USA falls 3-2 to Turkey in final group match, advances to round of 32
The United States lost to Turkey on a last-minute goal in their final Group D game, securing the group winner spot and preparing for a round-of-32 clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The United States men’s national team was defeated 3-2 by Turkey in the final Group D match of the 2026 World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Turkey’s substitute Kaan Ayhan scored with the last kick of the game to complete a comeback after the United States had taken an early lead.
Auston Trusty opened the scoring for the United States in the third minute, but Turkey responded with goals from Arda Güler and Orkun Koç çu to take a 2-1 lead. The United States equalised in the second half when Sebastian Berhalter struck from the top of the box. The match remained level until Ayhan’s decisive finish in stoppage time.
The result did not affect the standings, as the United States had already secured first place in the group and Turkey was eliminated. The United States now prepares for a round-of-32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
"We’ll regroup and focus on the next game," a U.S. team spokesperson said after the match.
The game featured several injuries, including an ankle twist for Trusty, and a number of substitutions, with Alex Freeman, Zendejas and Dest making their World Cup debuts for the United States.
