With the United States’ place in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup and first place in Group D assured, one might assume that the team’s final group stage match against Turkey at Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday is, to say the least, inconsequential.
That sentiment isn’t shared within the U.S. men’s national team, which will look to win its third straight World Cup match.
Here’s everything you need to know about USA vs Turkey in their group stage final:
American coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed on Wednesday what everyone already knew: None of the four Americans who received a yellow card in one of the first two group victories will appear in the starting lineup against the already eliminated Turks.
Expect several other stalwarts who came to the World Cup camp either nursing an injury or recently returned from injury – among them Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson and 38-year-old captain Tim Ream – to also get some well-deserved rest. The question that remains unanswered is whether headliner Christian Pulisic will be in Poch’s eleven. Although Pulisic insisted before the final pre-match training session that he was available after recovering from a calf strain, he admitted playing 90 minutes was not likely. The hunch here is that the AC Milan man will come off the bench in the second half. —Doug McIntyre
This week I’m going with striker Ricardo Pepi. He started his first World Cup match last week against Australia with Christian Pulisic out with a calf injury. This week I expect him to do it again given Folarin Balogun is sitting on a yellow card.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Wednesday he plans to rest the four yellow players: Balogun, Chris Richards, Antonee “Jedi” Robinson and Tyler Adams. It’s another huge opportunity for Pepi, who played 74 minutes and helped score an own goal against Australia. In this match he could be the main target and perhaps score his first World Cup goal. -Laken Litman
Goalkeeper: Matt Freese
Left rear: Max Arfsten
Central defender: Faithful Auston
Central defender: Mark McKenzie
Central defender: Miles Robinson
Back: Joe Scally
Central midfielder: Weston McKennie
Central midfielder: Sébastien Berhatler
Attacking midfielder: Brenden Aaronson
Striker: Tim Weah
Striker: Ricardo Pepi
With the American team having already won the group, Mauricio Pochettino will make many changes to his lineup. Even though Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams, Chirs Richards and Antonee “Jedi” Robinson carry yellow cards, they cannot risk suspension by playing. Christian Pulisic is close to returning, but if he is ready to play this game, he should come off the bench. This match is also a great opportunity to rest Tim Ream, who is 38 years old. Once we get there, I think Pochettino rests most of the other starters.
The rest of the programming almost chooses itself. Tim Weah and Brenden Aaronson are long-time veterans who haven’t played as much as they would have liked thus far. They should be hungry to prove themselves. With Adams out and Roldan injured, McKennie and Berhalter pretty much have to start. Meanwhile, Trusty, McKenzie and Robinson represent a neat swap of centre-backs.
As for the goalkeeper, I think Pochettino keeps Freese in the starting XI. Freese needs to maintain a rhythm after facing some shots in the first two games. —Brian Sciaretta
Turkey may be the unluckiest team in the World Cup and they will be feeling bad going into this match. Of all the teams at the bottom of their group, especially those already eliminated, the Turks are probably the most talented.
The team took 62 shots in its first two games without scoring a goal. Against Australia in the first match, Turkey faced a team that defended extremely well and scored quickly. After that the Australians were able to sit back and defend in a low block which was executed really well.
Then, against Paraguay, it was an even earlier goal that put Türkiye on the scoreboard. Then the Turks played against 10 men for 50 minutes but still failed to score.
When you look at Turkey’s xG (expected goals) and total shots, you would be shocked that they lost both matches and didn’t even get a point in either. But realistically, this team is going home after this game, regardless of the result.
Conceding early was particularly difficult for Türkiye. It’s a weird match because the Turks have taken control, so at first you have a feeling of confidence that the goal will come. Then, as the game progresses, it becomes more and more frustrating. —Walker Zimmerman
