INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The United States advanced to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite suffering a 3-2 defeat to Türkiye in its final Group D match, with the result leaving the Americans atop the group after earlier victories had already secured qualification, tournament officials and U.S. Soccer said.
The loss on Thursday at SoFi Stadium did not alter the United States' place in the standings after the team had earned wins over Paraguay and Australia in its opening two matches. The United States is scheduled to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1, according to FIFA's tournament schedule and U.S. Soccer.
Türkiye came from behind after conceding an early goal, with the United States twice responding before a stoppage-time winner handed the visitors their first victory of the tournament. Defender Auston Trusty and midfielder Sebastian Berhalter scored for the Americans, while Türkiye's goals came from Arda Güler, Orkun Kökçü and Kaan Ayhan, whose late strike decided the match.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino rotated much of his starting lineup after qualification had already been secured, resting several regular starters and seeking to avoid further yellow-card suspensions before the knockout phase, according to match reports and the coach's post-match comments.
Speaking after the match, Pochettino rejected suggestions that the defeat overshadowed his team's progress through the group stage.
"We won the group," Pochettino told reporters. "We need to be happy because we finished first."
Players also emphasized that the team remained focused on the next stage of the tournament. Before the final group match, goalkeeper Matt Freese said the squad's attention would quickly shift after securing advancement, while other players described taking "one game at a time" as the team's approach throughout the competition.
The United States finished the group stage with two wins and one loss, marking the third time the men's national team has finished first in its World Cup group, according to U.S. Soccer. The result also sends the host nation into the expanded 48-team tournament's Round of 32 as preparations begin for the single-elimination phase.
Tournament organizers confirmed the United States will continue its World Cup campaign with its knockout-round fixture next week, while Türkiye was eliminated despite its victory.
