For 97 minutes, SoFi Stadium believed. Then, on the very last kick of the night, the ball squirmed over the line and 70,492 voices fell silent. The USA soccer FIFA World Cup story took its first sour turn on June 25, 2026, as Turkiye stole a 3-2 win in the dying seconds. Yet here is the twist: the result barely mattered. The US had already won its group. This is the story of a strange, thrilling night, and what it means for what comes next.
| Quick Answer In their final Group D game, the US men’s national team lost 3-2 to Turkiye at SoFi Stadium on June 25, 2026, beaten by Kaan Ayhan’s goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The result did not change anything, since the US had already clinched first place in the group by beating Paraguay and Australia. Coach Mauricio Pochettino rested most of his starters. Christian Pulisic returned from injury off the bench. The US now plays Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1. |
Key Takeaways
- In the USA soccer FIFA World Cup group finale, the US lost 3-2 to Turkiye on the final kick.
- It did not matter for standings: the US had already won Group D.
- Pochettino rested key starters, including four on yellow cards, and fielded nine new faces.
- Christian Pulisic returned from a calf injury off the bench and hit the post.
- The US advances to the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1.
What Happened at SoFi Stadium
It was meant to be a celebration. A crowd of 70,492 packed SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to watch the US close out a perfect group stage. For most of the night, they got their wish.
The US led early, fell behind, then clawed back to 2-2. The game stayed level deep into stoppage time. Then, in the eighth added minute, Turkiye substitute Kaan Ayhan poked home during a goalmouth scramble. The final whistle blew seconds later. As ESPN reported, it was the US team’s first defeat of this World Cup.
| Worth Knowing Turkiye had not scored a single goal in its first two games. On this night, they scored three. Football has a cruel sense of timing, and the US ran into it at the worst possible moment. |
Why the Loss Did Not Matter
Here is the part that softens the blow. The US had already won Group D before kickoff. Wins over Paraguay and Australia had locked up first place, so this game could not change their position or their path.
That freedom shaped everything. Coach Mauricio Pochettino rested most of his first-choice players. Four regular starters who were carrying yellow cards sat out entirely, a smart move to avoid a suspension that would carry into the knockout round. Nine new starters took the field.
| Good to Know A yellow card in the group stage carries over. A second one means a one-game ban. By sitting his booked players, Pochettino made sure his best lineup is fully available for the knockout games that actually decide the tournament. |
The Pulisic Return
If there was one moment that lifted the crowd, it was the sight of Christian Pulisic jogging to the touchline. The team’s biggest star had been sidelined by a calf injury since the opener. When he came on in the 58th minute, SoFi roared and rose to its feet.
Pulisic did not score, but he looked sharp and dangerous. He struck the post with one effort and forced a fine save from the Turkish keeper with another. For US fans, his fitness is the real headline of the night, far more important than the scoreline.
| The Standout Pulisic is the US team’s talisman, with 33 goals in 87 international games. Getting him minutes and confidence before the knockout round may prove the most valuable thing to come out of this match. |
How the Goals Went In
It was a breathless, end-to-end match. Here is the sequence that took the US from dreamland to heartbreak.
| Minute | What Happened |
| 3rd | Auston Trusty fires the US ahead off a Sebastian Berhalter corner |
| 10th | Turkiye levels it through Arda Guler |
| 31st | Guler strikes again to make it 2-1 Turkiye |
| 49th | Berhalter smashes a stunning equalizer from outside the box |
| 90+8 | Kaan Ayhan pokes home the winner on the final kick |
The US actually dominated much of the game. They held more possession, took 19 shots to Turkiye’s 10, and won nine corners to two. On another night, they win comfortably. On this night, they did not take their chances, and one moment of Turkish quality settled it.
The USA Soccer FIFA World Cup Group D Story So Far
Step back, and the bigger picture is bright. Despite the loss, this was the best US group stage of the modern era. Here is how the three games went.
| Match | Result | Outcome |
| USA vs Paraguay | 4-1 win | Statement start |
| USA vs Australia | 2-0 win | Group lead secured |
| USA vs Turkiye | 2-3 loss | Group already won, starters rested |
Two convincing wins, a group title, and only a dead-rubber loss with a second-string team. For a tournament on home soil, that is a strong, confidence-building start, even with the sour final note.
Why Did the US Still Lose This Game?
The US lost mainly because Pochettino rested his first-choice players to protect them for the knockout round, fielding nine new starters and sitting four who were on yellow cards. The reserve side played well and led twice, but lacked the sharpness to finish, and Turkiye grabbed a winner on the final kick. With the group already won, winning this match was never the priority.
| Quick Take No US men’s team has ever won all three group games at a World Cup. The dream of a perfect group stage ended here, but the team got something more useful: rest, fitness, and a healthy Pulisic. |
What Comes Next: Bosnia and Herzegovina
The real tournament starts now. As group winners, the US moves into the Round of 32, where a single loss ends everything. Their opponent is Bosnia and Herzegovina, who finished third in their group.
The match is set for July 1, 2026, in the Bay Area. Expect Pochettino’s first-choice players to return, rested and unsuspended, with Pulisic building toward full fitness. If you are planning to follow along, our guide to the best Google tools for the World Cup shows easy ways to catch live scores and updates on your phone.
The USA soccer FIFA World Cup journey hit a strange speed bump against Turkiye, a last-kick loss that stung the crowd but barely dented the campaign. The US won its group, rested its stars, and got Pulisic back on the field.
Now the knockout round begins, and everything changes. One game, win or go home, against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. The perfect group stage is gone, but the bigger dream, on home soil, is very much alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the USA soccer FIFA World Cup result against Turkiye?
The US lost 3-2 to Turkiye in their final Group D match on June 25, 2026, at SoFi Stadium. Kaan Ayhan scored the winner in the eighth minute of stoppage time, handing the US its first defeat of the tournament.
Did the US still qualify for the knockout round?
Yes. The US had already won Group D before this game by beating Paraguay and Australia. The loss to Turkiye did not change their position, and they advance to the Round of 32 as group winners.
Why did Pochettino rest his starters?
With the group already won, Pochettino rested most first-choice players to keep them fresh and avoid injuries. Four starters on yellow cards sat out to dodge a suspension that would carry into the knockout round.
Did Christian Pulisic play against Turkiye?
Yes. Pulisic came on as a substitute in the 58th minute, returning from a calf injury suffered in the opener. He did not score but looked sharp, hit the post, and forced a save, a positive sign for the knockouts.
Who does the US play next in the World Cup?
The US faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1, 2026, in the Bay Area. As group winners, the US is now in single-elimination play, where one loss ends their tournament.
Has the US ever won all three World Cup group games?
No. No US men’s national team has ever won all three group games at a World Cup. The 2026 side came close with wins over Paraguay and Australia before the dead-rubber loss to Turkiye ended the perfect run.
