LEAD!
Barış Alper Yılmaz puts Turkey in front.
The forward arrives in the middle of the box to finish off an excellent team move involving Kenan Yıldız, Arda Güler, and Orkun Kökçü, whose cutback from the byline sets up the easy finish.
Score: Turkey 2-1 United States
10' — GOAL! ARDA GÜLER EQUALIZES!
Arda Güler gets Turkey back on level terms.
The Real Madrid star launches the attack before combining brilliantly with Barış Alper Yılmaz, who bursts down the right and returns the favor for Güler to finish the move.
Score: Turkey 1-1 United States
8' — YELLOW CARD FOR THE UNITED STATES
Sebastian Berhalter is shown the first booking of the match for a late challenge.
Score: Turkey 0-1 United States
3' — GOAL! UNITED STATES STRIKE EARLY!
Auston Trusty gives the Americans a dream start.
A corner from Sebastian Berhalter finds the Celtic defender unmarked at the back post, and Trusty drills a first-time finish across goal to open the scoring.
Score: Turkey 0-1 United States
KICKOFF!
We're underway at Los Angeles Stadium, the most expensive stadium ever built.
The co-host United States are chasing a perfect group-stage record, while Turkey are hoping to end their World Cup campaign with a victory.
Score: Turkey 0-0 United States
USMNT STARTING XL
TURKEY STARTING XL
THE ATMOSPHERE
The excitement is building at Los Angeles Stadium ahead of tonight's Group D finale. The United States, already through as group winners, is chasing a perfect record in the group stage, while Turkey will be looking to spoil the party and bow out of the tournament on a high note after being eliminated.
Welcome to our live blog of Turkey vs. United States, the Group D Matchday 3 showdown at the FIFA World Cup 2026!
🏟️ When and Where
- Date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM (ET) / 7:00 PM (PT)
- City: Los Angeles, United States
- Stadium: Los Angeles Stadium (Inglewood)
📺 How to Watch Türkiye vs United States
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🇹🇷 Türkiye's Preview
Turkey arrives at their last match in Group D already eliminated, after two consecutive defeats that left them with no chance of advancing. Vincenzo Montella's team faces the match against the United States solely for honor and the chance to bid farewell with a better image.
In their previous matches, Turkey lost 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay, showing difficulties in creating danger and maintaining defensive intensity. The lack of goals was decisive, and the European team never managed to settle into the competition.
The initial expectations were placed on young figures like Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz, but the collective performance did not match. Without significant sanctions, the squad remains intact, although morale is shaken.

🇺🇸 United States' Preview
The United States arrives at the end of the group stage with the peace of mind of having already secured qualification and first place in Group D. The team led by Mauricio Pochettino showed solidity and decisiveness in their two matches, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 in their debut and then defeating Australia 2-0, confirming their status as hosts and contenders.
The collective performance was one of the highlights, with an attack led by Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic, plus Gio Reyna's contribution in the creation. In defense, the duo of Robinson and Ream provided security, while Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams dominated the midfield. Without any suspensions or significant injuries, the squad remains intact and in good physical condition.
The goal now is to maintain the level and finish the phase with an ideal score against Turkey. Pochettino insisted that the team must not relax and that each match is an opportunity to keep growing.

⭐ Players to Watch
🇹🇷 Arda Güler
The young attacking midfielder of Real Madrid is the main hope of the Turkish national team. At just 21 years old, he has established himself in the European elite thanks to his refined technique, game vision, and ability to unbalance in tight spaces. His creative role makes him the offensive engine of Turkey, even in a complicated context within the World Cup.
🇺🇸 Christian Pulisic
The winger is the main offensive reference for the North American team. With speed, imbalance, and leadership ability, Pulisic has become the most decisive player on Mauricio Pochettino's team. His current form is solid, he arrives with confidence after scoring and assisting in the first matches of the World Cup, being key for the United States to secure early qualification.
🎯 Final Analysis
The United States enters this matchup as the clear favorite, arriving undefeated, with an ideal score, and a solid performance that positions them as a candidate to continue advancing in the World Cup. The individual quality of players like Pulisic and Balogun, combined with defensive organization and midfield intensity, is a factor that can tip the balance in their favor. Moreover, the support of playing at home reinforces their status as favorites.
However, Turkey still has the possibility of pulling off a surprise. Although it is already eliminated, it has young talents like Arda Güler who are capable of making a difference at any moment.






















